Alcoholics Anonymous, Buddhism + Powerlessness – Ep. 161

In this two part podcast Mark Epstein M.D. joins Professor Thurman for a dialog on the Buddhist & Alcoholics Anonymous perspectives on addiction, depression, recovery and their strategies on how individuals can change their relationship to feelings of powerlessness.

Beginning with a recommendation of BBC’s long running Science Fiction Fantasy program ‘Dr. Who’ and a humorous take on the culinary history of civilization Robert Thurman gives a teaching on karma, compassion + emptiness suggesting alternative solutions on dealing with anger and one’s enemies.

Second half of the podcast opens with an in depth discussion on the relationship between powerlessness as taught by Alcoholics Anonymous and other Twelve Step programs of recovery and the Buddha’s teaching on emptiness.

Podcast concludes with Professor Thurman’s teaching on the Three Buddha’s of Western Liberal Education: Darwin, Marx & Freud.

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous Photo by Mike Paradise, All Rights Reserved.

“Alcoholics Anonymous, Buddhism + Powerlessness” is an excerpt from the archive recordings from the Tibet House US retreat “Addiction, Depression & Recovery: Buddhist Psychological Insights for Mental & Spiritual Health in the Modern World Retreat” with Robert AF Thurman & Mark Epstein M.D., recorded at Menla’s Nalanda Conference Center in Phoenicia, New York, Summer 2017.

To listen to more archive recordings from from past Robert AF Thurman teachings + public events please consider becoming a Tibet House US member. To Learn about the benefits of Tibet House US Membership please visit: www.tibethouse.us.

Previews are available on the Tibet House US YouTube Channel + Full Archive Recordings from the 2016 + 2017 Annual Retreat at Menla in the THUS Member Archives.  Tibet House US Member Access starts at $2 a Month.

The song ‘Dancing Ling’ by Tenzin Choegyal from the album ‘Heart Sutra‘ (2004) by Ethno Super Lounge is used on the Bob Thurman Podcast with artist’s permission, all rights reserved.

“Alcoholics Anonymous, Buddhism + Powerlessness – Ep. 161″ of the Bob Thurman Podcast” is apart of the Buddhism 101 series using classic teachings from the archives of Robert AF Thurman to elucidate basic concepts of the tradition.

To learn more about upcoming programs in the heart of the Catskills with Bob Thurman & Mark Epstein M.D. please visit: www.menla.us.