I have had this book on my kindle for a while now but only started reading it a couple of days ago. Perfect timing. If I had read it before now I would not have applied it to me. The 12 Step Plan Russell is describing is for alcoholics, drug users… I would not have seen that I needed the liberation from my addictions, self-centredness and illusion. I would not have appreciated that I needed to totally rethink my life, world-views and attitudes. I would have seen it as a brilliant, useful, courageous book written by someone who I deeply admire but it would not have applied to me. It would not have resonated with me in the way that it has. I would know that “I am a bit fucked” (Step One) and I was beginning to see that “I could not be fucked” (Step Two). Step Three – I cannot do it on my own – was obvious. I haven’t worked through the rest in the way that Russell recommends (YET) but I need to get to the stage where I am brave enough, courageous enough to “live in a new way that’s not all about [me] and [my] previous fucked up stuff “ (Step Seven).
I started reading this book a few days after discussing world-views in my Dharma study group. All of us have views about how we think we should operate in the world, in our relationships, at work, everywhere. We believe and hope that they will result in the life we want to live. “If I act like this at work, I will do well and get promoted. This will lead to me having more money and power. I will be happier. My family will be grateful to me”. That sort of thing. “If this man does not want me – my life isn’t worth having”. “I need to have the latest iPhone, iPad, huge flat screen to be happy”. We all have views and ways of living life – for a lot of us they are seriously flawed. As Russell says, “We are trapped in a way of ‘being’ that is not working”. I am in the process of trying to change mine – to become more Tee.
It’s a hard journey. I told someone about the ups and downs – the downs are 
huge craters; the ups tiny. He reminded me that it is the toughest thing that I will ever do. Recovery acknowledges and addresses this. Russell knows first hand that it cannot be done alone. But crucially, it is not a one time thing. Steps 10 – 12 are about being committed to daily growth, to stay connected in these new, more authentic world views, to live life for others – not to concentrate on me, my ego.
I know exactly where you are in your journey. Step one, you have become aware and it is the beginning of everything. Pay attention to your feelings and emotions. Many come from your ego which is not your friend. Simply draw awareness to your thoughts when you feel down and watch it dissolve. You have awakened and your journey has begun. Isn’t it amazing that timing is everything. It was no coincidence you downloaded that book and you were lead by intuition. Now that the student is ready, the teacher has appeared and things start to make sense. Best of luck my friend.
“The beginning of everything” – yes that is how it feels! Exciting yet scary. And my ego is there whispering / shouting to me that it is not worth it …. give up. But no – my journey has begun
Thank you xx
This is on my to-read last too!
Its worth putting high up the list !
I’ve worked with people in recovery and active addiction for the last 10 years or so and have often thought about the overlap between a spiritual/ethical path as for Buddhists or similar, to that of the 12 steps. I actually have a Zen Buddhist book all about recovery an integrating 12 step into a Buddhist practice for recovery! Plus, I love Russel Brand – I know he’s a little bit like Marmite but I think he’s really very good.
Russell is marmite – but I love marmite :). There is such an overlap between the Buddist path and the 12 steps I think. What is that Zen Buddhist book? I might need to read it! Your work sounds fascinating (challenging no doubt) too. A “right livelihood”. I am still working out how to achieve that.