Double Vision: A Spiritual Perspective on Addiction

I have been wondering what the reason is for persistent bad habits that become addictions. They seem to be bad choices for coping strategies. I am a little bit worried about what you will say regarding the repercussions of bad habits and addictions on future lives and whatnot. However, if you have suggestions on ways to overcome them such as beneficial stones or meditations, I would really appreciate it. I have been addicted to clutter and creating what I would now label filth. Any stones or meditations on that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your advice!

Melley

Susyn:

There has been an increase in addictions over the past few decades, as evidenced by the current popularity of 12-step programs and specialized treatment centers.

Metaphysically, all addictions stem from a lack of spiritual connection. When one aspect in our lives becomes more important than anything else, it dampens our spirits, controls our thoughts and limits our effectiveness in the world. Your addiction to clutter and filth keeps you isolated from the world, creates a cloud of depression around you, and cuts you off spiritually and emotionally.

I wouldn't worry about how this habit will affect you in future lives, for what's most important is how it is stealing your life now on a daily basis. While there are stones you can use and meditations you can perform to reconnect with Spirit for help, it is crucial that you ask for assistance from others as well. You may want to check in your area for support groups relevant to this issue. Talking with people who have lived with your problem will remind you that you are not alone and that the situation is not hopeless.

Quartz crystals are wonderful generators of light and clarity, so you'll definitely want to surround yourself with a few to begin the process of clearing out. You can meditate daily and ask for direction on how to restore your world to order, keeping in mind that a return to balance must begin within by rebuilding your relationship with Spirit.

Remember that when you make a request to Spirit for help, action will be required on your part as well. You will have to do your part by following the guidance you receive during your meditations. If you can set up some boundaries and commitments as you talk with Spirit, you'll find it easier to take action.

For example, if during your meditation, you are inspired to clean the kitchen or your bedroom, make a plan. First, decide how much time you will devote to cleaning that day. Even committing 30 minutes or an hour a day will result in tangible changes within the first week. Once you have completed a room, give yourself a reward for your efforts. If you buy something nice for the room, say a new lamp or bedspread, it will change the energy in the room and inspire you to keep it orderly.

Your biggest challenge may be maintaining your home once you have cleared it of clutter. You'll have to keep praying and working on your spiritual connection to remain free of this addiction.

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Mata Maya:

I usually see two main issues at work when helping people work through addictions. The first possibility is the least common; this is when an attached entity is driving the addiction.

When people who are addicted to alcohol, drugs, food, sex or any other physical pleasure die, there is a good chance that they will remain earthbound. This is because they aren't really free to move on in the afterlife any more than they were free to pursue a constructive path when they were living. These spirits may then attach to the living and attempt to feed their addiction by influencing the living to drink, use drugs, overeat, etc.

It's important to note that in order to be vulnerable to attachment by such an entity, one must have the same addiction or a predisposition to it. Thus people who drink to excess will attract the earthbound spirits of alcoholics, and people who use drugs may attract spirits addicted to the same substances. This is how addiction in this life can affect our future lives as you say; it can keep us from moving on when we leave this world.

As for why a person becomes addicted in the first place, in my view it is always to avoid emotional pain that is perceived to be greater or more threatening than the problems the addiction itself may cause. People engage in addictive behaviors to avoid dealing with deeper issues.

Past experiences and past lives do sometimes come into play, especially in addictions like the one you are struggling with. For example, if in the past, you got rid of something you desperately needed later or accidentally threw out some treasure, you could develop something of a phobia regarding letting go of unneeded items.

Since the issues a person is avoiding through addictive behaviors are unique to that individual, it's important to seek personal therapy. I don't recommend the use of stones or meditations here; instead, you need someone to guide you in becoming conscious of whatever is driving the addiction so you can work through it and replace any unwanted behaviors with more rewarding, constructive habits.

You are correct that addictive behaviors are poor choices for coping methods. They are attempts by your subconscious to get through the day without having to face painful feelings. A good hypnotherapist will be able to help you to heal and release those painful feelings and reprogram your subconscious mind to cope with uncomfortable feelings in a healthier way.

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.