Eradicating Addictions
Rim Rock - Way Station 2
Addictions are things or concepts which, if a person is deprived of them, cause that person noticeable anxiety or withdrawal symptoms. We usually hear the word 'addiction' in the context of hard drugs, yet there is a plethora of other ways in which an addictive mindset can affect people.
Some of the most common addictions revolve around common everyday items people ingest, like coffee, cigarettes, sweets and pastries. Other types of addictions can stem from concepts and habits. A person can be addicted to being adulated, sometimes under the misnomer 'loved.'
Huey Lewis and the News had a hit in the 1980's with the tongue-in-cheek title; 'Addicted to Love.' This sort of deep yearning has less to do with romantic love, than it has to do with a person's dire need to be appreciated or just acknowledged.
Then there are people who are, not surprisingly, addicted to romance. Though if looked at deeper, that sort of addiction relies more upon a deep need (whether real or imagined) for one or more of the following; thrill of conquest/seduction, feeling attractive, feeling significant, and/or craving for sex.
Often, such psychological 'addictions' also relate to the common fear of 'being alone' and/or 'being abandoned.' Again, it should be remembered that, the definition of addiction revolves around the addict feeling deep anxiety and/or physical repercussions – if he/she is deprived of that stimulus for any length of time.
One addiction which is growing by leaps and bounds is, not surprisingly, addiction to computers and internet. Hard stats are hard to come by, but certainly there are hordes of young people who would be livid if deprived of using a computer. Similarly, there are many older folks who would suffer noticeable withdrawals from the same deprivation.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a strong term, yet it can go hand in hand with addictive behavior.
How Rim Rock fits in the Equation
The 'equation' in this context, seeks the result of; 'lessening one's addiction(s).' First off, Rim Rock does not pretend to have medically trained staff assisting with such things. Hiring trained professionals would put costs through the roof. Plus, the real advantages of having professional counselors/psychiatrists is debatable.
In Thailand, it's Buddhist monks who usually fill that niche. Perhaps not surprisingly, their counseling is lightweight and heavily relies upon Buddhist scripture and truisms – most of which were written over 2,000 years ago and were aimed at advising renunciates, not laymen.
Rim Rock doesn't recommend or prescribe any types of drugs – though if you need a couple aspirin for a headache, we can probably assist with that.
Drugs, by the way, also include alcoholic drinks, and those too are not a part of the so-called 'equation' for lessening addictions.
If you stay at Rim Rock, and you want to have a beer or a glass of wine, no problem – unless you've made a choice to abstain from the stuff - then that's up to you to try and stick with your decision in that regard. We generally take a casual non-dogmatic approach with most things.
Some reasons why Rim Rock is a fine place to lessen one's addiction are;
- - It's a lovely spot
- - It's away from your regular routine space, so you won't have your regular larder (place to keep food and drink).
- - You probably won't get phone calls or visits from certain people that you may not want to be bothered with.
- - Nature, in it's myriad magical manifestations, is all around.
- - City busy-ness, with its noise, pollution and stress, is but a distant memory.
- - You can replace certain addictive substances or habits – with wholesome food, drink, activities.
- - For those with sleep problems; Rim Rock is as good a place as you'll ever find to nap or sleep soundly.
- - There are a many secluded niches you can find on your own
- - There are also nearby paths to trek to and explore.
Some which come to mind: meandering nature trails with no traffic, a large river, at least two Buddha caves, Several rural temples, a large cave with three chambers, each of which has a natural skylight at its apex, north Thailand's largest red fig tree, rock climbing and scrambling up steep hills.
We are not a medical facility
. . no drugs are administered here.
The difference between Rim Rock and a hospital is the difference between a hospital and a park. One has a lot of dire-faced professionals, high overhead (which compels high fees), cafeteria food, chemical-smelling hallways, and malpractice suits. Rim Rock is quite different.
Rim Rock 'Way Stations'
Choose your own personal path at Rim Rock
We're at the early stages of developing what's on offer at Rim Rock, but we're gearing toward assisting visitors with one of more of the following options. Each of the categories mentioned below are inter-related, so picking one to focus upon doesn't preclude the others.
The items mentioned below are more like 'way-stations' along the life's path, rather than required check points. And like a buffet, you can pick as many or as few as you like, and tarry as long or as briefly as you like at each 'way station' - though it's recommended you follow the sequence, if you choose to focus on more than one item.
Some people need to detox from years of indulgence. Others need to simply continue their on-going process of cleansing their body and glands. Regardless of whether or not you've been living a clean life, chances are you can benefit from additional cleansing. Each person who chooses to focus on this option is dealt with on an individual basis - in order to gauge which type of fasting regimen is recommended for that individual. The emphasis at Rim Rock, is on cleansing at safe and comfortable levels, so as not to release too much stuff - too quick for the body to comfortably deal with.
2. Lessen or Eradicate Addictions
We often hear, in news reports, about drug addictions, but there are many other addictions which affect people from all walks of life. Addictions are basically things or concepts which, if a person is deprived of them, they cause that person serious anxiety or withdrawals. One addiction which is growing by leaps and bounds is, not surprisingly, addiction to computers and internet. At Rim Rock, we use a gentle combination of methods to assist those who choose to lessen their addictive habits.
Not only is lessening attachments a basic premise of Buddhism, it's also a great tool for improving one's life, whether one gives a hoot about Buddhism or not. All people have attachments to things, whether they be physical attachments, like tangible possessions or conceptual attachments, like needing to be admired. The number of common attachments is as limitless, as their eradication is satisfying.
Pretty much everyone has stress and anxiety to some degree. There are tangible things that each individual can to lessen such things. Not surprisingly, they relate to the topics mentioned above. So, even if you come to experience Rim Rock without partaking in any particular program, we can almost guarantee that just by being here, will alleviate some measure of stress and anxiety. You've got to see it to believe it.
5. Developing Personal Creativity
Think back to your most enjoyable moments. Chances are, some of those experiences were probably when you were younger, and doing creative things. Arts and crafts can obviously be creative, but there's a wealth of other ways to express one's creativity. At Rim Rock, the sky's the limit, with music, hiking, music, dance, meditation being just some of the ways to express one's creativity. Kirtan is a Sanskrit word for 'walking single file with others while singing or chanting' - and kirtans are yet another way to squeeze some more enjoyment out of being.
6. Towards Spiritual Enlightenment
At Rim Rock, we have a sort of 'patron saint' though we try not to get dogmatic about it (don't want to have our karma run over our dogma). His name is Milarepa, and he can be described as; 'a Tibetan singer of spiritual poems who roamed the Himalayas 900 years ago.' Some, who are familiar with his story, consider him a living Buddha. Among other things, Milarepa was a supreme master of meditation, who walled himself in to mountain caves and fasted for years on end. We won't go that far at Rim Rock, but we can look to Milarepa for inspiration.
7. Giving Back
It's all well and good to improve one's physical and mental condition, yet there should be some degree of balance involved. A sort of 'giving back' or 'sharing' the insight gained from one's journey of self-improvement. The old saying; 'tis better to give than to receive' rings as true today as when it was first spoken.
Rates for lodging and seminars offered at Rim Rock
Free E-book for filling out our brief survey
Just a few questions, to gauge what interests you - in regards to your personal spiritual growth. Click here
For taking the brief survey, you get the choice of one of three ebooks written by Ken the proprietor of Rim Rock Retreat:
1. Fasting For Health and Highness
2. Life Story of Milarepa
3. Farmsteading in Thailand
For a full list of Ken's books, go to http://www.adventure1.com
Related sites:
Boomerang Rock Climbing and Adventure Park
http://thailandrocks.com
Books written by Ken Albertsen
http://www.adventure1.com
Work Exchange and Home Stay
http://www.wonderfull.com
Ancient kilns found at the Boomerang site
http://www.thailandrocks.com/kilns.htm
Yoga & Meditation Retreat
http://chiangraiyoga.com
