I will give a talk on June 13th in Atlanta on "Kindness and the Transformation of the Suffering of Addiction" The ancient and modern teachings of the historical Buddha and those who have followed over the millennia have outlined many aspects of the addiction experience, including the core teaching that our suffering is created by craving, clinging, and aversion. Also outlined are some of the elements of the recovery experience: Lovingkindness, Compassion, Appreciative Joy and Equanimity. These qualities are often described as the result of years of dedicated recovery practice, but can also be cultivated directly right now through practices specific to these four qualities. Modern trauma theory and practice also outlines the critical need for the cultivation of positive states and resources as the key to success in bringing traumatic stress to an adaptive resolution and allowing for long term recovery from addiction. This talk, meditation and Q&A will guide participants to develop these four heart practices not as a spiritual bypass, but rather as a path to the transformation of trauma, toward the cessation of suffering of addiction.

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