Noah Levine (Dharma Punx; Against the Stream) applies his Buddhist perspective to the field of addiction recovery in Refuge Recovery. The title refers to one of the central tenets of the religion: take refuge in the Buddha. Levine takes the classic 12-step program (centered on a "higher power") and ungirds it with a healthy layer of pragmatism. He uses mindfulness, meditation and the cornerstones of Buddhist thought--such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path--to lay the foundation for his process. Levine notes how addiction and craving create suffering: "We wander through life constantly craving more of the pleasant stuff and less of the unpleasant." This search for pleasure and avoidance of pain undermines real maturity, destroys relationships and even kills.
In addition to chapters on "The Process," the causes of addiction and its possible cessation through the application Buddhist principles, Levine includes a section of first-person "Reflections" from men and women who have tried his method, achieving lasting sobriety and a measure of sanity. The stories, which are both harrowing and healing, are a wonderful testament to the power of Buddhist-based recovery. Refuge Recovery wraps up with a generous appendix of meditations, breathing techniques and sections on group sharing. The appendix alone is a worthwhile primer on Buddhism basics.
With Refuge Recovery, Levine aims for a path that is workable for even those who have never picked up a book on the Buddha or sat down and counted breaths. The wisdom, lucidity and generous spirit of Refuge Recovery are a valuable first step on the lifelong journey of sobriety. --Donald Powell, freelance writer