Product Description

The key to ongoing freedom from alcoholism or any other kind of addiction is right before us, here and now, in the ordinary and perfect present moment. The problem is that addictions are often the result of our efforts to escape living in the present in the first place. Bill Alexander's unique approach uses mindfulness, story, and meditation to help alcoholics and others learn to come back to the moment and to find healing there.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #274837 in Books
• Published on: 1997-08-19
• Released on: 1997-08-19
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Review
"As unpretentious and profound as a drink of cool water, Alexander's book shows readers that simple awareness itself has the magical power to heal."— Publishers Weekly

"Cool Water is sure to be enthusiastically embraced by the countless people who thirst for authentic experience and a trust worthy voice."—Mel Ash, author of The Zen of Recovery

About the Author
William Alexander leads workshops in Ordinary Recovery nationwide. He is also the author of A Man's Book of the Spirit.

Customer Reviews

Limited View
While this book does offer moments of open mindedness the author does not really seem to have a solid understanding of either addiction or of the principals of recovery that are part of 12 Step programs. It is an interesting read but anyone who is truly looking for a way out of addiction needs to find deeper water than this.

R.T.

Mindful Recovery
In a refreshing blend of experience, Zen, and AA, William's book gives both hope and simple mindfulness methods for those in recovery. For me, this book relied too much on the AA program; I was hoping for more Zen. For others, particularly those who follow AA to the letter and tolerate no criticism, William's occasional comments about the shortcomings of AA might be too much. But for many recovering (recovered) addicts/alcoholics who take what they need and leave the rest, this book provides a welcome example of how two apparently different spiritual paths can be brought together to form a greater unity. For those who wish a more complete introduction to Zen, I would suggest "The Miracle of Mindfulness" by Thich Nhat Hanh for warm/fuzzy Zen, and "Hardcore Zen" by Brad Warner for those who like a shot to the head. Either one may help you along the path to recovery.

Great book.
I really enjoyed this book a great deal. Don't buy it expecting a detailed treatise on either AA or Buddhism, but an wonderful positive journey that shows how the two approaches each have great value. It is a very honest, brave, and heart-felt book. My experience is that many books in this genre are either too flowery, dogmatic, or impersonal to be meaningful, but not this one, IMHO.