This is a great little book containing 90 daily readings for Nicotine Addicts. Although Nicotine Addiction must be treated (one day at a time) for much more than 90 days, this is a great start for those first tough 3 months.

This is a great addition to any daily readings for a recovering addict, and also for Treatment Centers to have in their recovery library. Essential reading for NicA meetings.

Bill Krumbein has written this book out of his passion for koans and the 12 steps. In recovery one of the first things we learn is that we cannot keep what we have unless we give it away, and Bill is very generous. You may or may not be in recovery, and you may or may not have any experience with Zen, or with koans. But if you find yourself with this book in your hands, maybe 12 and Zen is the teacher that has appeared for you. 12 and Zen is fun, challenging, easy to read and may cause great upheaval when and where you least expect it. The relationship between the 12 Steps and Zen koans can be a very healthy one, based on respect, vulnerability and mutuality. This marriage of Western and Eastern spiritual traditions may be very prolific. Illustrated with Bill's own keen Zen photos, the entire book reminds us to stop, ponder, and renew our commitment to the study of what is called in AA, the Language of the Heart. Koans are written in that same code, deciphered only when the mind is not invited, actually excluded from the party.

By connecting one koan to each of the 12 Steps, Bill has created a framework for community to share in the koan/step experience. The book can be used by an individual, but there is a greater opportunity here for a meeting of hearts to share the adventure. Wherever two or more are gathered, we see that `we' can do what `I' cannot. The book also becomes a structured guide for facilitators and leaders of small groups. There is something especially appealing about these combinations, ancient and contemporary, that have no right or wrong answer. They should be approached with curiosity and even better, bewilderment.

The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, and the koans of Zen have been infiltrating my own life and journey for some 15 years now. Bill, on his own unique path, has generously shared this marriage of 12 and Zen through his work with individuals, through his blog and through his small groups at Pacific Zen Institute for several years. Having an opportunity to be a part of Bill's gift to the world is an honour. These are some amazing peach blossoms (see Step 12), and I encourage you to go ahead and meet the teacher.

Jane Derry, Serenity Vista Addiction Recovery Retreat and Treatment, Boquete, Panama

For many years people trying to get and stay sober in a 12 Step Fellowship or through a Treatment Center, were encouraged to NOT stop smoking. People were told, "one addiction at a time", and to take care of the 'worst' addiction, then worry about stopping smoking later. More people die of nicotine addiction than all other illicit drugs combined. It has been shown time and again that people who continue to use tobacco have higher relapse rates. The user is still caught up in the cycle of addiction, craving and satisfying, craving and satisfying. The very act of inhaling mimics the pushing down of the feelings that nicotine is so good at. It numbs the feelings.

Today all quality and serious Addiction Recovery Treatment Centers treat Nicotine Addiction the same as any other addiction. People must not be using if they are in treatment. It is best to detox only once, and deal with all cravings while in the supportive treatment environment.

Nicotine Anonymous is the perfect tool for treatment centers, and for any individual ready to break the denial that smoking is not the 'worst' addiction. Nicotine Anonymous, the Book, is written by an anonymous person who had been sober in AA for many years, yet was still powerless over his nicotine addiction. The book is a powerful testimony to the power of Nicotine. The book tells the early story and history of NicA, as well as stories written by members. It follows the pattern of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

We use this book in our Addiction Recovery Retreat, and no one is excluded, even people who have never used tobacco - although those people are rare. Non-smokers are continually impacted by active smokers in their lives, and this books helps to also identify enabling behaviours of the non-smoker.

A book for every recovery library.

This film was just all around wonderful. The magnificent setting of Tibet is spare and windblown, rocky and wild. There seems nothing superfluous about the lives of the people and the country in this film. What I got from the story was lean and meaningful. A spiritual masterpiece in it's visual and emotional impact. All of the characters are real, multidimensional, sympathetic and engaging, busy in the art of living their lives to the very fullest, right down to the bone.

I highly recommend this film. My favorite line, that keeps resonating with me the day after viewing (and this may be paraphrased)is, "All good leaders go the wrong way in the beginning". It is the spirit of rebellion and passion, mixed with recklessness and ego of youth that is tempered into the wise and trusted servant/leader of the people. This is a great addition to any spiritual library.

Wayne Dyer is simply delightful to listen to. He is a charismatic speaker and delivers his timeless spiritual messages in an accessible and easy to listen to way. Dr Dyer's CD's can be listened to again and again. We use an assortment of Dr Dyer's materials in our addiction treatment facility where our guests are often in the early stages of exploring spirituality. There is just absolutely nothing threatening about Wayne Dyer. Bravo

I am grateful that Dr Dyer continues to help change the world.

Jane Derry
A Home Away Retreat

Wayne Dyer is simply delightful to listen to. He is a charismatic speaker and delivers his timeless spiritual messages in an accessible and easy to listen to way. Dr Dyer's CD's can be listened to again and again. We use an assortment of Dr Dyer's materials in our addiction treatment facility where our guests are often in the early stages of exploring spirituality. There is just absolutely nothing threatening about Wayne Dyer. Bravo

Jane Derry
A Home Away Retreat

It seems that Dr Chopra has dedicated his entire life to raising the spiritual understanding of this planet. He has no shortage of books, CD's, DVD's, and he is constantly on the lecture circuit. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success is a film we share with our guests at our recovery retreat. Spirituality is the foundation of successful recovery from addiction, and Dr Chopra is always non-threatening and inclusive. His lilting dictation commands a respect from even our most jaded guests. I recommend this film to people seeking an entry into what spiritual principles mean.

Jane Derry
A Home Away Retreat

In our addiction recovery centre, we devote a lot of time to Spirituality. The whole basis of the 12 Step program is around a relationship with a "Power Greater than Yourself", and for many people coming into recovery the concept of a Higher Power is confusing and somewhat threatening. We use this beautiful book to talk about prayer, and how it a part of the human makeup, and has been since the beginning of civilizations. In the archeological history of humankind, not all excavated lost communities have schools. They don't all have garbage dumps. They don't all have hospitals. They don't all have a marketplace. But every community ever found and studied, has had a place of worship.

Our guests love the respectful and colourful photographs we work with each week in a prayer assignment. It also gives us a template to loosely discuss different Spiritual Traditions, and how men, women and children throughout time have understood, surrendered to, and loved their Higher Power.

Jane Derry

This CD is lyrical and intriguing. At A Home Away Retreat, we have weekly meditation sessions at our recovery retreat. Our guests are introduced to a variety of types of meditation techniques. This CD is always well received and appreciated by our guests. People healing from the disease of addiction will greatly benefit from meditation time with such a quality piece.

Jane Derry

We have a large, and well thought out film library at A Home Away. All of our films are recovery or spiritually based. Pay It Forward was a natural addition, and it has been very well received. Our guests come broken and looking for a new way to live. This film is all about broken people looking for love and acceptance in the world in new and healthy ways. The characters are very real. The portrayal of alcoholism and all of its bafflement is very accurate.

This film brings tears to eyes, and hope to hearts. It reinforces one of my favorite sayings, "don't give up 5 minutes before the miracle happens".

I recommend this film for everyone.

Jane Derry