The Zen of Recovery

By: Mel Ash

Narrated by: Kevin Young

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.

very good read

this is a perfect read for the 12 steps and in general very insightful.

Useful bridge in early recovery

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.

Love it but….

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

Recovering...

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.

Zen of recovery

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.