'Tis
the Season: Pagan
Reflections on the Addictive Culture of American Xmas
In America, and increasingly elsewhere, December is
the season for compulsive and conspicuous consumption. Parents who worked 50, 60 hour work weeks all autumn are
desperate to excite their children, to participate vicariously in the
child's delight. Jewelers urge lovers to induce orgasms of greedy delight
with sparkly stones, which may have financed brutal African wars.
All year long, the media have been teaching us to buy attractiveness,
respect, family love, and even spirituality. Before the Halloween stuff is
put on clearance, the stores are already merchandizing Christmas. Now they
move into high gear.
Most Pagans find the religious music of the season disturbing on many
counts, but the secular music is almost worse. And the barrage of
commercials is worst of all.
The advertising business practices two forms of malefic magick: 1) they
attack self-confidence and contentment; 2) they cast an evil glamourie (an
illusion, generated by magic to make something evil appear beautiful; it's
the French origin of the English word "glamour."). This glamourie, binds us
with the illusions that we can buy things to heal these insecurities and
longings, which advertisers have cultivated in our culture.
To buy the things, we work overtime, or take jobs which are wrong for us. We
go into debt, another form of slavery. Then we find that the products don't
give us the meaning we were promised, so we discard them (generating
garbage), and then go for more.
Because we ARE addicted.
And addictions are never satisfied for long.
But addictions DO keep us busy. To busy to think about what we're doing, and
whether we are really enjoying ourselves.
And too busy to be present to one another, to ourselves, to the presence of
the Gods and Goddesses whose bodies are being consumed by our compulsive
consumerism.
And all because we believe -- like almost all Americans -- that we can buy
satisfaction, contentment, love, spirituality.
It's all a very efficient, very subtle form of slavery, an evil enchantment
from which we may have moments of lucidity, but these are fleeting. How
could it be otherwise, when we are immersed in a culture which continually
reinforces the enchantment?
Social psychologists have demonstrated that even the strongest minds begin
to doubt their own perceptions when contradicted by the group of which they
are part. But if one has even one ally to reinforce one's vision, the
subject can resist great mental pressure. A community gathered around
shared purposes reinforces the values of its members. When we are not part
of such an intentional community, we are absorbed readily by the values of
the dominant culture.
It matters who we associate with.
And that is why it is in the interests of the plutocrats for us to cocoon,
to pacify us with "bread and circuses," to live as privately as possible.
Then there will be little to counterbalance the pressures to conform exerted
by the virtual community of the characters on television and the actors in
the commercials.
If we have public space in which to gather, to debate, to organize, to hear
one another, we might develop voluntary associations to meet our needs
instead of being isolated and buying everything we can retail and ala
carte.
We might find that we are happier with more time to savor fewer things. We
might bake more cookies with our children and buy fewer things but use them
better. We might value and support the local musician or artist. We might
become less an audience and more a participant.
But it's unlikely we can retain our lucidity without a community of other
folks who share our values.
A marketing trade 'zene referred to a 1998 report in the Chicago Tribune
estimating that Neo-Paganism is the fastest-growing religion in North
America, with (very approximately) around 750,000 pagans in the US, 36% of
whom are under 25. Compare that figure to 40,000 Quakers and 200,000
Unitarian Universalists (19% of whom identify their primary theological
orientation as "Earth-centered spirituality.) And thousands are right here
in the Twin Cities Metro.
So what's stopping us from creating our own community institutions like a
library, a community center, a seminary, alternative Scout troops, a retreat
center?
Lack of imagination? Trust of one another? Individualism?
All these things are struggling to be born, operating on spare change.
We've all seen the bumper sticker, "The Craft is NOT a Hobby," yet that's
precisely what it is for most of us -- an avocation, something done for
personal pleasure, in spare time only, and with spare change only.
Paganism, Heathenism, Wicca, New Age -- these are identities to many people
who do not feel moved to do more than what is exciting or entertaining at
the moment.
If the thousands of Pagans in the Metro donated 2% of their income to making
these dreams come true, we'd have a community center (or 4 regional ones)
for our youth to go to after school. New Alexandria Library would be
stocked and in better quarters.
There
are some Pagans who give heroically; that's true of most of the leaders I've
met in the Metro. But they can't do it alone.
Magick can't be bought and sold, but Pagans and Wiccans and Wanna-bees
(especially Wanna-bees) spend freely on toys and jewelry and commercial
soothsayers. Not to mention garb and entertainment.
If we want our own sacred space, if we want our own library, our own
"hangouts" for teens, etc., we have the power.
Now if we only had the Magickal Will.
Happy Holidays,
Christa Landon |
|
by
Carolyn Baker
05/16/05 "ICH"
- - In recent article, I
promised readers that I would address the mindset of the religious right as
an addiction. In order to do so with accuracy and clarity, it is first
necessary to define addiction and clarify the terms, Christian
fundamentalism and Dominionism.
According to www.dictionary.com, an addiction is "being abnormally tolerant to and
dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming
(especially alcohol or narcotic drugs) [syn: dependence, dependency, habituation] 2: an abnormally strong craving 3: (Roman law) under
Roman law addiction was the justification for slavery"
For over seventy years, Twelve-Step programs have
addressed issues of addiction not only to substances such as alcohol, drugs,
and food, but to behaviors such as compulsive gambling, shopping, and even
working. After a number of responses to my last article from former
fundamentalist Christians, I began investigating Twelve-Step groups which
address issues of religious compulsion and spiritual abuse. One group I
discovered was Fundamentalists Anonymous (F.A.) and its Twelve Steps. http://www.geocities.com/church_of_hank/fundamentalists_anonymous.html
However, before I examine those steps, I
would like to further define the terrorist and tyrannical aspects of
Christian fundamentalism.
As many readers drew to my attention in response to my
last article, Christian fundamentalism and Dominionism are not necessarily
synonymous. According to Merriam-Webster, Christian fundamentalism is: "a
movement in 20th century Protestantism emphasizing the literally interpreted
Bible as fundamental to Christian life and teaching b : the
beliefs of this movement c : adherence to such beliefs. 2 : a movement or
attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to a set of basic
principles."
Katherine Yurica (www.yuricareport.com)
defines Dominionism as "the conversion of America to a theocracy by taking
over the American Judiciary." I would add that the conquest might begin with
the judiciary, but the Dominonist agenda has targeted all aspects of
government and society for the establishment of a theocracy.
For my purposes, the distinction between
fundamentalist Christianity and Dominionism is incidental because what is
most important to understand is that any religion, philosophy, or belief
system can be addictive, fear-based, and terrorizing, and if it is used to
justify changing the Constitution of the United States and creating a
society in which the laws of that system are also fear-based and
terrorizing, then regardless of the label, fundamentalist or Dominionist,
that system is both terrorist and tyrannical. Whether one wishes to debate
the differences between fundamentalist Christianity and Dominionism or not, both systems are about domination, power, control, right/wrong;
win/lose. Moreover, as in my last article, I am reiterating that terrorism and tyranny, like the word addiction, have much
broader definitions than crashing planes into buildings, establishing a
superior race, or forcing women to cover their faces.
My focus here is on fundamentalist
Christianity and Dominionism as religious systems which complement and
support tyrannical political systems, specifically, fascism. I am well aware
that not all fundamentalist Christians, and certainly not all folks who call
themselves evangelicals, are of the Dominionist variety. Many are
hard-working individuals who pay their bills and follow the rules and
attempt to live the teachings of Jesus. I respect those individuals and
consider them a mitigating force amid the onslaughts of the religious right.
For an in-depth analysis of religious right corruption
and tyranny, I highly recommend the recent article "The Christian Mafia" (http://www.insider-magazine.com/ChristianMafia.htm ) by investigative journalist, Wayne Madsen.
Additionally, my intention in this article is
to explore the addictive features of these systems which ultimately result
not in spiritual well being but spiritual abuse.
Spiritual abuse is the manipulation,
exploitation, and mistreatment-- mentally, emotionally, or physically of
another individual or masses of individuals, in the name of promoting
spiritual principles or values. As we have seen from the rampant sexual
abuse of children in the Roman Catholic Church, spiritual abuse can open the
door to every other kind of abuse. And just as a plethora of Catholic
priests for two thousand years have used their position of authority and
piety to abuse children, countless children in fundamentalist Christian
homes have been beaten, raped, molested, shamed, and emotionally devastated
in the name of "children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right." I
suspect that in the not-too-distant future, we may see revelations of child
abuse in fundamentalist Christian homes and churches break into the light of
day that could pale by comparison the abuse scandal of the Roman Catholic
Church. For the fundamentalist Christian, children too, born into "original
sin," are to be dominated and made into subservient born-again believers as
soon as possible.
Also, before turning to the Twelve Steps of
Fundamentalists Anonymous., I want to emphasize that religious intoxication
is an ancient theme in human history. In fact, Carl Jung would have called
it an archetype-a universal theme imbedded in the human psyche that is found
in all eras and cultures. According to Jung, such an archetype is not
necessarily toxic or pathological but points to an inherent human craving
for meaningful spiritual experiences. Whether found in the spell for the
revival of Osiris, the orgiastic rites of the cult of Dionysius in Ancient
Greece, or the Native American sun dance, the need for sacred ritual and
celebration of the divine is as old as human history. However, need and
desire are not the same as physical, emotional, or mental dependence.
What makes a belief system, a ritual, or
one's relationship with other adherents addictive is the dependence one has
on them. Is one able to think for oneself? Is one able to function without
incessant participation in the rituals, and without obsessive contact with
and validation from fellow devotees? Is one able to trust one's intellect
and emotions and not subordinate them to those who claim to have more
spiritual authority, deeper spiritual understanding, or more extensive
training in interpreting the Bible or other sacred writings?
In exploring this topic, a caveat is in order
for all who are atheist, agnostic, or offended by the mention of "God" in
the Twelve Steps. After many years of working with the Steps and atheists
and agnostics who utilize them, I have discovered that there are many ways
to interpret and apply the concept of a Higher Power, so I would ask the
atheist or agnostic reader to consider this and continue reading.
Why do I think that Christian fundamentalism
and/or Domininonism is an addiction? My answer to that question comes first
of all from my own experience, as well as my observation of these
individuals over the years. I recall my own dependency on what "the Bible
says"-my own inability to trust my thoughts and feelings. I remember the
need for the "fix" of the church service, the revival meeting, the prayer
meeting, the Bible study, or listening to a fiery sermon on tape. I knew how
to think on my own, but I was afraid to do so. Who knew what I might
discover? But no "fix" was more deliciously validating than "winning souls
for Christ"-that dramatic moment when I had manipulated someone else into a
born-again experience. For this, the fundamentalist Christian addict lives
and breathes. And this is precisely why the religious right is intractably
hell-bent on converting the entire society and system of government in
America to its fundamentalist theocracy. What could produce a greater
"high"? And if this project should get interrupted by the Rapture, the
resulting euphoria would be so well-earned-doing God's work and getting the
planet ready for Jesus' return. The adrenaline-drenched grandiosity in such
a scenario is palpably tantalizing. More addictive than heroin perhaps?
It is axiomatic in Christian fundamentalism
that without the born-again experience, one cannot think clearly. Being
born into the human condition, and therefore, being inherently sinful, one's
mind is deluded, clouded, and always potential putty in the hands of Satan.
Once one has been born again, the mind is magically transformed, and one is
now guided by the Holy Spirit who Jesus said would lead his followers into
all truth. The more the born-again believer reads and studies the Bible, the
more clearly and correctly he/she thinks. Therefore, the new convert to
fundamentalist Christianity must depend on his/her minister, Bible
teacher, evangelist, or other spiritual leader to interpret the Bible and
guide him/her in living the Christian life. Eventually, with years of
seasoning in the faith, one needs less guidance, but one always requires
regular contact with the church, prayer group, or Bible study circle because
even after decades of devotion, there is always the possibility that one
could be deceived by the devil. Therefore, thinking for oneself is out of
the question, and as a result, profound dependence on others is created for
producing the "answers" one cannot discern by thinking for oneself.
In one of the responses to my last article,
one actively fundamentalist reader, whom I am paraphrasing, stated that he
does look to the Bible for answers and asked to whom or what else he should
look-Darwin, Camus, or other great minds? I found the question itself very
telling because inherent in it is the assumption that one cannot or should
not trust oneself. This assumption constitutes the major underpinning of the
addiction to Christian fundamentalism, hence Step One of Fundamentalists
Anonymous:
1.
I realize that I had turned control of my mind over to another person or
group, who had assumed power over my thinking.
The convert to
fundamentalist Christianity must be convinced that his/her thinking is
irreparably in error. The underlying message is: "You don't believe the
Bible is the inerrant Word of God because your mind has been occupied by
Satan. This has happened principally because you are a human being, but also
because you have made the enormous mistake of trying to think for yourself.
Of course you think there are contradictions in the Bible because Satan
controls your mind. If you surrender your mind to Jesus (actually to
me/us/the enlightened flock of believers), you will understand that there
are no contradictions in the Bible and that your life should be guided only
by the Bible and nothing else. What you cannot now understand, you must take
on faith, and more will be revealed to you later. It may not be revealed on
this earth, but by accepting Christ as your personal savior and having
faith, you will be guaranteed eternity in heaven where everything you never
understood will be completely revealed to you."
Curiously, as
stated in the definition of addiction above, under ancient Roman law,
addiction was grounds for slavery. I found this detail particularly
significant because obviously, addicted people are "enslaved" people.
Any thinking
person reading the Bible will discover dozens, if not hundreds, of
contradictions. Moreover, any Bible student who also studies history will
discover massive discrepancies regarding which books were chosen to be in
the Bible and why. Studying that history reveals that the decision to
incorporate certain books and exclude others was primarily a fourth-century
political decision intended to strengthen the appeal of Christianity and
prevent its demise in the face of Rome's attempts to extinguish the
religion.
An excellent
analysis of this controversy has been done by religious historian, Elaine
Pagels in her book Beyond Belief. She explores the discoveries of the
Nag Hammadi Library in Upper Egypt in 1945, which unearthed the existence of
numerous gospels eliminated from the final canon of the New Testament. Both
Pagels and another Biblical scholar, Marvin Meyer, have analyzed the Nag
Hammadi writings and hypothesized the reasons for their exclusion. I
particularly enjoyed reading Pagels' Beyond Belief, because not only
does she analyze the controversy surrounding the exclusion of these Gnostic
Gospels, but she openly shares her own intellectual process of discovering
the significance of their exclusion and its impact on her own spirituality.
Very UN-fundamentalist indeed.
Reading the
research of Pagels and others makes clear the reality that the Bible is not
and cannot be the inerrant, impeccably-written, divinely dictated Word of
God that fundamentalist Christians claim it to be. Thus Step Two of
Fundamentalists Anonymous states:
2. That person or group persuaded me of
the inerrancy of the Bible, in spite of its many internal contradictions.
One of the most
significant aspects of my abandonment of Christian fundamentalism was the
awareness that born-again Christians worship the Bible and not God. They
argue that the only way to know God is through the Bible. They are forced to
believe this because if they concede that God might speak through an inner
voice, through a tree, or through a particular life experience, their entire
belief system is toast. When I realized that contrary to their much-touted
Ten Commandments, Bible worship is nothing less than "having other gods
before me", I finally realized the depth of the hypocrisy of their system.
Part of my, and anyone's recovery from fundamentalism is a commitment to
develop a relationship with a Higher Power-whatever that may be-and not with
a book. Step Three therefore states:
3. I became addicted to the Bible as the
supreme focus of my faith, in spite of the commandment that God should come
first.
Like the
spiritual inventory of Alcoholics Anonymous and other Twelve-Step programs,
Step Four asks the recovering fundamentalist to look at the damage one has
done to oneself as a result of turning control of one's mind over to another
person or group. Not a pretty picture in most cases, but certainly a huge
relief when the whole truth is finally faced and spoken.
4. I admit to God, to myself and to
another person the shortcomings of my belief in the unbelievable.
Fundamentalist
Christianity is filled with false claims about the Bible. It has to be in
order to keep its system intact and use the Bible to manipulate, control,
and above all, gain converts. So as part of recovering from addiction to
fundamentalism, one must examine the various false claims one has made about
the Bible. Step Five states:
5. I have made an inventory of my false
claims about the Bible.
Ouch! This could
be very painful-and it could go on for years as one recalls all the times
one may have used "the Bible says" to beat up oneself or someone else. But
again, there can be profound liberation with truth-telling.
Could it get
more painful than Steps Four and Five? Yes. How many minds have I whacked
beside my own? Who have I manipulated, controlled, cajoled, or conned by
using false claims-things I could never absolutely know or prove about the
Bible?
6. I have made a list of those whom I led
into confusion about the Bible.
All Twelve Step
programs require "searching and fearless" inventories of oneself and one's
actions while practicing one's addiction. Moreover, they demand
accountability to one's Higher Power, oneself, and the persons harmed.
This could be
excruciating! Admitting to someone that I may have led them astray with the
Bible? As experienced Twelve-Steppers know, it may not be possible to make
the amends in person or even by letter. Someone may be so hurt, so angry, so
alienated that making contact with him/her is not feasible. Most important,
however, is the admission to oneself. Hence Step Seven:
7. I am willing to make amends to all those
whom I may have led astray.
And now comes
the payoff: sanity. Sanity is not a mental health term but rather a state of
acceptance and release often attended by a sense of relief. After one has
admitted turning one's mind over to another person or group and has faced
the devastation the addiction has caused, and if possible, made amends to
those harmed, it becomes possible to experience sanity.
Step Eight, in
offering the hope of sanity refers to searching Scripture for the truth.
Notice the Step says "search Scripture." It doesn't say, "search the Scripture." One now has the freedom to search for one's own truth-wherever,
whenever, however. Step Eight:
8. I realize that I have the inner power
to restore sanity to my life and to search Scripture for the truth.
Having completed
the first eight Steps, the recovering fundamentalist can begin authentic
relationships with others regarding spirituality. No longer does one need to
"be right", convert, admonish, exhort, or teach. The first eight Steps make
it possible to share on a truly level playing field without right/wrong,
either/or dichotomies. Step Nine:
9. I will reach out to friends who can
help me clarify my thinking about the Bible, God and Jesus.
Reaching out to
friends is not the same as dependence. It means information-gathering,
exploring, dialoging, but most importantly, thinking for
oneself.
Then
brilliantly, Step Ten hastens to add that I do not need to figure it out all
on my own; I can ask for help from a Higher Power. It humbly implies that I
don't have all the answers. I have help, but it is with my own mind that I
grasp the truth, not with someone else's.
10. I
confess that only with God's help can my mind grasp the truth.
How do I get
help from a Higher Power? I practice Step Eleven which deals with conscious
contact with that power. This may have nothing to do with reading the Bible
or going to church. It may have nothing to do with meditating in a lotus
posture or praying in the traditional sense. It may mean journaling,
spending time in nature, painting, composing music or poetry.
11. I will seek through prayer and
meditation to improve my conscious contact with God, praying for knowledge
of God's will for me and the power to carry that out.
One of the most
profound aspects of recovering from any addiction is the compassion one
experiences for others who are still ensnared in the addiction. One
naturally wants to share the liberation, peace, and sense of well being that
one has found with others who are suffering. What might be particularly
challenging for the recovering fundamentalist, however, is to share the
Twelve Steps of Fundamentalists Anonymous without falling back into one's
addiction to proselytize and "being right." So Step Twelve must be practiced
sensitively and compassionately.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as
the result of these twelve steps, I will offer these steps to other former
biblical fundamentalists.
Some may argue
that I am being judgmental and lacking compassion in this article and my
former article on Christian fundamentalism. However, I do not apologize for
being uncompromising in my analysis. As with all addictions, compassion for
the addict does not mean condoning addictive behavior. It means speaking the
truth about the addiction to the addict him/herself, to the family and loved
ones involved with the addict, or anyone else affected by his/her behavior.
This is referred to in recovery circles as an intervention. Is it not
appropriate for critically thinking individuals who desire to live in a
diverse and open society to conduct "interventions" when those drunk on
Dominionism and fundamentalist Christianity flagrantly attempt to construct
a theocracy which requires everyone to be a born-again Christian in order to
thrive in that society? Do we not have a moral obligation to confront
destructive religious intoxication that tears apart families, communities,
and nations? Hopefully, this article is an example of such an intervention.
The mainstream
media does not seem to comprehend the inherent danger of the religious right
let alone report it accurately. All of us need to challenge the addictive
tyranny of Christian fundamentalism at every turn-for the sake of our sanity
and for the sake of our civil liberties. We don't allow street junkies into
the halls of Congress, the Supreme Court, or the pulpits of America to
admonish us how we should live and why we should demolish our Constitution.
In fact, we confront the insanity and criminality of such individuals.
Similarly, it's time to confront the domination drug for what it is-a grave
and perverse spiritual and moral illness.
Carolyn Baker
is recovering fundamentalist Christian and an adjunct professor of history
and lives in Southern New Mexico. She can be contacted at: cbaker@nmsu.edu
Copyright © Carolyn Baker. All rights reserved. You may republish under the following conditions: An
active link to the original publication must be provided. http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/
You must not alter, edit or remove any text within the article, including
this copyright notice.
http://liberty.hypermart.net/voices/2005/print/The_Religious_Right_Pushing_A_Deadly_Addiction.htm |
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A Pagan
Alternative to Christian 12 Step Groups:
Nine Step
Pagans
Are you a Pagan or Pagan-friendly adult looking to win or keep your freedom from addictions or compulsive behaviors? Welcome! You are not alone. Join your brothers and sisters in mutual support, helping each other to health and freedom. These words are being typed on the 1st of January, 2001, in preparation for the birth of an organization oriented toward using the healing energy of the Pagan community to offer a way to health and freedom for those who want it. Click on the links below to learn more about Nine Step Pagans, whom it is for, e-mail lists and meeting schedule.
For the purpose of the organization NINE STEP PAGANS, the noun "Pagan" refers to a person whose faith and worship includes a deep, abiding respect and love for the Creation of which humans are a part, and a desire to live in well-balanced relationship with self and the rest of the natural world.
THE NINE-STEP FREEDOM TRAIL
1) We came to feel enslaved by excessive behaviors which were harmful to us, throwing our health and relationships out of balance through addictions, compulsions, or both.
2) We realized that resources were available to help us win our freedom, if we were willing to use them.
3) We became willing to reach out for help, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
4) We sought help from our Deities, fellow humans, healers, clergy, groups, or whatever source necessary, to aid us toward freedom and health.
5) We established a pattern of life-affirming behaviors, avoiding the sorts of isolation which would make us vulnerable to relapses, creating a foundation of supports which could help us recover from whatever lapses we might have.
6) We considered, acknowledged, and took full responsibility for the harm we had done to others and ourselves in the time of our slavery.
7) We considered and discussed with a neutral adult, the harm we had done, and how we might make restitution or otherwise restore balance, facing the fact that in some situations no direct redress was possible.
8) Where possible, and using whatever supports necessary, we endeavored to restore balance in those situations and relationships previously harmed by our servitude to addiction or compulsion.
9) Remaining constructively vigilant in our self-regard, we continued to grow strong in health and freedom, eventually becoming a source of support for others seeking to bring their own lives into healthy balance.
[For virtual meetings and more information about Nine Step
Pagans, please visit their website. http://www.ninesteppagans.faithweb.com/main.htm#ninesteps
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NineStepPagans/join
http://www.ninesteppagans.faithweb.com
Unfortunately, their webmaster likes very busy
backgrounds which are very hard to read. You may find
copying the page in .txt format helps.]
If you
are practicing the 9 Step Program, we would love to print an
essay or interview about your experience. If you are interested
in forming a 9 Step Program, we may be able to help with space
and/or publicity. Contact the Editor.
|
Readers' Turn:
Our Own Steps:
Pagan Alternatives and Adaptations to 12 Step
Programs
Have you ever participated
in a 12 step group? Did being a Pagan make a difference in how you
experienced the process? How did you adapt the Twelve Steps to your
Pagan experience? What would the ideal 12 step group for Pagans be
like? 250- 2000 words. Submit
here.
|
Books
The Long Journey Home: Revisioning the Myth of
Demeter and Persephone for Our Time, ed. Christine Downing. (Boston:
Shamballa, 1994.) This is a wonderful resource for more scholarly
Pagan women, whether dealing with chemical dependency or childhood
abuse. Compiled by a Jungian psychologist, it is full of resources
you can use, and might be a bridge for discussing your own spirituality
with a therapist. |
Humor
TWELVE STEP INTERNET RECOVERY PROGRAM
1) I will have a cup of coffee in the morning and
read my newspaper like I used to, before the
Internet.
2) I will eat breakfast with a knife and fork and not with one hand
typing.
3) I will get dressed before noon.
4) I will make an attempt to clean the house, wash clothes,
and plan dinner before even thinking
of the Internet.
5) I will sit down and write a letter to those unfortunate few friends and
family that are Internet-
deprived.
6) I will call someone on the phone who I cannot contact via the Internet.
7) I will read a book...if I still remember how.
8) I will listen to those around me and their needs and stop telling them
to turn the TV down so I
can hear the music on the Internet.
9) I will not be tempted during TV commercials to check for email.
10) I will try and get out of the house at least once a week, if it is
necessary or not.
11) I will remember that my bank is not forgiving if I forget to balance
my checkbook because I
was too busy on the Internet.
12) Last, but not least, I will remember that I must go to bed sometime...
and the Internet will
always be there tomorrow! |
|
Links
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/spiral-steps
http://www.paganinstitute.org/PI/pastoral_care.html
http://handcraftedpagan.com/pagansinrecovery/
http://ninesteppagans.welwoodworks.com
Click here to
Join the NSP discussion group.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pagan12StepHaven/
Minnesota Recovery Page: http://www.minnesotarecovery.info
Nine
Step Pagans
Pagan Paths 12-Step Recovery
Native American Indian General Service
Office of Alcoholics Anonymous (NAIGSO)
Stepping Through to
Recovery
Online Recovery Resources
Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
Coloring mandalas as a method of meditation
An alternative to formal meditation practices
with a potential for family and interpersonal team-building skill
development. Guidelines and resources to help you inexpensively improve
your coping and awareness skills through an enjoyable activity.
http://www.coloringtherapy.com/index.html
Send us links
and resources
|
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