“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”
— Helen Keller
You Are the Revolution
Most recovery approaches were developed in the 20th century during a time when cultural and societal norms were vastly different from today. For example, Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in the 1930s and Narcotics Anonymous was founded in the 1950s. While these programs have helped millions, they often struggle to resonate with modern individuals navigating a rapidly changing world. Integral Recovery, Integrated Recovery, Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention, Refuge Recovery, SMART Recovery, Unique Self Recovery, and psychedelic-assisted therapy, each of which emerged more recently, have made strides in addressing contemporary needs, but the field remains ripe for innovation. Nondual Recovery seeks to fill this gap by offering a groundbreaking approach tailored to the realities of today’s diverse populations.
Our approach is particularly effective for those disillusioned by traditional recovery methods. Our members have been compared to the “nones,” those individuals who have rejected identification with organized religion in favor of fluid, flexible, and inclusive spiritualities. These are people searching for something beyond rigid frameworks, seeking authenticity and connection without the weight of outdated paradigms. NR offers a fresh start, emphasizing Oneness and Wholeness. As members of NR, they have found a way to align with the complexities of modern life while critiquing modernity’s ideology of excessive individualism, overconsumption, and avoidance of psychological and spiritual depth.
This revolution is not just theoretical; it is deeply practical. Each person who embraces NR becomes a catalyst for change, transforming their life and inspiring others to do the same. Together, we are pioneering a new way forward, one that reflects the interconnectedness of all beings. Together, we can try to heal the myriad ways that our cultures and societies also suffer from problematic addictions and avoidances.
“Heal your addiction, be the medicine the world needs.”
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Recovery Is Serious Business
Taking a metaphor from the business world, at this time Nondual Recovery can be likened to a startup—innovative, flexible, and unafraid to break with tradition. However, unlike traditional businesses, NR is not hierarchically structured. Inspired by management theories like Holacracy, Sociocracy, and Teal Organizations, it emerges organically, allowing every member to contribute their unique gifts while remaining aligned with the principles of Oneness.
In practice, this means that NRGs (Nondual Recovery Groups) function as self-organizing systems. Leadership is fluid and distributed, with decisions made collaboratively rather than dictated from the top down. No single individual holds absolute authority; instead, decision-making flows through consensus, dynamic roles, and collective responsibility. This ensures that each voice is valued, and no one individual or ideology dominates the group. Roles within an NRG are not fixed but evolve as needed, allowing members to step into and out of responsibilities based on their skills, interests, and availability. Decision-making meetings focus on alignment rather than control, ensuring that discussions remain constructive, inclusive, and responsive to the group’s unique needs.
NRGs are also free to differentiate themselves from other NRG groups, offering specialized approaches such as focusing on specific nondual philosophers, meditative techniques, or addressing a particular addiction or avoidance pattern. Some groups may operate more formally, while others may feel more like fluid circles of shared exploration. This flexibility is particularly valuable in supporting individuals with stigmatized addictions, such as the misuse of illicit substances, ensuring safe, nonjudgmental spaces for healing.
As NR grows, its development will be organic, adaptive, and evolutionary—mirroring the intelligence of natural ecosystems. Rather than rigid expansion, new groups will emerge where they are most needed, and each will refine its structure based on local conditions and the wisdom of its members. This approach requires trust in the process, ensuring that NR remains dynamic, resilient, and deeply responsive to the evolving needs of its community. By embracing this model, we cultivate a living, self-sustaining network of recovery that is both structured and fluid—grounded in wisdom yet free to adapt.
“Innovate recovery, honor Oneness.”
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Building Nondual Recovery Groups (NRGs)
The primary purpose of a Nondual Recovery Group (NRG) is to support the healing and transformation of its individual members. Unlike 12-step groups, which emphasize evangelizing their message to other addicts as their core mission, NRGs prioritize the full restoration of each member to health, wholeness, and self-realization. The goal is not just abstinence but awakening to one’s true nature, overcoming addiction and avoidance in a way that allows members to reclaim their lives and step into meaningful service. Rather than merely reinforcing recovery identity, NRGs help individuals reintegrate into the world, offering their unique gifts in ways that uplift their communities and beyond.
As more members heal from addiction and avoidance, they may band together in myriad ways, forming networks of mutual support, creative collaboration, and social impact initiatives. Some may feel called to political activism, advocating for policy changes that address systemic issues fueling addiction, such as underfunded rehabilitation services, discriminatory drug laws, or exploitative corporate practices. Others may launch businesses, nonprofits, or artistic projects that reflect the principles of wholeness, compassion, and interconnectedness. This stands in contrast to 12-step programs, which require strict political neutrality—NR, by contrast, acknowledges that recovery does not exist in a vacuum, and that addressing societal structures is often a natural extension of personal healing.
To build effective nondual recovery groups, members should use the tools and templates provided in this book and on www.nodualrecovery.com while remaining open to experimentation and evolution. Mistakes are not failures but opportunities for deeper insight and refinement. NRGs are not fixed institutions but living systems, adapting to the needs of their members and the world they seek to transform.
“Build together, thrive together, innovate together.”
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PIERs Are Also PEERS
Nonduality teaches us that nature operates as a holistic holarchy, a system of nested relationships where each part contributes to the whole. PIERs (Persons Engaged in Evolving Recovery) are also PEERS (Peers Embracing Equality in Recovery Support). NRGs reflect this principle by fostering equality among members, ensuring that everyone is treated with dignity and respect. This egalitarian approach empowers individuals while maintaining the interconnectedness that is central to Nondual Recovery.
Mentorship is a vital component of this structure, made even more powerful when it crosses lines of age, race, gender, socioeconomic status, and developmental diversity. By learning from each other’s unique perspectives in peer mentoring relationships, members enrich their understanding of nonduality and strengthen the bonds within the group. This mutual support creates a dynamic environment where growth and healing flourish.
Leaders in Nondual Recovery are servant leaders, whose primary goal is to serve the needs of the group rather than exert authority. Servant leaders facilitate growth, listen attentively, and model the principles of nonduality in their interactions. Their role is one of guidance and support, ensuring that the group remains aligned with its purpose. Leaders are empowered to make rapid decisions based on their own talents and expertise in some situations; they are encouraged to seek democratic votes of members in other situations; they are hoped and expected to have the wisdom to know which situation is which. If leaders act with a spirit of domination or exploitation rather than collegiality, there are procedures to correct the situation.
“Equal in dignity, united in growth.”
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Sharing the Fruits of Recovery
As As the twelfth step of 12-step programs tells us, recovery is strengthened when individuals who have succeeded share their experiences and insights with others who are still suffering. Nondual Recovery builds on this wisdom, encouraging members to offer the fruits of their recovery to those still grappling with addiction and avoidance. This sharing becomes even more impactful when framed within the nondual perspective, helping others transcend the dualisms that perpetuate suffering. However, it is important to remember that Nondual Recovery is not the only path to healing.
When engaging with those in dualistic recovery programs, such as 12-step fellowships or Moderation Management, NR members should avoid harshly criticizing their approach. Many individuals find deep healing and transformation in those frameworks, and dismissing or attacking them risks alienating potential allies. Instead of presenting NR as a superior alternative, it is more constructive to frame it as a complementary approach—one that may resonate deeply with some but not with others. Healing is not one-size-fits-all, and respecting different paths fosters goodwill rather than division.
When PIERs share their stories, they bridge the gap between isolation and connection, offering hope and a tangible example of what is possible. Their stories reveal how they suffered from addiction and avoidance, how they found healing through realizing Oneness, and the practical steps and meditative practices that supported their success. By demonstrating, rather than debating, the benefits of Nondual Recovery, members invite curiosity rather than resistance—encouraging dialogue rather than confrontation.
Through this mutual exchange, NR creates a ripple effect, spreading healing and awareness beyond individual groups. By sharing nondual wisdom with humility and openness, PIERs can help others break free from addictive cycles while also honoring the diversity of recovery paths. This approach contributes to a more compassionate, interconnected world—one in which all seekers of healing are welcomed and respected.
“Share your light, enlighten the world.”
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Friendships and Other Relationships in NR
Friendships are the lifeblood of Nondual Recovery, providing the connection and support essential for recovery. Building these relationships requires effort and intentionality, but the rewards are profound. Practical tips include showing up consistently, engaging in open conversations, and offering acts of kindness without expectation. Strong friendships create a sense of belonging and mutual care within the group.
Relationships among NR members must be approached with maturity and integrity. While sexual relationships are not prohibited across the board, NRGs should not be used as cruising grounds, particularly given the vulnerabilities of those struggling with codependency, love addiction, sex addiction, or chemsex addiction. Solicitations for business relationships or professional services also carry the potential for exploitation. To address these concerns, individual NRGs are encouraged to create written ethics policies outlining their expectations for member interactions.
Nonduality invites us to see ourselves in others, even when conflict arises. Dislike for someone in the group can be an opportunity for shadow work, revealing disowned parts of ourselves. By approaching relationships with compassion, we deepen our understanding of Oneness and strengthen the community. Idolization or holding extremely high esteem for other persons in the group also invites trouble, especially when some members exude an air of impeccable spiritual attainment or intellectual brilliance. Putting someone on a pedestal creates an obstacle for seeing them as whole, complex human beings. Like all persons, these idolized persons are flawed human beings who will inevitably disappoint us. It is better to see them as peers not perfect.
“No one here is a savior, and no one here is beyond saving.”
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The Essence of Nondual Recovery
At the heart of NR lies the understanding that separation is the root cause of addiction. Dualistic thinking creates a sense of isolation and fragmentation, driving individuals toward behaviors that temporarily numb this pain. NR addresses this by guiding individuals to transcend dualities and reconnect with the Oneness that underlies all existence. But this reconnection is not just an abstract realization—it is a deeply embodied process that lifts PIERs from isolation to interconnection, from estrangement to belonging.
Our tenet of unicus et universalis affirms the uniqueness—but not separateness—of every person. This principle acknowledges that each individual is an irreplaceable expression of the universal whole, and their recovery journey is both singular and interconnected. Through practices that integrate mind, body, and spirit, NR offers a path to healing that honors both the unique and the universal. Just as we reconnect with others, we also reconnect with the hidden parts of ourselves, bringing the unconscious into consciousness. Addiction and avoidance thrive in the shadows of repression, but by illuminating our fears, desires, and wounds with compassionate awareness, we become more whole, more authentic, and more deeply human.
The stakes of this revolutionary paradigm are immense. The world is being denied the gifts of countless individuals trapped in patterns of addiction and avoidance. Every person liberated through NR not only heals themselves but also contributes to the healing of the world. When individuals align with their unique expression of Oneness, they bring their creativity, compassion, and wisdom into every aspect of life—from families and communities to workplaces and beyond. The emergence of NR is not just about personal transformation—it is about building a new paradigm for a more enlightened and connected planet.
“Heed your better angels, heal a world gone (at least) slightly mad.”
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