Enlightened Living

Mindfulness practice in everyday life.

Michael J. Formica, MS, MA, EdM is a psychotherapist, social scientist, and educator in Westport CT. He is an Initiate in the Shankya Yoga lineage. See full bio

May 2, 2008, Addiction

Comments on "Addiction: A Zen Perspective"

Addiction: A Zen Perspective

By Michael J. Formica on May 2, 2008 in Enlightened Living

From a Buddhist perspective, addiction might be considered the archetype of attachment. Addiction is, in fact, a collection of attachments. It is attachment to fear, attachment to loss, and attachment to longing, emptiness, and a lack of a sense of purpose. Read More

addiction

Submitted by Rick on May 18, 2008 - 5:41pm.

Thank you for your explanation of the Middle Way. It was said in a way that I was able to understand. I read the many blogs on PT and often left confused.

Namaste,
Rick

You're welcome...

Submitted by Michael J. Formica on May 19, 2008 - 3:59am.

Rick: I struggled with the concept for many years, and still get thrown off from time to time. Buddhism is very simple...but the subtlies underlying those simple ideas are what make it a complex and sometimes intellectually inaccessible path. As a teacher of mine is fond of saying, "No think...DO!!!" Blessings, Michael

Exellent

Submitted by on June 10, 2008 - 3:10am.

Michael - excellent, excellent job on walking the reader through the progression of interest > preference > attachment > suffering! Couldn't've been better! Pavel