Addiction- The Hole In Your Soul

During the course of my spiritual growth, I realized that most people are addicts, in one way or another. And that addiction is not a physical or a psychological disease, but a disconnection from Source Energy and from our Higher Selves.

When were disconnected from our higher selves (the source of love and higher emotions), we must look for something outside of ourselves to fill that hole in our soul. This attachment or craving (not desire, as is popularly believed) is noted, in Buddhism, as the cause of suffering.

And so we turn to people, relationships, sex, food, alcohol, drugs, meditation, prayer, caffeine, cigarettes, television, music, work, exercise, shopping, gambling, internet usage, pornography and other ways to bliss out, just so that we dont have to face the fact that weve disconnected from our life path and from the purpose that we came here to fulfil.

Thats why all programs for recovery from addiction, like the 12-step program, mandate a reconnection with a Higher Power as essential for recovery.

But, you might say, almost all of the things Ive listed above (barring TV, internet, pornography and stimulants) are necessary for existence. So how do you know when something becomes an addiction?

The easiest way to know this is to CHECK YOUR INTENTIONS. Be honest with yourself about why you believe you need it. If TV is merely a distraction, if you use food only to nourish your body, if you turn to people and relationships solely to stay connected, you are most likely not addicted to these things.

Another way to test if youre addicted to something is to GO WITHOUT IT. If you can easily do without it for a while, especially under stressful circumstances, you are most likely not addicted.

But if you compulsively do any of the following - overeat, get drunk, smoke, gamble, take drugs, cling to relationships and people, exercise too much, watch too much porn or do anything to bliss out - you may be using it to fill that hole in your soul, to mask your disconnection from the true nature of your being.

If thats so, then you need to rediscover your life purpose and reconnect with Source, by doing the psychological and spiritual work you need to become whole again. Some of the attitudes that helped me heal my own codependence are:

Self-awareness: Becoming an observer of my emotions and reactions.

Self-love: Knowing that I am worthy of love, that it has to come from within me. Learning how to develop high self-esteem and stronger boundaries.

Self-acceptance: Learning to accept my flaws and forgive myself for my mistakes.

Detachment: Detaching from a situation so I can respond appropriately.

Overcoming my fears: Learning to act from Love (Higher Self) rather than Fear (Ego).

Copyright Priya Florence Shah
Priya Florence Shah is the Editor of Naaree.com, the magazine for the new Indian woman. She blogs about self-improvement and spirituality. Click here for relationship tips and advice.This article may be reprinted as long as the resource box is left intact and all links are hyperlinked.

How To Stop Porn Addiction
Step one: Do you admit you have a problem? Do you realize just how much damage porn addiction can do to your life and your relationships? Do you really want to know how to stop porn addiction? OR are you just hoping there is an easy one click cure?If you are looking for a quick fix then the same problems that cause your porn addiction are still act...

How To Break A Porn Addiction
Breaking any addiction is a complex process that involves understanding and action and how to break a porn addiction is just the same!While this may seem simplistic lets look and see how important each one is and how they fail without each other.Action Action is important; if you procrastinate over doing something then you will never get it done. M...

Alcoholism Belize Treatment - Things You Must Know
Alcoholism Belize treatment can be given in Belize in the centers dedicated for such treatment This country located in the Central America is an excellent tourism place with its natural setting. People who are addicted to alcohol can get treated in Belize in this beautiful environment which itself soothes your mind, body and soul. There are many tr...

Addiction - a Shortcut to Happiness?
Over the years, addiction has been described in many different ways - as a moral weakness, a lack of willpower, an inability to face the world, a physical sickness, and a spiritual illness. However, addiction can be more accurately described and defined in the following way:Nearly all human beings have a deep desire to feel happy and to find peace ...

Gambling Addiction Is Silent And Self Destructive
Gambling addiction is silent and self destructive until the compulsive gambler wakes up and realizes this is not how they want to live their lives. A change is in order. Its now time to find a solution in order to stop their addiction.Over the past year, I have met a lot of people who have been able to face their demons in order to stop their gam...

A Look At Cocaine Addiction Treatment
Treatment for cocaine addiction is of the utmost importance for anyone suffering from cocaine addiction. Cocaine addiction treatment is often the only way someone suffering from cocaine addiction can overcome his dependency on cocaine. It is a very addictive drug and difficult to shake off on your own.Cocaine addiction treatment can come in a vari...

Learning To Say No: Tips For Parents With An Addicted Child On Caretaking Vs. Caregiving
How do you know when you are care taking someone or just giving care? This is the most asked question in the family dynamics of a family dealing with an addicted member. I am going to address this topic from the perspective of a parent with a child who has an addiction.Learning how to say no or not care too much that one looses their own identity ...