The visualization practices contained in this meditation can help instill a sense of hope and belief in oneself to be able to overcome whatever addiction you're struggling with.
Imagining and doing are not that much different as far as neurochemistry is concerned.
If you can imagine yourself relaxing on a beach on a sunny day with just the perfect amount of wind,
Your body will respond as if you were actually there.
This is how visualization practices can be very helpful in helping you to achieve your goals.
So take a minute and get comfortable.
You can sit down,
You can lie down,
However you're comfortable.
It is important to fully realize the harm caused by your addiction.
While this may be uncomfortable,
It is a necessary step in removing dependencies from your life.
The hurt stemming from your addiction is the foundation upon which recovery is built.
You can consider these memories and images as gifts,
As powerful reminders of what happens when you're active in your addiction.
So take a moment to center yourself.
Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.
And again in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Do a few more on your own.
Just feel the cleansing air filling your lungs and feel renewed with each breath.
Your life is important and it has meaning.
To increase your sense of purpose and meaning,
You need to remind yourself that you can get better,
You're taking steps to get better,
And just by doing this meditation you are getting better.
As you walk forward in your recovery,
You can get a new sense of purpose and meaning.
Recovery can help to restore a sense of hope in your life.
We're going to start with visualizing a few of the ways that your addiction has caused harm.
Recall a few situations that brought the seriousness of your addiction into your awareness.
There are often pretty drastic and dramatic events that let us know that things have gotten out of control.
That maybe there was just one,
Or maybe there are many for you.
Either way is okay.
Just think of a few of the major ones.
And what ways did you behave that bothered you?
Was anyone involved?
And how did you treat them?
Just take a few minutes to go back through and visualize these situations.
Carl Jung said,
There is no birth of consciousness without pain.
You can be grateful for the awareness your pain has brought.
Your pain has let you know that something needs to be done.
Your pain has been a teacher.
Now make a mental image of the ways in which you would like to be different in the future.
The ways that you will be different in the future.
Start by seeing yourself as free from the obsession of your addiction.
How is your life opening up?
How are you using your new mental resources?
What are you doing that you've previously been unable to do?
Picture yourself doing these things.
Now,
Think about specific goals you would like to achieve.
Think about ways in which you would like to grow and improve.
Start with seeing how your relationships have evolved and become more enriched.
How are you interacting differently with the important people in your life?
See yourself interacting with them in this different way.
Now,
Picture yourself having achieved your career goals.
What is the position that you achieved?
And who do you work for?
Experience the positive feelings of this accomplishment now.
Feel how good it feels just to know that you have been able to achieve your career goals and see yourself in that position.
Now,
See yourself being able to cope with life's challenges without escaping through your addiction.
What methods are you using to deal with stress?
What is it like to get through this stress?
What is it like to withstand the stress of life,
Not act out on your addiction,
And then find yourself on the other side?
Now,
Last,
See yourself as spiritually whole.
And though you may still face challenges,
See yourself as content with yourself,
Confident most days,
Able to connect with people you love,
And able to find joy in your surroundings.
See yourself in this place.
It will take work,
Time,
And patience,
But you can achieve these goals.
Achieving these goals is now part of your purpose in life.
Achieving them can give your life new meaning.
And if you are persistent,
You will get better.
I wish you well on your recovery journey.
That's all for now.
