Our Unconscious Childhood Shame-Core
I was asked to write a blog entry explaining the process whereby many of us grow up into adulthood carrying within us, buried deeply within …
What Are Core Issues?
Our last blog entry contrasted first stage recovery, which is focused on adjusting oneself to external conditions, or on “fitting in”, with next stage recovery, …
First Stage Recovery vs. “Next Stage” Recovery
Summary: First stage recovery is about fitting in; next stage recovery is about becoming your true self. What is meant by “first stage” recovery? First …
Serenity, or Equanimity?
The literature of Alcoholics Anonymous makes a huge deal out of the notion of “serenity.” Serenity appears to be the primary goal of physical, emotional …
Feelings May Not Be Facts, But They Sure Are Information
In recovery circles, you often hear the admonition that “feelings aren’t facts.” But nobody explains just exactly what that means; it is usually stated as …
Being Self-Centered vs. Having a Self
My experience with people in recovery via the Twelve Steps is that they can sometimes have a distorted understanding of the concept of “self.” And …