Description:
"Mindfulness in Action" by the renowned Buddhist master Chögyam Trungpa is a powerful and practical guide to integrating mindfulness into every aspect of life. The book’s central theme, as its subtitle suggests, is "Making Friends with Yourself through Meditation and Everyday Awareness." Trungpa teaches that mindfulness is not a passive activity reserved for formal meditation, but a dynamic and continuous practice that can be cultivated in the midst of daily challenges, emotions, and interactions.
Trungpa's approach is both profound and accessible, encouraging readers to bring a non-judgmental and compassionate awareness to their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. He explains that by facing our inner turmoil—including the parts of ourselves we may be tempted to ignore or numb—we can begin to "make friends" with our experience and find genuine healing. The book provides clear guidance on how to use mindfulness to navigate the complexities of life, transcending the habitual patterns that lead to suffering. For those in recovery, "Mindfulness in Action" is an invaluable resource for developing the self-compassion, awareness, and inner strength needed to break the cycle of addiction and embrace a more authentic and peaceful life.
Study Guide for Recovery
This study guide is designed to help you explore the concepts in "Mindfulness in Action" and apply them to your own journey of recovery.
Key Themes & Concepts
- Mindfulness as a Continuous Practice: The book emphasizes that mindfulness is a skill to be applied in every moment of every day, not just during formal meditation sessions.
- Making Friends with Yourself: A core concept is the practice of self-compassion and acceptance, which involves observing your thoughts and feelings without judgment or criticism.
- Working with Difficult Emotions: The book provides guidance on how to face uncomfortable feelings—like anger, shame, or guilt—with a calm and steady awareness, rather than trying to escape or numb them.
- The Power of Everyday Awareness: The teachings reveal that ordinary activities, from walking to eating, can become powerful opportunities for mindful practice and spiritual growth.
Discussion Questions
- What does it mean to you to "make friends with yourself" in recovery? What is one part of yourself you are learning to accept with more compassion?
- Mindfulness in Action is about being present in challenging situations. Think of a recent craving or trigger. How could practicing mindfulness in that moment have changed your response?
- The book teaches that every moment is a chance to practice. What is one small, mundane task you can do mindfully today, and how does it feel to bring your full attention to it?
- Trungpa encourages facing our inner turmoil without judgment. What is one difficult emotion you are willing to sit with and observe, rather than running from it?
- How can the practice of everyday awareness help you to build a new identity that is not defined by addiction?
Additional Resources
- Guided Meditation: "Metta (Loving-Kindness) Meditation"
- A guided meditation from the tradition of Chögyam Trungpa's teachings that helps you practice the skill of making friends with yourself and others. (Search "Chogyam Trungpa Metta meditation" on a podcast or meditation app.)
- Article: "The Role of Self-Compassion in Addiction Recovery"
- This article from a recovery-focused publication provides a great overview of why self-compassion is a critical tool for healing and preventing relapse. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/rethinking-addiction/201602/self-compassion-and-addiction-recovery
- Website: The Shambhala Network:
- Explore the network of centers and resources founded by Chögyam Trungpa, which offer teachings on mindfulness and compassion. https://www.shambhala.org/
- Video: "Mindfulness Explained"
- This short and accessible video from UCLA Health provides a clear explanation of what mindfulness is and how it can benefit your life. https://www.uclahealth.org/marc/mindful-awareness-practices-online
