Daily Zen - 7th August 2025

Excessive thinking
Weakens the will.
The more you know,
The more your mind
Is confused.
A confused mind gives
Rise to vexation.
The weakened will obstructs the Tao.

– Shih Wang Ming (6th c.)

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WALK IN DRY PLACES #essentialsofrecovery

MENTAL ARGUMENTS ARE BAD THINKING

Serenity

Again and again we hear that bad thinking and drinking are linked together. Bad thinking is any line of thought that tends to be destructive. Mental arguments are in that class because they destroy peace of mind and self-control. We can avoid them by learning acceptance and maintaining serenity at all costs.

Sometimes we engage in mental arguments with those who seem to have defeated us or put us down. This only gives more life to the hurt we have been feeling; in effect, we cooperate in hurting ourselves repeatedly. Even the satisfaction of letting ourselves “win” the mental argument doesn’t really settle the matter.

We can maintain our serenity in all situations by accepting people as they are. We are not responsible for changing their opinions. We must also accept and dismiss past mistakes and failures, no matter who was at fault. We owe it to ourselves not to destroy another moment’s happiness with futile mental arguments that serve no good purpose in our lives.

Once we dismiss mental arguments, we can give our time and attention to things that really matter.

I will not waste a single second on any kind of mental argument. Anything another person said or did is forgiven and forgotten, and it has no power to hurt me a second time.

© 1996 by Hazelden Foundation 

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Daily Zen

Excessive thinking
Weakens the will.
The more you know,
The more your mind
Is confused.
A confused mind gives
Rise to vexation.
The weakened will obstructs the Tao.

– Shih Wang Ming (6th c.) 

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Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery

How Do We Break The Habit Of Excessive Thinking?

Daily Zen

Excessive thinking
Weakens the will.
The more you know,
The more your mind
Is confused.
A confused mind gives
Rise to vexation.
The weakened will obstructs the Tao.

– Shih Wang Ming (6th c.)

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Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery

KEEP IT SIMPLE #essentialsofrecovery

They are able because they think they are able.

~ Virgil ~

For most of us, addiction was full of doubt. We stopped believing in ourselves. Our thoughts had turned to “stinkin’ thinkin’.” We didn’t believe in much of anything. We didn’t take risks. We always looked for the easier, softer way.

In recovery, we start to believe again. We believe in the program. We believe in a Higher Power. We believe in people. And, over time, we believe in ourselves again. We become better at taking risks.

We are able to stay sober because we believe, because we take risks. As we stay sober, we can face almost anything—with the help of others.

Prayer for the Day

Higher Power, I have learned to believe in You. Help me believe in myself. I have something to give to this world. Help me give it freely.

Action for the Day

Today, I’ll list ten good points about myself. I’ll go over these good points with a friend.

Copyright © 1988 by Hazelden Foundation 

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DAILY ZEN #essentialsofrecovery

If you keep thinking "That man has abused me," holding it as a much-cherished grievance, your anger will never be allayed. If you can put down that fury-inducing thought, your anger will lessen. Fury will never end fury, it will just ricochet on and on. Only putting it down will end such an abysmal state.

-Sunnata Vagga

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Guided Meditation for Detachment From Over-Thinking (Anxiety / OCD / Depression) #essentialsofrecovery

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