The Sober Journey

A Guide to Prayer and Meditation in Recovery

Non-Fiction - Self Help
212 Pages
Reviewed on 10/24/2019
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Author Biography

DIRK FOSTER is a writer, public relations consultant, and recovering addict. He has spent many years studying and practicing various techniques for long term sobriety, which he shares on his blog (www.thesoberjourney.com). He lives near Lake Tahoe with his beautiful wife Dany and Moonpie, their wonderful golden dog.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

We all, at one time or another, have to face life challenges. There is no bigger challenge than facing the world with a sober mind. It can be a frightening prospect but there are tried and tested techniques that we can use to make our recovery less anxious and more of a positive experience. Prayer and meditation have been used since time began, but many of us shy away from such activities due to preconceived ideas. Throughout The Sober Journey by Dirk Foster, you will discover that using prayer and meditation will not only offer you that consistent lifeline of comfort but also improve your wellbeing in every area of your life. The road to recovery is more than living a life free of alcohol, but learning to live a life filled with compassion, humility, learning to be grateful and letting go of resentment. Learning to love yourself is key to your success. This guide will take you step by step and teach you how to respect and love yourself again.

There is nothing better than reading a self-help guide from someone who has lived the experience of the issues discussed. The author tackles the subject of sobriety with a brutal honesty that is not only refreshing but uplifting. He gives insightful methods that are invaluable. I loved how he included his personal stories throughout the book. His explanation of prayer and meditation breaks down the barriers that some people may face when embarking on their own spiritual journey. He guides you gently through the stages of meditation and the different forms it can take. He really breaks down the act of meditation into simplistic bite-size pieces. The analogy of Chattering Monkeys and Passing Clouds was so beneficial to me. The benefits of using prayer in daily life was a definite aha moment for me. I have written many of the prayers down so I can refer to them again. I especially loved the Success and Right Action prayers. I would recommend this book to anyone who is facing challenging times. The Sober Journey is insightful, inspirational and reassuring.

Vernita Naylor

Desperation is the only thing that brings us to our knees so that we can finally ask for help. Desperation becomes our saving grace says the author. It is only desperation that creates a platform for ceasing the addiction, which consists of surrender, meditation, and prayer. The addiction runs so deep that nothing can help but there's hope. In the self-help book, The Sober Journey: A Guide to Prayer and Meditation in Recovery by Dirk Foster, the reader will either see themselves or their loved ones through the eyes of the author as he shares his journey to sobriety. Walking through addiction into sobriety brings struggles and complexities on the pathway to wholeness and it's not easy. Just like partaking in a good weight loss program, living sober is a daily walk. To assist the reader further the author offers prayers that provide solace, inspiration, and hope. This book is a must-have for any library.

I found this book very intriguing because it opened my eyes to the world of addiction and what millions of people in this situation go through on a daily basis. People utilize several things to help them to navigate through the stress of life. People can be addicted to several things from food and prescription drugs to alcohol. They may want to stop but it's extremely difficult. This book is transparent, insightful and addresses the root of the addiction. Those that are addicted are held prisoner and, in most cases, lose everything that they hold dear - from their family and friends to their jobs - before seriously seeking much-needed help. This book will help the reader to know that they're not on their own; help is on the way if they seek it.

K.C. Finn

The Sober Journey: A Guide to Prayer and Meditation in Recovery is a work of non-fiction in the form of a self-help guide, and was penned by author Dirk Foster. Designed for people who are at any stage of recovery from addictions such as drugs or alcohol, this sobriety-focused volume shares both the author’s own personal experiences with addiction and the techniques of prayer and meditation which he used to give himself the strength to complete his journey back to a sober life. The volume is separated into seven sections, taking the reader from introductory ideas about the nature of prayer and meditation into wider concepts and considerations about their relationship with God.

Author Dirk Foster shows a side of himself that many writers would shy away from, delivering a raw, honest opening to his guidebook that assures readers that he too has been in the depths of despair that they themselves will have experienced. The sense of empathy in the narration never lets up, creating a supportive and understanding atmosphere that clings to every explanation and affirmation as the book continues through not only Dirk’s darkest experiences but also his positive and powerful changes. The book is very well organized in its conceptual stages, first allowing readers the breathing space to identify, before giving them a solid grounding in the concepts and the real, practical tools which they will need to engage in using prayer and meditation for themselves. Overall, The Sober Journey: A Guide to Prayer and Meditation in Recovery is a highly recommended and uplifting work for all.