DEEP SOBRIETY

Highs come and go; thoughts and feelings do too.  What remains?  What is the constant amongst this change? 

 

Awareness.

 

Awareness is the still, silent, alive space in which all of our experiences–from our thoughts to the universe at large–arise.

 

The common mindfulness approach is to focus on the contents of what’s unfolding in awareness; the lesser-known way is to recognize awareness itself. 

 

In the classic meditation metaphor, we recognize these passing phenomena as clouds in the sky, but if we take that further, asking who or what is aware of those clouds, we can begin to recognize that we are–and always have been–the sky; open, spacious, inclusive and at ease. 

 

But before that, many of us, meditators and non-meditators alike, find that we are fighting to find and maintain a fleeting sense of peace and happiness through bids, initiatives, and self-improvement projects.  All of these maneuvers of mind hinge on the potential of becoming: reaching some idealized future that seems close but remains just out of reach.

 

This way of relating to life is epitomized in our use of substances; chemicals that may initially seem like the light, but are actually additives that transform freedom into a fog that blankets the sky of our true nature.

 

When we see these limits, we have an opportunity to shift; to begin to see what opportunities subtraction affords us.

 

In making a commitment to quit substances, we first encounter what we were trying to escape: challenging thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and, sometimes, the reverberation of trauma. In short, the difficult realities of human experience.

 

From the heart of awareness, we can learn to drop our identification with these happenings, and discover a compassionate and resilient flow that allows temporary experiences to show that they are just that: impermanent.

 

In doing so, we can glimpse more and more the space around and between thoughts and feelings.  It’s there, in what may seem like nothing at first, that we find the doorway into deep sobriety; the direct discovery of what doesn’t come and go.  

 

As we learn to trust and rest in that space, we open to a new, non-conceptual way of knowing, expanding beyond the limits of what the mind thought was possible.  We discover well-being in its truest sense: spacious awareness is what we sought in all our attempts to get “there.”

 

For those who are interested in opening in this way, the Deep Sobriety series offers opportunities to begin rediscovering the spacious presence that has been obscured by circumstances and experiences.  The classes are intended for those who can give a clear “yes” to the inquiry: do I really want to know the depths of being?  It’s worth truly pondering this for a moment, as not everybody is ready or moved in such a way.  

 

If you find your yes, be it a resounding internal confirmation, energetic resonance, or intuitive hunch, please reach out via the contact form on this page. We can have a no-cost conversation to discuss the details and answer any questions you may have.

 

The 6 one-hour classes will incorporate meditative practices, IFS-informed parts work, meditative inquiry, and dialogue. 

 

The next series will be held on Zoom, is slated to begin in late 2026, and has a total cost of $200 with a $25 discount if you refer a friend.  Space in the class is limited to 8 participants to help create opportunities for interaction and guidance.

 

The work is guided by the 23 years of exploration I’ve had at the intersection of sobriety and meditation. Everything I teach comes from the wisdom and experience I’ve gained both on and off the cushion. What I’ve found is that opening in this way isn’t reserved for a special class of people or based on a legacy of good deeds.  Instead, it is revealed for the earnest inquirer who is willing to know what’s true.  

 

If that's you, I’d love to share these teachings and help you discover what remains when you disengage from the habit of trying to find stability in temporary arisings. Please reach out if you'd like to learn more.