Flowing with Becoming feat. Joe C.Flowing with Becoming feat. Joe C.
Emotional Sobriety: The Next Step in Recovery
When we try to wrestle security from life, we often get pinned. Joe Chisholm offers us this: Dee Hock (1929-2022) wrote: “Life is not about control; it is not about getting; it is not about having or knowing. It is not even about being. Life is eternal, perpetual becoming, or it is nothing. Becoming is not a thing to be known, commanded, or controlled. It is a magnificent, mysterious odyssey to be experienced.” Near the end of Twelve Essential Insights for Emotional Sobriety, it captures the same becoming (the journey) vs. the outcome (controlling): "Emotional stability is achieved in our lives by becoming aware of our toxic beliefs and unenforceable rules, the ideas that make our emotional balance dependent on external conditions.... Once we become aware of these unenforceable rules, we must surrender them. We need to move toward an attitude of “I am okay even if this or that happens,” and away from the idea that “I am okay only if this happens or that happens.” This is emotional freedom. This freedom brings more stability to our canoe; we might even dance in it if we wish!" Learn more about Joe C., Secular AA and Rebellion Dogs here: https://rebelliondogspublishing.com/ Patrick and Allen will be attending Friendly Circle Berlin's "Recovery Reimagined" event in Dublin, more info here: https://friendlycircleberlin.org/recovery-reimagined-2025 Upcoming events with Allen Berger: https://abphd.com/events/ Join an ongoing Zoom meeting wherein participants read Bill Schaberg’s 30 Things: Practical Advice for Living Well chapter-by-chapter here: 11.00am East Coast / 4.00pm U.K. ID: 875 319 1947 Password: 2GROWIN Follow us on social media. Podcast Twitter: @EmSobrietyPod Instagram: thomrutledge2 Joe C. Twitter: @Rebellion_Dogs Friendly Circle Berlin Workshop Group meets every Monday @ 7:30pm (Berlin), 6:30pm (Ireland & UK), 1:30pm EST, 10:30am PST Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5505019905 Allen’s book, 12 Essential Insights for Emotional Sobriety: https://www.amazon.com/12-Essential-Insights-Emotional-Sobriety/dp/1955415129/ Join Allen & Thom at our Thursday night, 7pm PST Zoom meeting on Emotional Sobriety and the Steps (login information below): https://zoom.us/j/330149513 Password: 375986 For our ongoing workshop video series on Emotional Sobriety and the 12 Steps, visit our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHEM2-kqLkfp3I4c0jy-X-g Also, please join our “Emotional Sobriety and Recovery” FB Group at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/120450976662519 We’d love to stay in touch in between meetings.
30:16•11 May 2025
Embracing Life's Journey: Flowing with Becoming
Episode Overview
- Emotional sobriety involves letting go of unenforceable rules.
- Life is about experiencing, not controlling.
- Children naturally cooperate without forceful control.
- Self-awareness is crucial for navigating anxiety.
- Community and authenticity are vital in recovery.
“Becoming is not a thing to be known, commanded, or controlled.”
In this intriguing episode of Emotional Sobriety: The Next Step in Recovery, Joe C. joins hosts Dr. Allen Berger and Thom Rutledge to unravel the complexities of emotional sobriety. The conversation kicks off with a humorous nod to bathroom emergencies before diving deep into the concept of 'becoming'—a journey rather than a destination. Drawing on Dee Hock's wisdom, Joe highlights the idea that life is not about control but about experiencing the magnificent mystery of perpetual becoming.
Thom and Allen explore how emotional stability hinges on letting go of toxic beliefs and unenforceable rules. This shift from external validation to internal peace offers listeners a chance to dance in their metaphorical canoe, even amidst life's storms. They discuss the struggle with anxiety and the futile attempt to wrestle security from life, revealing that true freedom lies in acceptance and surrender. Joe shares anecdotes about parenting, illustrating how children naturally cooperate and please without forceful control.
This mirrors the journey of recovery, where authenticity and community are vital for healing. The hosts reflect on the paradoxes of life, emphasising that self-awareness is key to navigating uncertainty. Listeners will find themselves pondering the delicate balance between action and acceptance, as Thom and Allen candidly share their experiences and insights. As they wrap up, the discussion turns to the wisdom within us all—waiting patiently for us to embrace it. Why should you listen?
Because this episode offers a refreshing perspective on emotional sobriety that challenges conventional thinking, providing you with tools to cultivate inner peace and resilience in a chaotic world.
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