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Recently a Toronto, Ontario woman named Julie B celebrated one year of sobriety thanks to AA and her Buddhist practices. Speaking before her AA group, she explained how the Buddhist mindfulness teachings are not only helpful but powerful for dealing with troubling thoughts and a desire to drink. For her buddhist themed presentation she used the acronym S.O.B.E.R -
- Stop – Pause for a moment and consider what you are doing;
- Observe – Think about what you are sensing, feeling and experiencing, and what events led to the situation;
- Breathe – Pause for a few deep breaths in order to assess your situation in as calm a manner as possible;
- Expand – Expand your awareness and remind yourself of what will happen if you keep repeating the unwanted behavior (and how you will feel afterward);
- Respond mindfully – Remember that you have a choice, that you are not required to continue the undesired behavior.
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