TS: Addiction, Recovery, and the Teachings of Eckhart Tolle – Interview w/ Peter Marinelli
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Are you suffering from an addiction to alcohol, drugs, sex, or eating? How can the teachings of Eckhart Tolle help support you? How can you find the spiritual path to recovery? On this recording of our March 2, 2010, teleseminar, we discuss addiction and recovery with special guest Peter Marinelli.
In this conscious conversation about addiction and recovery, Peter shares from a deep place of experience and wisdom how the Twelve Step Program and the teachings of Eckhart Tolle have helped and inspired him to find a deeply spiritual path to recovery. It is evident he “walks the talk” when it comes to practicing spiritual disciplines for cultivating permanent sobriety.
Peter shares stories about his own process of recovery. He explains how seeking information is not enough. Rather, it is seeking an experience with the information, and seeking an experience with the God of your understanding, that leads to inner transformation.
Peter is very versed with the teachings of Eckhart Tolle and the power of discovering silence, stillness, presence, and the now for growing spiritually. This interview has generated a lot of buzz and we highly recommend making some space in your life to take a listen!
Peace,
Leo & Greg
Now for more on our guest:
Peter Marinelli has been sober over 21 years and has dedicated his life to helping others recover from alcoholism and drug addiction. As an international circuit speaker, Peter has given hundreds of talks across the US and Europe on subjects related to recovery. He has spoken at numerous treatment centers, universities and before medical organizations to both suffers and clinicians alike. Peter has also been invited to speak for the National Council on Alcoholism and been a guest on talk radio (Afflicted and Affected) and done workshops on Spiritual Transformation for various religious organizations. Peter has spent the majority of his sobriety in the Treatment Industry and his mission is to help addicts and alcoholics recover from their fatal illness.
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Comment by Terry on 21 March 2010:
This is, frankly, the most poignant message you have presented. Peter has been the single most focused speaker I’ve experienced on your teleseminars. Of course that feeling may come from the fact that alcoholism is rampant in my family history. Most of my elder generation dealt with this. My son has faced death twice now because of this and I’m grateful to say that he has been sobber for a year. My wife and I both realize that this is, what we believe to be, a hereditary trend. We also face the challenge of using alcohol to retreat from what is.
Peter has come across as a true enlightened being. He goes beyond just being sober…he truly knows what being is.
I can’t tell you how much this message means to me. I want to say again I can’t tell you, truely, how much this message means to me,
I believe that there are so many of us that struggle with this but are yet unknown. Thank you so much!
Comment by Terry on 21 March 2010:
You guys are really challenging me! I’m near 60 and I often think that you are not going to offer much that I don’t know. Yet, every single time i check in you just blow me away! This seminar with Peter was extraordinarily meaningful to me. I will add you two to the list of my teachers that I would love to meet and give a great big hug too! This could be counted a miracle since I never wanted to touch people until just a couple of years ago. It’s a long storey, but now I can’t help wanting to hug people.
Terry
Comment by Greg on 23 March 2010:
Hey Terry! I couldn’t agree more with your impression of Peter. One of the most conscious people I know. And on top of that such a depth of experience with addiction and recovery – which as you say so many of us struggle with.
So glad to hear that we are challenging you!! I look forward to the day we meet and getting my hug!
Take care, Greg
Comment by Dr. Susan Duve on 27 March 2010:
An excellent example of how the human condition and experience cannot be truly served without addressing it’s many dynamic facets including mind, body, and spirit.
It takes inspired thought and determined action to serve in a system or plan that has proven to move so many into a spiritual awakening that they could not possibly see for themselves in their current state of being. The call to service is sometimes never heard by the man who is interested in serving only himsef.
Peter, I am grateful our paths have crossed. Thank you for sharing yourself in service to others. Your honesty and dedication to this work is clearly an instrument of God and the innate intelligence connecting us all.
Thank you,
Dr. Susan Duve
Comment by Greg on 29 March 2010:
Thanks Susan for your comment. I would also add that addressing the spirit makes it easier to address the mind and body. Spirit is the intelligence that gives birth to the mind and body. By giving attention to Spirit and cultivating deeper insights of this dynamic, I feel that deeper insights into the mind and body will be more accessible and arise more naturally.
Thanks again for your contribution!
Greg
Comment by Peter Marinelli on 29 March 2010:
I’m grateful to have had the invitation to share. As I have learned we “get to” to DO and “get to” BE.
Coming from a place of stillness – a God center, it will manifest in my actions, thereby changing how I live and interact with others.
BLISS is the only word I can think of to describe this enlightened consciousness and even the word itself falls short to the experience.
Addiction is a ruthless illness and never plays fair. Addicts and alcoholics need to experience an inner transformation or spiritual awakening that is vital to recovery.
Questions to consider:
Do I have a mind dominated life or a Spiritually Awakened life?
Is my recovery from addiction, based in abstinence or based in Spirit?
Peace and prayers
Peter Marinelli
Comment by Greg on 31 March 2010:
Thanks Peter for continuing to share your wisdom! Your ability to “come from a place of stillness” was evident throughout the interview and truly appreciated by our listeners. A person can be spiritual and talk the talk, but it becomes apparent rather quickly that they are not “God centered” as you described it. Coming from that God center is earned, and not from playing a role of “the spiritual one.” I appreciate that you have earned that place of stillness and reflect that back to everyone you meet!
Peace, Greg
Comment by Vince Auber on 31 March 2010:
Greg/Peter/Terry/All,
Thanks so much for all the great wisdom. It is truly a blessing for me to have a community to share experiences. I don’t know of anyone in my present circle to share. I am truly appreciative of you all.
Last night was an interesting one. Friends came in from Germany and I went and got steaks for the ocasion. I found it interesting that although many things were going great in my life right now I still just had a feeling of morose/foreboding. Since I couldn’t find a reason for it I just accepted as best I could my pain body. Even though I had these feelings rolling around in me I was still able to function and have a pretty good time. I guess I was just allowing them to be without attaching to them. When I went to bed I had concern I wouldn’t be able to sleep but decided I would do the best I could again. I did wake several times and used that time to go inward. I could see a lot of turbulance in me and just said okay to it. Kind of told my pain body do what you have to do I will be here with you. This morning I awoke and felt okay. I just did a little inner body travel and noticed a little turbulance and said okay. Within a minute or so I was back to tranquil peace. Though I don’t really like the pain body, I feel I am getting to the point of space.
I am kind of looking at it as a separate entity from myself. I say, oh you want to be sad, okay be sad, I will be right here if you need me. The cool thing is I feel peace at my core and just be.
I don’t know if others have this type of thing, but I will go for years on a pretty even keel than it seems my pain body goes a little bonkers and tosses me in the pit. I slowly climb back out but with pressence don’t go as deeply and recover a little more quickly. I have kept myself in this state a little longer than usual this time because I wanted to try and remove the fear from the situation and work on my ability to be space. One of the biggest things my pain body would do is nail me with scary thoughts. Fear would grip me and make my life hell. By facing the fear and accepting/allowing the emotion to flow through me I am taking away its power. The old expression, the only thing to fear is fear itself has a new meaning to me. The more I face the pain body and accept it the greater peace I feel inside.
Maybe one day I will have an awakening but for now I will accept peace.
Though I didn’t sleep real well I feel rested and alert. Maybe my pain body is going back to its dormant state for now. Seems to be on a few day cycle for now, hope to reduce its energy even more with each expression.
Hope you all have a wonderful day! God bless.
Vince
Comment by Terry on 2 April 2010:
Vince,
Well, honestly, I’ve spent a couple of hours here trying to tell you that I know where you are coming from and thinking I can give you advice. But you know what? I think you have gvien me more than I can give you. It seems at first glance you message is one of inquiry, but ultimately it’s an instruction.
here’s my message to you…you are not alone…even after three years of study…my freakin pain body still throws me over the edge when I become “unconcious”.
Peace!
(My current insight…stop “trying”…let what ever is…be okay. Truly…anything…let it be okay…stop “trying”. When you stop “trying” it’s real..now)
Comment by Greg on 2 April 2010:
Hey Vince, congrats on practicing the power of now! Once you awaken to the truth of the ego/pain-body, then they become your spiritual practice. From what you have written, I see they have become your spiritual practice. So glad that you have found space and peace in the midsts of the turbulence. The pain-body may cause more suffering than necessary, but if you can accept what is, then you are on the path to peace.
Regarding the fear, psychologists have a term for this “psychological” response to situations. When you think the worst possible scenario, even though there is no evidence to support it, they call this “catastrophic” thinking. The ego/pain-body are masters at this!
As Terry has mentioned, your message is one of instruction, so thanks so much for sharing your experience with all of us here so we can learn from you!
Take care,
Greg
Comment by graeme m on 5 April 2010:
Dear Peter, Greg and Leo.
It’s been a while since listening to Peter’s triumphant wisdom! Then I was three months into my new life of the 12 Step Program. I listened again last night, now four months in. What blew me away, was to hear Peter use the word Bliss. And here’s why: 3 days BEFORE I accepted, publicly or privately, that I was had become addicted to alcohol and knew no way out – I had a crushing, total annihilation of everything to do with “Graeme.” The world ended. I spent the next 2 days in a fearfull void. My doctor thought I had suffered a nervous breakdown and gave me some pills. On the third day, a dear friend drove to my first AA meeting where I told the world that I was powerless over alcohol and my life was unmanageable. To my total amazement, I did not go mad. That’s what my mind had convinced me would be the consequence of such as confession. Instead, I felt the most gorgeous presence well up inside me. A month later, I was able to acknowledge the source of this inner healing, saying the Step Three prayer, in which I surrendered my life and will to my creator. My point is: 1) I was crushed by the pain of separation (known as alcoholism) and I couldn’t live like that a day longer. 2) I accepted it fully and asked for help (with no belief that help would come). 3) My asking was heard, and Bliss came into me. So, what Peter’s sharing did for me, was simple. He validated my experience. I needed that, from someone who knows, because, I don’t really think I deserve Bliss! And as he said, nothing can happen without total acceptance of what is. It’s either denial and death or acceptance and Bliss! Guys, you don’t know how much I needed to hear that, and to write this. I can’t really share this, yet, in AA groups, because many members have been working the program for years and still seem to be searching for serenity. Not all members are lucky enough to see the essential spirituality of the 12 Step Program. But, honestly, that’s all I see. For me, abstinence is not a price to pay in any sense. It’s more a key to a wide open door….. back to me, and onwards into the NOW. And it’s totally cooooooooool. And all this from a 55 year old, ex hippy from leafy Southern England, with a wife, mortgage, three kids and “two cats in the yard…….Life used to be so hard……” Love Graeme
Comment by Vince Auber on 6 April 2010:
Terry/Greg,
Thanks for the encouraging words. I feel I am heading in the right direction but it is always good to have encouragement. My belief in what is is growing and I feel a greater peace with each passing day. My pain body is a pain, but it seems space is helping me deal with it. The only concious thing I do now is turn towards peace and in turn it shuts off the mind. I feel like I have really made progress recently because I have even gotten the tune in my head to shut off. It usually just run over and over again and I can now get to periods of total silence/peace. It feels good.
I am hoping by being space for the pain body I can make it lose its force and lessen its affect day by day. By being the space I also notice I am becoming friends with my pain and in turn not fearing it. I still have times when I get to total calm and fall asleep, but I think that is natural too.
Don’t be too upset about losing conciousness, I started down this road about 15 years or so ago. Still don’t know what I am doing so it is good that I am trying to allow Source to take over. I pray to Source everyday asking for it to take charge of my life.
Thanks again,
Vince
Comment by Greg on 6 April 2010:
Hey Graeme,
I really want to thank you for sharing your experience and the details of your specific process!
You have also shined light on another trap – the ego’s insistence that you will go mad (or other catastrophic outcomes)by confessing or surrendering. Peter mentions complete surrender as essential, and the ego will resist that act with every once of it’s strength. It equates surrender with death and a literal fear sets in for the egoic entity that has taken you over.
This is why it most folks have to bottom out before “space” can be made for a change. The ego drives you to that bottom, but that bottom is the doorway for a spiritual liberation if a teachings and support structure is in place. So glad that you made it to the other side and have the clarity to see the essential spirituality of the 12 Step Program.
So glad that you have found abstinence as not a price to pay, but as an open door back to the authentic you and into the now! Brilliant!
Sending you positive, loving vibes for your journey!
Greg
Comment by Greg on 6 April 2010:
Your welcome Vince!
To “turn towards peace” is such a powerful spiritual practice! The feeling-realization of peace is a great reflection of being in the Now and the body loves it. I remember Eckhart sharing this ~ Question: How do I know where I am at on the journey? Eckhart: The degree of peace you feel within. Allow that peace to be your guide!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us here!
Greg
Comment by graeme m on 6 April 2010:
Hey Greg & Brian.
Well, it’s now 3am, following the excellent teleseminar with Brian and I have to say that I got SO many constructive pointers as to how, practically, to move forward in what, to me, is a new life. What I got is it’s all about asking the right questions! Eg, it’s not a question of how to stay present OR pursue a creative-work based life. The true question is “how to stay present AND …….” Also, I have the opportunity now to rebuild my life, built around my existing talents but reinvigorated with a sense of higher purpose, or Service. The form of my work doesn’t have to change, but the quality of energy and intent that I give to my work does need to change, shift, open to divine inspiration. And yes, ego does have a place – that’s what will make my contribution unique. The question here is how to use ego as a creative servant, rather than destructive master. And all this is fresh from the call, in the middle of the night. Looking forward to re-living it all via the podcast – no doubt many more insights will arise.
I would like to thank you sincerely for the work that you do, for the chance to take part in tonight’s call; equally for the time you have taken in replying to my posts on FB and LWT website. It’s just great to feel your support at this time in my life!
With sincere thanks
Graeme
Comment by Greg on 7 April 2010:
Hey Graeme,
Thanks so much for joining the call and for sharing your experience. So agree that asking the right questions leads to extraordinary results. Brian left us with some great questions and I know they will support you in rebuilding your life if you choose to put them into practice.
You are so welcome for the support. I keep asking “how is life calling me to serve?” and here I am connecting with you. Divine and beautiful.
I look forward to hearing your feedback and questions once the recording is posted.
Take care!
Greg
Comment by Peter Marinelli on 8 April 2010:
Good morning Graeme
Interesting comments thus far and wish you good health and sobriety.
We tend to try to “figure out” how to stop the ego from running our lives, how to shut down the thinking mind with all it’s voices.
The problem is that it’s our mind that we are relying upon to do this (although it will never tell you this) and what we are doing is like trying to out run our own shadow.
The 12 steps are such a great process to remove the self, be rid of thinking, and experience a spiritual awakening.
Now the mind cannnot understand this and will seek to interfere in this process of “waking up’, and set up road blocks.
The spiritual life makes no sense and the mind needs logic, needs to put God on a spread sheet to figure it all out.
The process of awakening is a a process of removal never addition.
The removal or death of self and it’s manifestation before the physical death.
Old ideas,attitudes, beliefs need to be cast aside in order to experience Presense.
Allow the process of the 12 steps to do what they do and simply seek experieince, seek experience.
Any resistance I have is a product of the mind, but the true liberation will be in oneness with the Spirit (God, Power, Source)
This process has taken me and countless others to a place of silence, Presence, stillness, abundance and peace.
The sense of who we are is never derived from the mind, or thought, the sense of who we are is from Spirit.
A question I ask many who seem to be struggling in any area of their lives when they are “running the show”
is this
How is that working for you?
I don’t seek to have “piece of mind” either, who wants it, if it’s dominating my life? No mind is the key. Being God guided alllows me to use my mind rather then it using me
(No mind = total presense = peace)
peace and prayers and of of Gods blessings
Peter M
Pingback by life...not interrupted - Page 38 - Opiate Detox Recovery on 8 April 2010:
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Comment by Vince Auber on 9 April 2010:
Peter,
What you have just stated above is my exact place I am. No Mind. Thanks and You really do have it. It is a wonderful feeling to just be! Nothingness is the key.
The other aspect of this is integrating it into everyday life. A little more difficult but coming along.
I equate all of the above to the old Christian addage of Body, Mind, and Spirit. Today’s modern philosophy is just body and mind. They forget the spirit and that is a huge mistake. I see Body as simply our form at this moment. Our mind is the animal part of our being in this form. Spirit, that is what the Lord has given us to make us animate. It is our connection to him that always is, as we will always be. This is who we truly are, spirit localized onto a form comprised of body and mind.
Maybe this is all just hooey, but from my perspective it is the truth as I see it. Of course, as I go deeper this too may change.
Peter, it is great to hear your words reflect what I see as truth. Thanks so much.
Regards,
Vince
Comment by graeme m on 9 April 2010:
Dear Peter,
I gratefully receive and honor your kind words.
I count my self truly fortunate to have seen the essential Spirituality of the 12 step programme immediately at my first meeting, 4 months back.
I saw God in those steps, and I felt a presence unknown to me before.
I know absolutely nothing more than what I feel inside today.
I also know,see, and sense that my teachers come to me at precisely the right moment. And you are one of them, and I thank you sincerely for that.
What fun this journey is already…….two days before my first meeting my doctor (never had been to him before) suggested I read The Power of Now; then my first meeting, and the Steps appear.
Then I come across Greg Larsen and Living with Tolle; and then you pop up the very week that I start to feel the need to get deeper into the Spirituality of the 12 Step Programme.
Then I get your personal guidance.
Can you believe that!
From being utterly lost, confused, beaten and without hope, to sharing a profound sense of the presence of God within…….and all in 4 months. Wow.
This rocks.
A day at time, by the Grace, the spirit of Bill W, and those who members of AA who stay in the lifeboat.
Lif , Graeme
Comment by Richard | RichardShelmerdine.com on 15 April 2010:
Thanks for this guys. I’ve give up alcohol in the last few months and being British and having just turned 21 it was really tough and a lot of the points you make here applied to what I went through.
Comment by Joe B on 4 September 2010:
It’s a shame that a guy like Peter who has helped Thousands and who’s intent is pure could be used to open up a Recovery center get it up a running and inject his wisdom and heart and soul into a place and Origins turns out to be a money hungry business like so many others……..
Comment by ALL TRUTH on 4 September 2010:
ORIGINS IS A SHAM WOW…..I HEARD THAT THEY DONT HAVE PETER RUNNING THE PLACE BUT ARE STILL USING HIS NAME JUST LIKE THEY USED HIM…..DONT GO THE SPIRIT HAS LEFT THAT PLACE THEY WILL CRUMBLE AFTER THEY ARE FOUND OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Greg on 5 September 2010:
Hey Joe B and All Truth, I just got a reply from Peter confirming what you are sharing here. That’s unfortunate, as Peter is such a shining light in the world and has helped so many thousands. His wisdom and gifts for guiding those on the path to recovery are so evident in this recording. Thanks for stopping by and getting the truth out about Origins and I’m sure you will join me in sending Peter positive vibes for his journey moving forward! Greg
Comment by Eric R. on 28 August 2011:
Powerful podcast. I’m about to listen again. I’m on the edge of surrender to my food addiction and this helped.
Comment by Greg on 2 September 2011:
Thanks Eric! Surrender is a process, especially with addiction. Food addiction is one of my last hurdles and I’ve been in this process for several years. It’s an ebb and flow, some days better than others. Unlike other addictions that you can live without (alcohol, drugs, and such) I have to eat food to survive. So it feels as though my ego/pain-body recognize this and have focused a lot of their energy on this one area of my life. So I surrender… remain gentle with myself… continue to learn about healthy food choices… and continue to grow in presence power. Sending you positive vibes for your journey! Greg
Comment by Dave F. on 6 September 2011:
Great comments and advice. Have just been to a presentation given by Peter. Grateful during my recovery to have found Eckhardt Tolle books and heard talks by Peter. Gave me insight on my true problem and directions to solution. Have found need to practice the 12 steps daily in order to receive the experience. When I manage to get out of mind (self) and into Now I can finally just enjoy this emptiness. Thanks for all the messages from everyone. Dave
Comment by Greg on 6 September 2011:
You’re so welcome Dave and glad you found Peter, Eckhart Tolle, and us! Thanks for sharing with our community. Peace, Greg
Comment by Peter M on 31 October 2011:
Hi Dave
Glad to be of service and happy that you have found a path.
Blessings
Peter M
Comment by john on 20 November 2011:
The word “expert” really scares me. I am sober over 23 years, and have found that a simple, honest message is the most profound message of all.
We all have “feet of clay.”
Humility is the cornerstone, there are no “gurus” or is that message forgotten???
Comment by Kimmie (from Philadelphia) on 26 November 2011:
I want to thank Peter for this… I have been in and out of AA for 24 yrs and finally am on this spiritual journey and feel that I am finally on the right path. I feel better now with 7 months than I did when I had 5 yrs dry, 3 yrs dry twice…. I feel awesome, I have the real solution!!!!
Comment by Greg on 5 December 2011:
Thanks John! I used the word “expert” to describe Peter… it’s not a word that Peter would use to describe himself. I rarely use that word when introducing a guest, so it is funny that it came out here and that you had a strong reaction to it. Peter is very humble and that is conveyed in this recording. Have you had a chance to listen to the entire interview? Thanks again, Greg
Comment by Greg on 5 December 2011:
Hi Kimmie! Yeah, so great to hear that you have discovered a real solution! Peter does great work and so glad to hear you connected to his message in this recording! Take care, Greg
Comment by Victoria on 14 December 2011:
Hi Peter! Thanks for giving these wonderful talks. I absolutely love listening to you… So peaceful yet so motivating. You have changed my life sir, more than you’ll ever know.
One of your grandsponsees,
Victoria