Is There Help Without God?

One of many books on helping people get and stay sober is The Tao of Sobrity, by; David Gregson & Jay S. Efran, PH.D.   It is said by Tao, and Buddhist that addiction blocks the natural flow of the “watercourse way”. Watercourse/waterflow-metaphor for a Zen attitude. people who use alcohol or other drugs to control their feelings often believe the “illusion of control” they think they have the power to avoid unpleasant experiences or create a permanent “high” to mask the boredom of everyday life. From the perspective of Taoism, addiction on a psychological level blocks the ability to accept the fullness of the present moment. For the addict acceptance of the” here and now”is replaced by the “Next Fix”. The urges and craving for substances that promise to ease the suffering or change the boredom to fun. For those “frustrated mystics” who reject the Christian orientation Taoism and Buddhism provides a alternative pathway leading to personal awakening and spiritual  enlightenment. Buddhist speak of the eight fold path as a alternative to the 12steps. Both may provide optional routes to the same overall destination. Unlike the disease model, which defines addiction solely in biological or physiological terms (addiction a disease of the brain or alcoholism as a genetic disorder), Eastern spiritual define addiction as a disease of the mind”.  The Tao and Buddhism share the belief  that there can be balance found through meditation. One of the definitions of Taoism is the Middle Way, a position of balance. In reading The Tao of Pooh by; Benjamin Hoff they discuss the famous painting The Vinegar Tasters which explains the Buddhist, Tao, and Confucianism beliefs. Albert Einstein warned that “the illusion that we are separate from one another is a optical delusion of our consciousness”. He realized that the conventional Western order for success, emphasizes on often a formula for loneliness, isolation, and despair. The Eastern views will be talking about advise a more holistic, compassionate and relational perspective. So it is believed that there is help without God. As far as my opinion goes, No! If God created “All” then that would include Tao, Buddhist,and all other religions. So in my opinion there would be NO help without God.   R.Szy

This entry was posted on 26. May 2009 at 05:35 and is filed under Introduction to Sociology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.