The Three Poisons of the Bodhidharma to Avoid at All Costs – Step 6

Three skull and cross bones bottles: Greed, Anger & Delusion w/ sfz title

“The ignorant mind, with its infinite, afflictions, passions, and evils, is rooted in the three poisons. Greed, anger, and delusion.”- Bodhidharma (c. 5th century AD) Zen Buddhist monk & founder of Kung Fu.

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What delusions that you mistakenly hold about yourself that you feel oughta be SMASHED?

OR

How can we tell the difference between what is true and what is only a delusion?

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The Grand Illusion w/ lyrics (Styx) (4:38)

The Most Amazing Magic Trick Ever (1:19)

Bodhidharma & True Power Meditation (3:03)

 

English Analysis

The three texts speak of struggle, suffering, and the need for awakening. The Big Book stresses honesty with oneself. Denial fuels delusion, which blocks recovery and clarity. Recovery begins when illusions collapse and the truth takes root.

Carl Jung wrote about the “shadow,” the hidden self within us. He argued that ignoring the shadow invites chaos. Like The Big Book, Jung believed truth must shatter delusion before transformation begins. The addict’s false belief mirrors Jung’s shadow that lurks unseen.

William James, in The Varieties of Religious Experience, described surrender. He saw surrender as a key to change. Addiction requires a similar humility. By admitting defeat, one gains strength. The words in The Basic Text echo this surrender. Facing the “bottom” becomes the pathway to life.

Bodhidharma’s vision adds another layer. He described greed, anger, and delusion as poisons. These poisons blind the mind and chain the spirit. Addiction magnifies these poisons until the self collapses. Thus, recovery means breaking delusion and healing the spirit.

Together, today’s Zonr post form one truth. Jung shows the hidden shadow. James shows the power of surrender. Bodhidharma shows the poison of illusion. They meet in the shared teaching: delusion destroys, and truth liberates.


Spanish Translation

Citas

“Aprendimos que teníamos que conceder plenamente a nuestro ser más íntimo que éramos alcohólicos. Este es el primer paso en la recuperación. La ilusión de que somos como otras personas, o que podemos serlo actualmente, debe ser destruida.” (El Libro Grande, p. 23)

“Los que no morimos por la enfermedad iremos a prisión, instituciones mentales o una completa desmoralización… Tuvimos que llegar a nuestro fondo antes de estar dispuestos a detenernos. Era más difícil negar nuestra adicción cuando los problemas nos miraban a la cara.” (El Texto Básico, p. 34)

“La mente ignorante, con sus infinitas aflicciones, pasiones y males, está enraizada en los tres venenos: codicia, ira y engaño.” – Bodhidharma (c. siglo V d.C.), monje budista zen y fundador del Kung Fu


Análisis

Los tres textos hablan de lucha, sufrimiento y la necesidad de despertar. El Libro Grande enfatiza la honestidad con uno mismo. La negación alimenta la ilusión, lo cual bloquea la recuperación y la claridad. La recuperación empieza cuando las ilusiones se derrumban y la verdad florece.

Carl Jung escribió sobre la “sombra,” el yo oculto dentro de nosotros. Argumentó que ignorar la sombra invita al caos. Como El Libro Grande, Jung creía que la verdad debe romper la ilusión antes de que comience la transformación. La falsa creencia del adicto refleja la sombra de Jung.

William James, en Las Variedades de la Experiencia Religiosa, describió la rendición. Vio la rendición como clave para el cambio. La adicción requiere una humildad similar. Al admitir la derrota, uno gana fuerza. Las palabras en El Texto Básico repiten esta rendición. Afrontar el “fondo” se convierte en camino hacia la vida.

La visión de Bodhidharma añade otra capa. Describió la codicia, la ira y el engaño como venenos. Estos venenos ciegan la mente y encadenan el espíritu. La adicción amplifica estos venenos hasta que el yo se derrumba. Así, la recuperación significa romper la ilusión y sanar el espíritu.

Juntos, estas voces forman una sola verdad. Jung muestra la sombra oculta. James muestra el poder de la rendición. Bodhidharma muestra el veneno de la ilusión. Se encuentran en la enseñanza compartida: la ilusión destruye, y la verdad libera.

Pregunta: ¿Cómo podemos saber la diferencia entre lo que es verdad y lo que solo es ilusión?

 

 

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Comments

4 responses to “The Three Poisons of the Bodhidharma to Avoid at All Costs – Step 6”

  1. Eli🌱🫶🏾🫡🪱 Avatar
    Eli🌱🫶🏾🫡🪱

    I used to believe that I could think my way out of anything. Life has smashed that belief for me.

  2. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    Great questions and great answers that I’ve read so far this morning! It is a delusion to think that I could ever drink successfully. I haven’t had those thoughts in a while, but if they ever come up I know what to do I smash the thought immediately because if the thought becomes an obsession it’s a done deal I’m off and running again. God’s got my back if I just open the toolbox and step 6 has a fine set of tools

  3. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    My delusion is rooted in the idea that I have a strong will and when things are going well that “I got this”. Remaining aware that I am powerless against my disease, no matter how things are going, it is critical to staying clean and sober. I am one moment from making the wrong choice and using at any time. I say that, not because I have a desire to use, rather because at any second I could make the wrong decision. Remaining vigilant, working my program and acknowledging that I am powerless against my disease and if I use, my life will become unmanageable.

    Thank you for sharing recovery with me. Grateful.

  4. Elexi W.S.A. Avatar

    I hold delusions that I can be a successful drinker, but don’t get me wrong I do want to stay away from alcohol, and narcotics is why I spend so much time at this, plus meetings. When I have repeated failed attempts in controllin’ my drinkin’ primarily, it lets me know that I’m livin’ a delusion.

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