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Lanzarote Day 13 Addiction and Hedonism
Like most of us, my life is full of contradictions. However, I’m also aware that I’m extraordinarily lucky, and for that, I’m truly grateful. I’m living in a beautiful place, with a wonderful person, and I spend my days practising yoga, swimming, meditating, walking, writing and, in the evenings, regularly, drinking and dancing. Often to excess.
Once, before I was living this life, which has changed dramatically over the last ten years, I was lying in bed, listening to the radio before getting up. I found myself suddenly paying attention as a man’s voice (maybe a priest, I’m not sure), said, addicts and others who do things to excess are doing something similar to the spiritual seeker who is desperately seeking a way to connect, to merge with, the other, or to obliterate the self.
I know well that’s not the only reason people become addicts. And nothing I write here is intended to undermine or belittle the fact that people in the throes of addiction harm themselves, others, and the more than human world. All relationships are impacted.
To understand is not to forgive! Or, at least, not necessarily. There is much work to be done before forgiveness comes, but understanding is key.
In some sense, people who engage in addictive activities, or activities that involve changing the state of consciousness…
