ELSA Recovery is a community in which Stephen Batchelor's secular dharma teachings are blended with practical applications aimed at recovery from addiction.
In this community, Batchelor's concept of a 'cartography of care' is leveraged as a structured, compassionate approach to dealing with the challenges of life, including addiction, as we cultivate 32 virtues and skills that assist us in our recovery and personal growth.
ELSA Recovery enriches its programme by including secular interpretations of traditional Buddhist teachings, in particular Stephen Batchelor's perspective on the eightfold path. Known for his secular and agnostic approach to Buddhism, Batchelor reinterprets the ancestral teachings in a way that makes them accessible and relevant to contemporary life, replacing orthodox religious beliefs with a focus on ethical and philosophical exploration.
This format is particularly suitable for people who are looking for a non theistic spiritual framework that emphasises pragmatic, ethical and mindful living as tools for overcoming addiction. By focusing on developing skills rather than stressing belief claims, participants work towards developing a deep understanding of their reactivity, behaviours and thought patterns, with a view to a sustainable recovery outcome.
Overall, ELSA Recovery offers a holistic, structured path in which ancient wisdom is integrated into a modern, secular format, helping people to not only recover from addiction but also live meaningfully and contribute positively to their communities. Using this approach, participants are empowered to free themselves from the grips of addiction and cultivate a life filled with purpose and care for others.
| If you would like further information or wish to join our peer-led addiction recovery group please visit our website at http://www.elsarecovery.org/ or send us an email at mailto:ask@elsarecovery.org. |
What is ELSA?
This approach is based on Stephen Batchelor's interpretation of the Four Noble Truths as four tasks, using the acronym ELSA:
- - Embrace life
- - Let reactivity be
- - See reactivity stop
- - Actualise a path
A straightforward yet profound approach to addiction recovery, each element represents a step in a process that can be tailored to address the challenges faced by each individual in recovery, offering a contemplative and secular approach to overcoming addiction.
Here's how each step of the ELSA framework can be applied in the context of addiction recovery.
Embrace life
In this first step, a person fully acknowledges and accepts their current reality, including the nature of their addiction and its impacts. Embracing does not mean approval or resignation, but recognising and accepting emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations without denial.
This acceptance helps us build a foundation for genuine change and recovery as it allows each individual to face their own challenges with openness and honesty.
Let reactivity be
When we let go, and let be, we free ourselves from the habitual reactions that perpetuate cycles of addiction. Noticing our reactivity when it arises, we develop skills that enable us to no longer feed and perpetuate these reactive patterns.
This includes letting go of negative behaviours, toxic relationships, and self destructive mindsets. It emphasises the importance of discontinuing the patterns that feed the addiction, whether they are mental (such as anger or denial), emotional, or physical actions.
See reactivity stop
This step involves recognising those brief moments when habitual reactions and behaviours cease, giving us insight into what true freedom from addiction actually feels like.
Observing these moments of cessation helps reinforce the possibility of recovery, highlighting the peace and clarity that come from not engaging in addictive behaviours. In addition, it enables us to choose how to respond to life within an ethical framework, rather than behave reactively with habitual patterns.
Actualise a path
In the final step, we actively create and follow a new path which supports sustained recovery.
This draws on Batchelor's interpretation of the eightfold path as a middle way. As we step along this path, we develop new, healthy habits and relationships, engage in supportive activities, and continually apply the insights we gain through the recovery process. We take steps to build a life that aligns with our values and aspirations, free from addiction.
The strength of using the ELSA framework lies in its simplicity and adaptability, making it a powerful tool for people who are looking for an approach to recovery that is both secular and mindful.
The eightfold path - a middle way
An interpretation of the eightfold path in the context of recovery from addiction focuses on applying Buddhist principles in a simple, accessible, and secular way. This adaptation might emphasise personal and ethical development through mindfulness, mental discipline, clear seeing, creativity, practical application, diligent effort, honest communication, and making life-supporting choices.
Here's a deeper look at how each component could be integrated into a recovery programme.
Mindfulness
Cultivating a continual awareness of our thoughts, emotions, and sensations, particularly our reactive patterns.
This helps people in recovery stay present and aware, enabling them to manage cravings and triggers effectively, promoting a state of mental balance.
Collectedness
Developing a focused, composed mind through practices such as mindfulness and meditation.
This enhances our ability to concentrate and maintain mental stability, providing a foundation for dealing with the psychological aspects of addiction.
Perspective
Adopting a realistic understanding of addiction as a treatable condition, we recognise the impermanent nature of cravings and emotional states, and develop a perspective that is free from fixed views and opinions.
This encourages a more objective and less judgmental approach to our own experiences and behaviours.
Imagination
Harnessing the power of creative thinking to envision recovery and a positive future free from addiction. To imagine new ways to respond rather than to habitually react to the difficulties that arise in our lives.
This involves setting intentions that align with our personal values and aspirations, serving as a motivational force.
Application
Putting into practice the principles and strategies learned through recovery programmes.
This includes making consistent efforts to avoid relapse as well as promoting healthy, constructive behaviours and habits.
Work
Engaging in work and activities that do not harm oneself or others.
This ensures that a person's professional life and personal pursuits support their recovery and overall wellbeing.
Voice
Using communication as a tool for honesty and integrity while cultivating our own true voice.
This is about speaking truthfully and helpfully, facilitating open, supportive interactions that foster recovery, connection and community. In finding our authentic voice, we gain the courage to become the person we aspire to be.
Survival
Taking actions that support life and lead to positive outcomes for all.
This includes behaviours that ensure physical health, mental health, and emotional stability, directly influencing our ability to thrive without dependence on substances.
By reinterpreting traditional Buddhist elements through a modern, secular lens, Stephen Batchelor has provided a framework which is both practical and profound, and is capable of addressing the complex needs of a person who is struggling with addiction.
This approach not only aids us as we overcome addiction but also helps us to cultivate a richer, more meaningful life.
In practice
ELSA Recovery will hold weekly Zoom meetings for people who are suffering from or in recovery from addiction. You are invited to take part in these online meetings in which we will explore ELSA in a recovery context alongside your usual recovery meetings.
Each session will start with a brief check-in which will be followed by a short talk on a specific topic by someone who is familiar with ELSA. Talks will be topic-based, concentrating on specific skills, virtues and practices that help us to cultivate ELSA, talks that utilise Stephen Batchelor's 'cartography of care'.
There will be flexibility on the topics discussed depending on the needs and understanding of the members of the group.
We will reflect on what has been offered in meditation for five to ten minutes. After reflection, members of the group will then be encouraged to share on the topic as it pertains to their experience, through the lens of addiction recovery. Sharing will not be compulsory, and members' shares will be treated with confidentiality and supportive care. If the group becomes large and unwieldy, we will use breakout rooms.
While this will be a peer-led community of equals who help and. support each other, wise friends with solid recovery will be there to help those who are struggling. A system of safeguarding and a code of conduct will be in place.
By sharing and listening, we will build a clearer, creative picture of how to use ELSA in addiction circles. The intention is that as a group we can gradually start to develop and write up these ideas, with the aim of producing an addiction recovery handbook through the lens of ELSA within a secular dharma framework.
If you would like further information or wish to join our peer-led addiction recovery group please visit our website or send us an email.
ask@elsarecovery.org or https://www.elsarecovery.org/
About
My name is Dr Cathryn Jacob and I have been in recovery for a number of years. I initially worked a 12-step programme,and became a sponsor and then teacher of the steps.
Like many, I became uneasy with the concept of a higher power and, through exploration, I moved towards a dharma-based recovery.
A meditation instructor, in 2023 I completed a year long face-to-face Secular Dharma course that was taught by Martine and Stephen Batchelor with Bernat Font Clos through Bodhi College.
As a retired medical doctor specialising in mental health who obtained a Royal College of General Practitioners Diploma in Drug and Alcohol Addiction and Treatment, I believe I have the knowledge and experience to be able to help and mutually support others as we imagine a new path for those of us who are struggling in the samsara of addiction.
