Meditation for Recovering People
Leader, please follow this format. Everything that the leader says is in italics.
First: Read the opening aloud:
"Welcome to 12 Step Sangha, Meditation for Recovering People. The meeting is open to people with any addiction, from any 12 step program. For the privacy of our members, we announce ourselves by first name only, without disclosing our particular addiction. Please take a flyer, which lists our website, 12stepsangha.com, and many good meditation resources.
My name is _______ (no addiction identification necessary)
Step 11 says: We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with a Higher Power as we understood it, praying only for knowledge of our Higher Power's will for us and the power to carry that out.
The format of this meeting is 5 minutes of breathing meditation, followed by a short reading of tonight's topic. Then we sit silently to contemplate the topic until 7:30. I'll ring the bell at the beginning and end of the meditation periods.
At 7:30, I'll reread the topic without commenting. I will call on people to share on the topic, as it relates to recovery. The leader shares last.
During the meditation period we ask that everyone be quiet and still out of respect for the practice. If you need to move or leave the room, please do so silently. If there are questions, someone will talk with you after the meeting."
Next: Read the instructions aloud, then ring the bell to begin 5 minutes of opening silence.
INSTRUCTIONS for breathing meditation:
"Please join me for 5 minutes of breathing meditation to focus the mind. For those who are new to meditation, here are some guidelines: Sit with your back straight, feet on the floor, keep your eyes open but still, at about a 45 degree angle in front. Breathing naturally, notice where the air enters your nose... put your attention there... Count ONE on the in breath... as you exhale, count AND on the out breath. Do this up to four, and back down to one. If you lose your place, start back at ONE."
7:05 - Ring the bell to end the 5 minute meditation.
Next: The Leader selects and reads a SHORT topic: one paragraph maximum. Leader may choose from 12 Step literature, their own selection, or from the Book Basket. The leader will KEEP the TOPIC SHORT, not sharing on the topic until everyone else has shared.
Next: 7:10 - After reading your topic, read this aloud:
"We'll meditate silently on the topic until 7:30. Here are some guidelines: Try to let your breath be natural, don't try to change anything. Practice acceptance with what is. From a place of non-judgmental calmness, silently reflect on the topic. Be gentle with yourself. If you get lost, practice counting breaths again to become calm and focused."
Next: Ring the bell to begin the Silent Contemplation.
7:30 - The Secretary will ring the bell to end the meditation and will do announcements, passing the basket.
Next: After Secretary announcements, Read the topic again. One paragraph, without commenting. Read the following aloud:
"The leader shares last, after reflecting on everyone's input. We share about our experience with the meditation on this topic, as it pertains to our recovery. You can pass or share for 2-3 minutes. At 7:55, we'll stop to let the leader share."
Next: 8:00: Closing dedication. Please read the following aloud:
"We remain seated for the closing Dedication, printed on the 3x5 cards. Please join me.
We dedicate the merits of this practice to all suffering addicts.
May everyone be free of suffering, and the causes of suffering.
May everyone enjoy happiness, and the causes of happiness.
Keep coming back, it works."