15 Comments

I love these definitions. Personally, I think of addiction as a separation from self. We are attempting to avoid or escape some aspect of our experience (like challenging thoughts, memories, emotions), which can't be healed until it can be met.

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Absolutely. I agree that "separation" is an inherent part of addiction and healing, in whatever form it takes, re-unites, re-connects, and makes whole once again, but also in a new, never before seen form. One shamanic view of this is called soul loss, which speaks directly to this separation. Thanks for commenting!

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Yes, 'soul loss' I like that 😊

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I’m obsessed! The definitions of addiction from both shaman and Chinese medicine are so on target. I especially love what you would’ve said to your younger self in sobriety, I’m still telling myself the same thing but finally living in the truth of it. Thank you for sharing 💜

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Hey Kasey, thanks for cheering on my takes on the definition of addiction! And glad you've settled into "finally living the truth of it" ; ) Appreciate you!

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I love both definitions! I love the Shamanic definition gives me room to explore too! I am curious, what is your definition of recovery?

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Hmmmm....recovery, eh? Ok, shooting from the hip, and just for today ; ) I've got...Recovery is the ongoing practice of living in right relationship with oneself, others and the world. (And "right relationship" would be not consciously harming and then offering help, and our unique gifts, wherever possible). How's that land? Thanks Jenn!

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Absolutely 100% Thank you Randal

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Hi Jenn! You might appreciate some of the discussion about recovery happening here: https://bowendwelle.substack.com/p/against-recovery/comments#comment-55869610

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Thank you, Dana! I follow your writings too. I have a very wide view of recovery and am always interested in others perspectives as well.

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“It’s not: Boom! Healed. Sure glad that pesky limiting core belief of not-being-enough is gone.”

It most certainly is not. 😂💪🏻

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But...it has been dragged, probably kicking and screaming, into the light of awareness : ) and maybe even revealed for the lie that it is! Thanks Dee

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🙏

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Oh my! This is pure magic.

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Kerry, thank you for your kind words ; ) they're greatly appreciated! Blessings

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