The Zen of Recovery Audiobook By Mel Ash cover art

The Zen of Recovery

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The Zen of Recovery

By: Mel Ash
Narrated by: Kevin Young
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Zen mind connects to the heart of recovery in this compelling blend of East and West. Courageously drawing from his lifetime of experience as an abused child, alcoholic, Zen student, and dharma teacher, author Mel Ash gives listeners a solid grounding in the Twelve Steps and the Eightfold Path and shows their useful similarities for those in recovery.

©1993 Mel Ash (P)2012 Audible, Inc. Addiction & Recovery Alcoholism Drug Dependency Personal Development Personal Success Substance abuse Inspiring

Editorial reviews

Mel Ash’s The Zen of Recovery brings the spiritual dimension to recovery, as it seeks the middle ground between 12-step programs and Zen Buddhism.

The three-part structure of The Zen of Recovery is based on an old Zen story. The first part features a background section about Zen Buddhism and Ash’s own gripping personal story of alcoholism. This section is followed by a collection of exploratory essays dealing with issues faced by people in recovery. The third section offers practical advice on applying Zen to the recovering listener’s life.

Kevin Young imparts gravitas and intimacy to this revealing and unabridged guide to spirituality and recovery.

Insightful Spiritual Guidance • Compelling Personal Journey • Compelling Narration • Accessible Buddhist Teachings
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this is a perfect read for the 12 steps and in general very insightful.

very good read

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Where does The Zen of Recovery rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a very specific book I wouldn't recommend to anyone not actively attending 12-step meetings who doesn't already have some knowledge of Buddhist practice and teachings. If you do have these two qualifications, the book can be immensely helpful in helping you process the steps and make working them part of your daily practice.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I appreciated Mel's anecdotes and examples and would have happily listened to more of them. The author has a wonderfully casual sense of humor that helps remove the pressure from what can feel like very serious work.

Which character – as performed by Kevin Young – was your favorite?

The narrator spoke for the author with complete authority. His performance is so natural, it's easy to forget the voice you are hearing is not that of Mel Ash.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from The Zen of Recovery?

I did not actively try to assimilate the book but let it wash over me and seep into my subconscious. One thing perhaps is the sense that a higher power can be anything or anyone as long as it is beyond you, that is outside of you. After watching Pride and Prejudice recently, I decided my higher power looks like Laurence Olivier's Darcy in the sense that if Larry were to turn his eyes upon you and look directly at you, it would feel like what it must feel like to have God look at you. This heart pounding exhilaration and all consuming warm glow. Silly, maybe, but its nice to have the visual image and this little joke to pull out my pocket when the idea of God seems too intangible to apply to everyday life.

Useful bridge in early recovery

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I love this book, but you skip chapter 20 it starts diving into this climate change agenda.

Love it but….

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A tale of the beauty in recovering from destructive cycles. We each of us can have the promise of living well if we brave the unknown with the audacious boldness of uncovering what we aren't so that we may unlock and nurture the truth of our own light. A reflection on the joys of healing.

Recovering...

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This was A well written book. It has wonderful imagery, examples, and language. The author eloquently weaves his life experience of alcohol abuse and recovery by use of the 12 steps and zen mastery.

Zen of recovery

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I have been in recovery for some time and a fan of Zen Buddhism for even longer. while this book includes the author's personal story it is far more a general introduction to Zen. it relates to the big book and the founders story very well. if you are interested in Zen then you will find this a great intro. if you are in recovery then this is an enlightening angle. if you are well versed in zen budism then you May not find much more information than what you already know.

great mix of 12 step and zen

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buddhism saved me in my worst moments. zen was my introduction to buddhism, many years ago. this book reminded me why I fell in love. there is a lot of good in here. thank you.

thank you

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Simple, compaionate and with a lot if patience. A true beacon of if light traveling the dark night of your soul.

Grounded in reality of life.

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I wish this was required reading in a lot of programs. For me personally I read and listen to this book multiple times and I have recommended this book to my loved ones.

So perfectly explained.

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One of the all time best books on Recovery. Mel Ash does a wonderful job of showing the overlap between the Twelve step program and Zen practice. With humor and compassion he guides the listener to let go and to accept, but also to be diligent and conscientious. He also weaves in Christian teachings and themes from literature to illustrate the universality of this simple (but not easy) spiritual message. The narration of this audiobook is also very good, making it compelling and easy to listen back again, to periodically refresh the lessons and integrate them into our practice of living. Thank you.

Excellent book, both on Recovery and on Zen practice

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