A Burning Desire: Dharma God and the Path of Recovery Paperback – January 1, 2010

I have read this a bunch of times, and read it every few months in a book-study group; I get fresh insight and great reminders every time. Many, if not most, of my sponsees are Christian, and they invariably get a lot out of it too; no question that even the Intro and first chapter add a lot to how one might come to grasp "spirituality", as difficult as the concept - the sense, the feeling, the view - is to describe in words.I highly recommend this to most anyone struggling with seeming dependence on self-destructive behavior, be it substance abuse, food issues, gambling - whatever.It doesn't hurt that Kevin Griffin is also a very gifted writer; this book wasn't written overnight (sheesh, at least apparently not).: It seems to encapsulate years of deep consideration.I cannot recommend this more highly.

I was dismayed and disappointed when I read the first chapter of Griffin's book, "A Burning Desire." I had read his book "One Breath at a Time" and liked it. We even use "One Breath," among others, in our 12 Step meeting that uses Buddhist principles along with the Twelve and Twelve and the Big Book of AA. I know others, non-Buddhists, who like this book. But "Burning Desire" made me uncomfortable. "God" cannot be understood from a Buddhist perspective. Buddhists are non-theist. The Buddha kept "Noble Silence" regarding such considerations. It feels like an attempt to alter Buddhism enough to please everybody: to make comfortable those who need to use the word "God" with a capital -G-. Each person can surely figure out their own image or god-sense. My personal sense of the "something more than" in the universe is my own sense of it, my speculation, my response. The phrase "Higher Power" fulfills the purpose. Griffin states, however, his "interest...to correct what I(he) think(s) is an imbalance in our understanding of God..." I found that presumptuous, and I was dismayed at the attempt to manipulate Buddhism. (I can't speak for Christianity.) "How can I understand God from a Buddhist perspective?" You can't: even Buddha didn't presume to do that. "How can I "turn my will and my life over" as a Buddhist?" Buddha said to test his teachings and if the teachings didn't fit one's experience to discard them. By the way, the Third Step says to "turn our will and our life over to the CARE of God." It's often misquoted. In the words of the 12 Step program, "Take what you like or need and leave the rest." but please don't mess around with Buddhist theology and confuse people as to what Buddhism is. If they want to explore Buddhism, let them explore Buddhism not some misshapen image of it.

Like Kevin's other work, a Burining Desire is a masterfully crafted examination of the spiritual aspects of the 12 steps mostly through the lens of the Buddhist tradition and Kevin's own life experiences. However, this book is deeper and richer than his other works but often overlooked. I love this book as a companion when doing 12 step study work. It's practial and down to earth and helps me relax into tje steps. Kevin has the words to clear my recurring confusion and conflict about "higher power". My addict would love for me to live in confusion and self sabotage by running away from the Judeo Christian centric 12 step program. Kevin quiets my addict and deepens my path of recovery. I loaned this book to someone and never got it back. I decided it was so important to have that I reordered it. Get this book!

I thoroughly enjoyed his first book, One Breath at a Time, and was not disappointed with this second effort. My hope is that this book will be widely read by recovering people of all stripes, not just Buddhists. The non-buddhist may find much to learn from his discussions of meditation, the "God" steps, and walking the recovery path.After almost 30 years of recovery, I found much in this book to recommend and learn from and recommend it to anyone interested in continued spiritual growth. I especially liked the chapter on the 8 fold path! I expect to return to that chapter again and again for continued inspiration and insight. Griffin doesn't make the mistake that some authors about AA and Buddhism have made in attempting to point out the "problems" or "faults" of AA, AA members, or AA meetings. Instead, he simply lays out his own process of recovery and the integration of the spiritual path of both the 12 steps and Buddhism. By the end, I began hoping to see him at one of my meetings just to get to know him. Bravo!

I wish someone would write a book on Buddhism and the 12 Steps that doesn't have the ability to go half-way around the world for a three week retreat, a more chop wood, carry water type of person. Darren Littlejohn is more my speed.

I found this book to be extremely helpful when I decided to stop drinking alcohol. Kevin Griffin approaches the subject of addiction from a Buddhist perspective, offering what for me was a much-needed alternative to the 12-Step approach. I am not a Christian, and Buddhist teachings provide guidance for living my life in a compassionate and non-judgmental way. Griffin also wrote "One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps", which I read first. He speaks from his personal experience as someone who at one time was addicted to both drugs and alcohol. He has been a meditation teacher for over 20 years and helped found a worldwide organization of Buddhist 12-Step support groups.I found both of these books as well as others that were helpful to me on Amazon, at prices lower than bookstores.If you're looking for guidance that offers another path to freedom from addiction, I wholeheartedly recommend Kevin Griffin's books.May we all be safe and free from suffering.

I really enjoyed this book Yet covered a topic that I haven't seen colored elsewhere in as good a detail The author is white A good writer plus she has experience in recovery I highly recommend this book

A very clear and inderstsnable link between buddhism and twelve step recovery .A highly recomended read for those new in recovery and also people that have been find there path difficult to follow .Kevin gives gentle guidance.

Great book to help your recovery

This is the best book that I've read that shows how Buddhism can work as a "Power Greater than Myself" in a 12 Step Recovery Program. For anyone who struggles with "God," and who has embraced the practice of Buddhism, this book shows just how Buddhism can fit into an addicts recovery program.