[Narus63]

I was wondering if any forum members have got any tips on how to deal with craving?

In Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness Bhante Gunaratana suggests that say for example your having thoughts about a cake, imagine it as a pile of rotting mould. My problem is that due to strong psychiatric medication I can't visualise anything anymore (I used to be quite good at this, its a technique used in western occult practices). I've also got stunted emotional responses due to having certain parts of my brain chemistry shut down by the medication so even if I visualise the rotting cake I don't get the emotional responses an unmedicated person would.

If anyone has any techniques they have that may be of some use to me I would appreciate them.

[Zvssxstw]

I was wondering if any forum mebers have got any tips on how to deal with craving?

In Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness Bhante Gunaratana suggests that say for example your having thoughts about a cake, imagine it as a pile of rotting mould. My problem is that due to strong psychiatric medication I can't visualise anything anymore (I used to be quite good at this, its a technique used in western occult practices). I've also got stunted emotional responses due to having certain parts of my brain chemistry shut down by the medication so even if I visualise the rotting cake I don't get the emotional responses an unmedicated person would.

If anyone has any techniques they have that may be of some use to me I would appreciate them.

First one should identify from which kind of craving one suffers most. All other slightly lesser cravings are actually connected to that one Super-Craving like an endless looking number of wagons to a slow moving train .

Example...in the typical competition with others that seem to be more attractive a person resorts to all kinds of activities that may be helpful to get attention. Buying fancy stuff and parade it in the open or start a lavish party etc...we all know this kind of behavior. Then when failure becomes obvious the person seeks self-consolation, self-comfort, and self-solace in craving for the so many times quoted chocolate cake etc. or worse....alcohol, smoking, drugs, sex fantasies etc. etc.

My personal magic trick to stop that? I have one that works for me. (alas at least only temporary )

I take a break and hike or travel. I go to areas where there is shortage of the "chocolate like things" and stay in retreat...eat healthy food, meditate, interact with people who never were exposed to particular cravings that have a grip on me. Well that of course is easy done in a country as remote as ours. Yet traveling to a new destination during your holidays...or when unemployed...go camping where you never have been before etc...could be a solution. But who am I to tell others how to stop craving...its the same than all the other ills that keeps us all away from enlightenment.

P.S. Dear Lonely Traveler...sorry to hear that you are in such trouble. I hope and wish for your good recovery.

[Appeselve]

P.S. Dear Lonely Traveler...sorry to hear that you are in such trouble. I hope and wish for your good recovery.

Thank you for your kind words my friend, in truth, developing a calm mind through meditation and abstaining from alcohol have proved to be of more benefit to me than the medication has, learning to watch the mind and how it tricks itself is a useful technique for dealing with psychiatric problems.

[ResistNewWorldOrder]

hi L.T.

personally, i have never practised meditation upon loathsomeness

i have only practised loving-kindness and compassion meditation to help free the mind from craving

for example, if there is craving for sweet foods, such as cake, one can ask: "Is this food healthy for me or is it unhealthy? I am better off with it or without it?"

or craving for sex: "Is my intention towards that person truely beneficial for their welfare or could it cause harm to them or even myself?"

kind regards

element

[BILBONDER]

Hi Lonely travellerBad habits, still, but more so in the past, is my problem, rather than cravings.
DEpression and anxieties have prevailed and the best lesson I ever learned was to work on giving up the blame game.
By attempting to look at, organize and rearrange unproductive thinking patterns (cognative therapy) has helped.
I imagine there is a Buddhist name for this, I do not know it. Also I use acronyms to help with negative inner chatter.
As for cakes as a rotting mouldy mess, I would be worried the vizualization would put me off them permanently.

[whatisthebluepill]

....(cognative therapy) has helped

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy is said to be good and there's information from the Oxford base in the UK here:

http://www.mbct.co.uk/cd-set/


...and other people have said that this book and CD is very helpful "The Mindful Way Through Depression" (second on the list)

http://mbct.co.uk/mbct-books/