19. Ancient spiritual roots tied to addiction

By Tom O'Connell

The notion of addiction being a spiritual problem, or a disease of the human spirit, is not a new one. Mark Keller, a friend and mentor who edited the esteemed Journal of Studies on Alcohol published by Rutgers University, had some provocative thoughts on this subject.

A Bible scholar as well as an alcoholism expert, Mark proposed the idea that Adam and Eve's forbidden fruit was not an apple. Asserting that the apple was not mentioned in the scriptures, he suggested that the forbidden fruit may have been a grape. I still relate to his brainstorm. After all, how dangerous is an apple? But with a little fermentation a grape can alter consciousness, inflate the ego, and help foment rebellion, even against the Creator.

Another ancient spiritual connection with addiction is found in the story of Noah's life after the flood. One of his top priorities was to plant a grapevine. And not too long after that, his own children were embarrassed to find him drunk and naked. This story illustrates once again the ongoing spiritual challenge to humanity posed by alcohol.

In ancient Greek culture, the philosopher Plato believed that humanity had a higher destiny than what we could experience with our senses. His thinking helped free many people from the bondage of materialism and the pursuit of temporary addictive pleasures.

In his "Allegory of the Cave," Plato shows people in an underground cave, chained so they can't move. They can only see straight ahead. Behind them is a fire which casts shadows on the wall in front of them as people carry various objects past the fire. The prisoners can see nothing but shadows, and they assume the shadows are reality.

If prisoners escape from the dark underground existence, the light of the sun outside the cave is blinding. And this can motivate some of the freed prisoners to retreat back into the cave. But, suggests Plato, if the prisoners adjust to the sunlight they will rejoice in their freedom and won't want to go back into the darkness of the cave.

Plato's message is that the human spirit, to find what is good for the soul, must turn from the darkness of the cave and its illusions, to the light of truth, symbolized by the sun. I see his parable as an addiction recovery story. The addict chases illusions, gets lost in mental and spiritual darkness, and then the addiction causes so much pain the person is motivated to try the light outside the cave. For some, the adjustment to reality is too painful. They relapse. For many, the bright light is far superior to the darkness, so they accept the pain of early recovery, choose to grow, and avoid returning to their old ways.

Recovering addicts find a community of kindred spirits where they can share their stories about life as it was lived in the dark cave, and how much better it is to live as a free spirit in the sunlight. The community is Alcoholics Anonymous. And similar communities attract other kinds of addicts who help heal each other with the light of love and truth.

It fascinates me that what Plato said more than 2000 years ago is just as relevant today. Addiction was a spiritual disease then, and it still is. Since all humans tend to be attracted to one kind of addictive behavior or another, we all have a similar choice to make.

Whether mildly, moderately, or severely addicted, we may choose to remain in the cave of dimmed consciousness, or step out into the light of full conscious awareness which can lead a close relationship with a Higher Power. Eventually, this hard won awareness can lead to what some call "enlightenment."

Why choose the narrow limitations of darkness when the fulfilling light of truth and love is available?

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