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Beyond Belief: Agnostic Musings for 12 Step Life: finally, a daily reflection book for nonbelievers, freethinkers and everyone
Now, the 2023 10th anniversary 3rd printing offer a revised Preface, updated links and sources, and for the first time, a a hardcover version. Beyond Belief was the first daily reflection book for nonbelievers, freethinkers and everyone. Rebellion Dogs Publishing delivers less dogma and more bite in the ongoing discussion of mental health, addiction and substance use. Beyond Belief is secular--neither religious nor irreligious--offering a practical daily reflection book in a contemporary language.
From the Foreword by Dr. Ernie Kurtz (author of Not A History of Alcoholics Anonymous & The Spirituality of Imperfection ):"The book is aimed at a general 12-Step readership, but it is mindful that there heretofore exist no such aids for unbelievers, freethinkers, and the unconventionally spiritual. Given that the latest Pew Research survey found that twenty percent of the American people list their religious affiliation as 'None,' it is certainly time that the Recovery world took into consideration this population's needs. Beyond Belief addresses that need in a confident, non-aggressive way. I doubt that any believer will find anything objectionable in its pages. This believer, for one, finds much that is spiritually helpful."
Nothing is sacred or forbidden; we draw from classic and contemporary 12-Step wisdom and we explore philosophy, psychology, entertainment, art, spiritual musings, skeptical inquiry and the uncanny wisdom in the online and face-to-face rooms of mutual aid.Professional and 12&12 Member
Joe Nowinski, PhD, The Twelve Step Facilitation Handbook and If You work It It Works! The Science Behind 12 Step Recovery . "Books like Beyond Belief play an increasingly vital role in supporting individuals, who come from a variety of belief systems."
Marya Hornbacher, New York Times bestselling author of A Nonbeliever's Higher Power author says, "Since its publication, Beyond Belief has more than help up as the cornerstone of the secular recovery movement and the keystone of its literature. It has provided a daily dose of insight, wisdom and a dose of reason for recovering people all over the world. Ten years later, as that world spins madly on, we need the clarity and vitality of these meditations more than ever.Beyond Belief continues to serve as a bacon that can help any recovering person find their way."
“I expected his book to be good. It’s WAY, WAY better than good. The book is outstanding. Two decades of not being a ‘daily reflections� kind of guy, are over. Now I have reflections worth reflecting over! Buy this book or you will suffer a horrible and painful death! Well, maybe not, but you’ll be missing out on something very good.� Bob K, The Secret Diary of Bill W , Key Players in AA History
"Almost everything about the book looks ground breaking and thought provoking, from its interactive format (on the Kindle version you can browse through a hundred or so linked topics such as 'Brain Chemistry', 'Gratitude' or 'Zen'), to its edgy literary style."The book includes an index of over 120 topics, extensive notes and a bibliography. Christopher Burn, writer, psychotherapist, blogger.
Available from Rebellion Dogs Publishing website and your favorite online or brick-and-mortar retailer in eBook or paperback, and now HARD COVER, Beyond Belief is a "go-to" for online and in-person groups and for individual reflection.
From the Foreword by Dr. Ernie Kurtz (author of Not A History of Alcoholics Anonymous & The Spirituality of Imperfection ):"The book is aimed at a general 12-Step readership, but it is mindful that there heretofore exist no such aids for unbelievers, freethinkers, and the unconventionally spiritual. Given that the latest Pew Research survey found that twenty percent of the American people list their religious affiliation as 'None,' it is certainly time that the Recovery world took into consideration this population's needs. Beyond Belief addresses that need in a confident, non-aggressive way. I doubt that any believer will find anything objectionable in its pages. This believer, for one, finds much that is spiritually helpful."
Nothing is sacred or forbidden; we draw from classic and contemporary 12-Step wisdom and we explore philosophy, psychology, entertainment, art, spiritual musings, skeptical inquiry and the uncanny wisdom in the online and face-to-face rooms of mutual aid.Professional and 12&12 Member
Joe Nowinski, PhD, The Twelve Step Facilitation Handbook and If You work It It Works! The Science Behind 12 Step Recovery . "Books like Beyond Belief play an increasingly vital role in supporting individuals, who come from a variety of belief systems."
Marya Hornbacher, New York Times bestselling author of A Nonbeliever's Higher Power author says, "Since its publication, Beyond Belief has more than help up as the cornerstone of the secular recovery movement and the keystone of its literature. It has provided a daily dose of insight, wisdom and a dose of reason for recovering people all over the world. Ten years later, as that world spins madly on, we need the clarity and vitality of these meditations more than ever.Beyond Belief continues to serve as a bacon that can help any recovering person find their way."
“I expected his book to be good. It’s WAY, WAY better than good. The book is outstanding. Two decades of not being a ‘daily reflections� kind of guy, are over. Now I have reflections worth reflecting over! Buy this book or you will suffer a horrible and painful death! Well, maybe not, but you’ll be missing out on something very good.� Bob K, The Secret Diary of Bill W , Key Players in AA History
"Almost everything about the book looks ground breaking and thought provoking, from its interactive format (on the Kindle version you can browse through a hundred or so linked topics such as 'Brain Chemistry', 'Gratitude' or 'Zen'), to its edgy literary style."The book includes an index of over 120 topics, extensive notes and a bibliography. Christopher Burn, writer, psychotherapist, blogger.
Available from Rebellion Dogs Publishing website and your favorite online or brick-and-mortar retailer in eBook or paperback, and now HARD COVER, Beyond Belief is a "go-to" for online and in-person groups and for individual reflection.
- GenresSelf HelpNonfiction
414 pages, Hardcover
First published January 21, 2013
21 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Joe C.
10Ìýbooks11ÌýfollowersMany people who know me don't know me as Joe C, clean and sober since 1976. It's not that I am embarrassed by either addiction or recovery but it doesn't define me any more than being left-handed. Suffering through addiction and recovery has made me more compassionate and more reflective. Addiction was bewildering and recovery is a curious world, sometimes harsh, sometimes awesome.
Most people know don't know I'm an alcoholic/addict or in recovery. I am a dad, a songwriter, radio host, a financial planner, a runner, a ball player, billiard player, amateur social-psychology junky.
I'm a writer, too. Why did I write a book about addiction and recovery? Well, I wrote the only book I looked for and couldn't find. Otherwise I wouldn't have written it, I would have recommended it here to all of you.
It isn't the "As Joe Sees It" that we all laughed about when I comically took myself too seriously and thought people would be happy if they could just save time and see it my way. What the book is a report on what I have learned. I have done my 10,000 hours + of meetings, seminars, writing, sharing, conferences, reading and service. I don't suggest that this makes me an expert but I asked myself, "What are the 500 best ideas I have learned about addiction and recovery?" Those became 500 short essays, which got distilled down to the 365 most cohesive. That's what Beyond Belief is--plagiarism, with my own unique ADHD, dyslexic way of misunderstanding it.
It's not what I know; it's what I have learned. I am not saying, "this is how to ..." I am saying, "thank you. I am grateful for everything you've so generously shared with me."
Most people know don't know I'm an alcoholic/addict or in recovery. I am a dad, a songwriter, radio host, a financial planner, a runner, a ball player, billiard player, amateur social-psychology junky.
I'm a writer, too. Why did I write a book about addiction and recovery? Well, I wrote the only book I looked for and couldn't find. Otherwise I wouldn't have written it, I would have recommended it here to all of you.
It isn't the "As Joe Sees It" that we all laughed about when I comically took myself too seriously and thought people would be happy if they could just save time and see it my way. What the book is a report on what I have learned. I have done my 10,000 hours + of meetings, seminars, writing, sharing, conferences, reading and service. I don't suggest that this makes me an expert but I asked myself, "What are the 500 best ideas I have learned about addiction and recovery?" Those became 500 short essays, which got distilled down to the 365 most cohesive. That's what Beyond Belief is--plagiarism, with my own unique ADHD, dyslexic way of misunderstanding it.
It's not what I know; it's what I have learned. I am not saying, "this is how to ..." I am saying, "thank you. I am grateful for everything you've so generously shared with me."
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 19, 2015
A much needed resource for those wrestling with anything, not just addictions. Joe C. inspires, engages, uplifts, and challenges readers through a year of reflections and insight into addiction and human nature.
October 28, 2020
The rest of us...
September 20, 2020
I loved waking up every morning to some very relevant food for thought. Insightful. Thought-provoking.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
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