The Chuang Tzu – Monkey MountainThe Chuang Tzu – Monkey Mountain
Tao of Our understanding Alcohol Recovery Podcast
A Taoist monkey story sparks a group discussion about ego, fear, anonymity and the pressures of being “special” in recovery. Through humour and personal experiences, the conversation links spiritual principles to daily sober living and the “next right action.”
39:21•15 Sept 2026
Monkey Mountain, Ego Traps and Spiritual Freedom in Recovery
Episode Overview
- Relying on cleverness, talent and distinction can become an ego trap that harms recovery.
- Anonymity helps loosen the need to feel special and shifts focus towards shared healing.
- Fear often hides beneath seemingly altruistic motives, so it’s worth questioning what you’re truly seeking.
- Letting go of the need for admiration, whether in work or on social media, brings genuine freedom and peace.
- Approaching difficulties with humility and love, one moment at a time, can soften pain and deepen connection.
“Be careful what you seek, because you will find it.”
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? This conversation from the Tao of Our Understanding Alcohol Recovery Podcast takes a playful old story about a monkey and turns it into a sharp look at ego, fear, and spiritual growth in recovery. Buddy C is joined by Kate, Drew, Lou and Oscar to talk through Thomas Merton’s version of the Chuang Tzu tale “Monkey Mountain”. The group focus on the prince’s warning: “This animal advertised his cleverness.
He trusted in his own skill. He thought no one could touch him. Remember that! Do not rely on distinction and talent when you deal with men!” From there, they link the monkey’s show-off attitude to the trap of feeling “special” in addiction and early recovery.
Oscar shares how anonymity in 12-step work gently stripped away his need to be “the special one”, calling it “the most beautiful process ever, but it’s not a walk in a park.” Kate unpacks how talents and skills can be useful, but become dangerous when you start relying on them to feel superior or untouchable. Lou adds modern humour with stories of show-offs in films and his own painful attempt at DIY heroics that ended in months of sore heels.
Drew’s experience with chasing likes and laughs on social media shows how subtle ego can be, comparing that obsession to a drug. He describes the relief of stepping away from constant performance and admiration. The group also touch on synchronicity, fear-based decision-making, and the gentle shift from career status to simple, joyful profession. Threaded through the chat is a practical message for anyone in recovery: be careful what you seek, because you’ll find it.
Is it fear and specialness, or humility, connection, and the “next right action”? This episode may prompt you to ask where your own clever monkey still swings from the branches.
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.