Mindful Recovery, Chico Ca (2025)

11/09/2023

Angela was found living at the Walmart with her siblings, and was previously feral. After being worked with for 8 weeks she is almost ready for her forever home!

She is approximately 16 weeks old, vaccinated, flea treated and dewormed, and will be spayed mid September.

She seems to be very independent, but loves treats and is beginning to love scritches and pets. Her coat is extremely soft, and her coloring is unique (white Siamese like coloring with stripes!) Her purr is very subdued, but you can tell she is desperate for loves. She will just need extra time and patience.

If you are interested in adopting Angela please message me! I and willing to travel within the US to get them to their homes!

Because she is my least socialized baby, she may need more 1x1 time with me before she is ready. But she will be worth the wait!

11/09/2023

Meredith was found at the Walmart with her siblings and mama, and had no human contact until 8 weeks ago. She is definitely the tinyest of the bunch, and has the cutest little face!

Meredith is approximately 16 weeks old, vaccinated, dewormed, flea treated and will be spayed mid September. She has an interesting mix of coloring, I call her a calico-ey tabby.

She is gaining confidence every day, but her rambunctious siblings make it challenging because she is so tiny, and they like to play rough. She is often left out at feeding time, and play time. She could really use someone who has the time to spend with her to help her build that confidence. More socialized than Angela (see other post) she loves attention and treats, and will most likely progress faster with 1x1 time.

If you’re interested in Meredith (or any of the other 3 kittens) please message me! I am willing to travel with the US to find their forever homes!

11/09/2023

Toby was previously feral living at the Walmart with his siblings. After being worked with daily, he has become such a cuddle-bug! He demands belly rubs, treats and play time.

Toby is approximately 16 weeks old, he has been vaccinated, de-wormed, flea treated and will be neutered mid-September.

Orange cats are known for their silly behavior, and Toby is no exception!

If you’re interested in adopting Toby please send me a message!

25/09/2021

"Between stimulus and response lies a space. In that space lies our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." - Unknown Author

Working with this concept of ‘feeling tone’ could be called ‘the art of non-reactivity.’ In this day of practice we will be exploring, and intentionally improving our relationship to the present moment through exploration of feeling tone. We will be cultivating our ability to grow this 'space' between stimulus and response, rather than reacting simply out of our conditioning.

A silent daylong retreat gives us the opportunity and the conditions needed to support us in deepening our practice, and to give ourselves the precious time we need to gain insight and wisdom around our habits and reactivity.

The day will consist of some guided meditation, a talk on feeling tone, and alternating periods of walking and sitting meditation in silence. There will be a break for lunch and some time for Q&R (questions and responses).

Please pre-register by emailing Bhakti @ heartofthelotussangha@gmail.com

*this silent retreat-style day may not be appropriate for those with zero meditation experience. Please DM me if you are unsure or have any questions!!!

20/04/2021

The Beatles had it right, “Let it Be”
When we use the term “let go” it can add in an unnecessary sense of control, control that we don’t actually have.
How many times have you been told to just “let go”? Well sometimes that just isn’t an option, or just isn’t possible!
We mostly have so little control over the mind, when we stop battling with it, or stop trying to force it to bend to our will, that’s when the magic happens!
This can apply to so many mind states, but since this IG account is about recovery, let’s talk about cravings.
Cravings can be so insidious. They sneak up seemingly out of nowhere and completely grip the mind with obsession.
If we bring an attitude of “let it be”, without engaging, and without perpetuating the thoughts, the thoughts of using may actually quiet down and disappear.
How do we actually do this? Engage the rational part of your brain by saying, “this is craving”, “these are thoughts of using” and let them be!!!
If you are in early recovery, and don’t have much experience with training the mind, and the thoughts are too overwhelming, please talk to someone. Your thoughts have less power over you when you speak them out loud!
Please comment below ⬇️ about your experience with “let go” vs “let be” and how changing your relationship to your thoughts in this way has supported your recovery!

05/04/2021

Just a reminder that my six week course on mindfulness starts a week from tomorrow! *Link in bio or message me to find out more!!

02/04/2021

As promised, here’s the guided meditation on perception! If you haven’t watched my previous video that talks about this please do so before you meditate with me 🧘🏻‍♀️Enjoy!!

28/03/2021

I’ll be talking about the three ways our perception flavor and color our experience: pleasant, unpleasant, and neither.

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that’s space lies our ability to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and happiness” - Stephen Covey

The quote above pretty much sums it up! And for those of us in recovery this ability to make better choices when it comes to our responses is crucial!

If you’d like to learn more about mindfulness and how it can support your recovery, check out the six week course I’ll be teaching that starts in just a couple weeks! Held locally in Chico Ca, masks and social distancing! *Link in Bio, and thank you for watching! ☺️🙏

22/03/2021

In preparation for my upcoming video post that will focus on a concept called ‘feeling tone’, I wonder what you think of this quote from Shakespeare...?

Do you agree that it is only our thoughts that make something ‘good’ or ‘bad’? Or are things inherently this way?

This is a concept that mindfulness can help us to begin to investigate...is the sound of the garbage truck inherently annoying? What about the sound of birds chirping?

Here’s a good example: my partner tends to put the silverware away, in a way that I believe is wrong, the handles should all be facing the same way! 😜 Is it inherently bad or wrong to put them away like that? Or is it my perception that causes me to feel frustrated when I open the silverware drawer? As an addict, I need to constantly be aware of my need to control my environment, and continually let it go! Otherwise I would be unhappy most of the time. Mindfulness helps me to see these tendencies very clearly.

We tend to add our beliefs, perceptions and conditioning to circumstances without even a second thought, and it often causes us pain, discomfort or irritation.

I encourage you to explore this concept, and find out for yourself!! Please comment below on your thoughts!! ⬇️

Interested in finding out more about mindfulness? I have a six-week course on mindfulness for those in recovery from addiction that starts April 13th! If you live in or near Chico, this course will be held in person! *Link in Bio*

11/03/2021

Are you interested in learning more about mindfulness and meditation and how it can support your recovery from addiction?

This six-week course on mindfulness will explore and introduce you to concepts and practices that can support your on-going recovery!

The recent explosion of research on mindfulness has shown that it can:

•reduce anxiety
•reduce cravings
•increase feelings of happiness and well-being
•and reduce the likelihood of relapse!

50% of the proceeds will be donated to Skyway House, a non-profit serving the community by offering services for those who are in need of drug and alcohol treatment.

Scholarships available! No one will be turned away for lack of funds!

Madeline is a Substance Abuse Counselor at Skyway House Outpatient Services, where she weaves her knowledge of mindfulness and other awareness practices into her role as a counselor. Madeline is also a Registered Yoga Teacher and a mindfulness teacher-in-training, through the Mindfulness Training Institute, accredited by the Mindfulness Teachers Association. This course will serve as the practicum for her teacher-training, and is therefore offered at a low cost.

11/03/2021

Another way we can practice mindfulness, and how it relates to recovery from addiction! I’m not going to say much more, cuz I already say a lot in this video 🤪

Thanks to everyone who has been watching and meditating with me!!

To learn more, go to my website *link in bio* and you can also register for my 6-week course on mindful recovery that starts in April!! Held locally in Chico, Ca, space is limited!

09/03/2021

Cookie Thief

A woman was waiting at the airport one night,
With several long hours before her flight.
She hunted for a book in the airport shop,
Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop.

She was engrossed in her book, but happened to see,
That the man beside her, as bold as could be,
Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag between,
Which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene

She read, munched cookies, and watched the clock,
As the gustly "cookie thief" diminished her stock
She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by,
Thinking, "If I wasn't so nice, I'd blacken his eye!"

With each cookie she took, he took one too.
When only one was left, she wondered what he'd do.
with a smile on his face and a nervous laugh,
He took the last cookie and broke it in half.

He offered her half, and he ate the other.
She snatched it from him and thought, "Oh brother,
This guy has some nerve, and he's also so rude,
Why, he didn't even show any gratitude!"

She had never known when she had been so galled,
And sighed with relief when her flight was called.
She gathered her belongings and headed for the gate,
Refusing to look at the "thieving ingrate".

She boarded the plane and sank in her seat,
Then sought her book, which was almost complete.
As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise.
There were her bag of cookies in front of her eyes!

"If mine are here," she moaned with despair.
"Then the others were his and he tried to share!"
Too late to apologize, she realized with grief,
That she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief!!!!

By: Valerie Cox

Mindful Recovery, Chico Ca

11/09/2023

11/09/2023

11/09/2023

25/09/2021

20/04/2021

05/04/2021

02/04/2021

28/03/2021

22/03/2021

11/03/2021

11/03/2021

09/03/2021

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