Russell Brand: Spirituality overcoming addictions

(Buddha in Sarnath Museum)

When the Dalai Lama speaks at an upcoming event for thousands of youths in Manchester, England, comedian Russell Brand will be right there with him as a master of ceremonies.

MSN Wonderwall reported that “Brand was selected by trust [Tibet House Trust] officials because he turned to spirituality to beat his drug and alcohol demons.”  The Dalai Lama’s Northern European representative stated that Brand “has demonstrated the power of spirituality to effect change in his own life.”  Brand can therefore help to “inspire ordinary citizens – especially young people – to find meaning and purpose in their lives.”

Brand (although perhaps the flashiest) is far from the first to rely upon spirituality to overcome addictions.  In fact, some of the greatest mentors of all time have attested to the power of spirituality to heal all wounds.  For example, the Christian Broadcasting Network offers these quotes from Saint Paul:  Everything is permissible for me – but not everything is beneficial.  Everything is permissible for me – but I will not be mastered by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12); and Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead, be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

Addictionrecoveryguide.org reports that Transcendental Meditation, in particular, seems “to be correlated with a reduced relapse [of addiction] rate.”  In a research study by Taub, Steiner, Weingarten, and Walton regarding alcoholism relapses, it was found that 65% of the Transcendental Meditation group remained completely abstinent for at least18 months - as compared to 55% of a biofeedback group, 28% of a neurotherapy group, and 25% of a standard core group.

Of course, the Buddha himself had plenty to say about overcoming excessive attachment (addiction).  This quote from him minces no words as far as relationship addiction is concerned:  I have killed all of you before.  I was chopped up by all of you in previous lives.  We have all killed each other as enemies.  So why should we be attached to each other?

Resources

http://wonderwall.msn.com/movies/dalai-lama-to-share-stage-with-russell-brand-1686663.story?ocid=answw11

http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/CBNTeachingSheets/Drugs.aspx

http://www.addictionrecoveryguide.org/holistic/meditation_spirituality

http://viewonbuddhism.org/attachment.html

Copyright June 11, 2012 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved