A Buddhist Perspective on Addiction Recovery

In order to be happy and productive in making the world a better place, we need to be free of the ways we avoid and numb out using alcohol, drugs and other behaviors. Many have been helped by the 12-step programs but many do not resonate with these God-centered programs. Host Marlena Willis talks with Vimilasara (Valerie) Mason-John, co-author of the award-winning book Eight Step Recovery – Using the Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction, and Shahara Godfrey, core teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center, who has initiated events there for people in addiction recovery center programs.

Vimalasara Mason-John (Valerie) is president of the Buddhist Recovery Network and cofounder of a secular mindfulness program for addiction. She is also the author of the new revised edition of Detox Your Heart – Meditations For Emotional Trauma. She is a leading African Canadian voice in the field of Mindfulness for Emotional Trauma and Addiction.

Shahara Godfrey is a core teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center who has initiated events there for people in recovery from addictions. She has trained in the Theravada Buddhist tradition for over 20 years. Other influences have been spiritual teachers from various cultures and traditions as well as the creative arts. Shahara has a PhD in Humanities with a focus on Transformative Learning and Change from the California Institute of Integral Studies, and currently works as an educator.

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