Powerless but NOT Helpless:

A meditation book of 81 verses from the Tao Te Ching that can help to live an alcohol free life and find freedom from any addictive behavior.
Written by Buddy C.

The Chinese spiritual classic known as the Tao Te Ching, or classic of the way and virtue, was formulated over 2500 years ago by the legendary Taoist sage, Lao Tzu. It has become the second most widely translated book in the world after the Holy Bible. In addition, it has stimulated innumerable applications and interpretations as divergent as the Tao of Physics to the Tao of Pooh!

However, one of the more innovative, practical and inspiring versions is this application to the recovery process by Buddy C., himself a recovery success. Entitled Powerless but NOT Helpless, this captivating book teaches how to apply the spiritual lessons of the ancients to the daily recovery challenges inherent with persons struggling with an addiction. Over and over, the ancient wisdom is applied to the tasks of self-love, learning to let go and surrender, and allowing natural wisdom to replace the inadequate lure of addictions with the path of wholeness that leads towards and is sustained by sobriety and recovery.

This unique volume of practical wisdom and spiritual truths has the power to help save many lives. It deserves to be widely read and applied as a balm to our modern dilemma of addiction. It would be a thoughtful and supportive gift for anyone you know who is in the recovery process.

Books that inspire us to become our better selves are worth much. As such, Powerless but NOT Helpless is priceless!

By Dr. Carl Totton, PsyD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Director of the Taoist Institute, Los Angeles, California
Co-host of the Audio podcast: What’s This Tao All About?

www.whatsthistao.com
www.drcarltotton.com
www.taoistinstitute.com

---

It has been said that books don’t change people, but trying to put into practice this one has changed me and my attitudes toward spirituality.  The simplicity of the message has challenged my complicated understanding of my higher power….for the better.

Mark S. The RecoverdCast Podcast

---

An ancient text, translated into current day, easy to comprehend ideas. This is a true gift to modern day seekers of higher truth.

Arlina Allen Host of The One Day At A Time Podcast

---

After 30 plus years of recovery/sobriety, I feel I am still dipping my toes into the Fourth Dimension. Buddy C’s interpretation of the Tao Te Ching has enabled me to open up another part of my spiritual heart that I did not even know existed. Who would have known a deep south southerner like Buddy could make the Tao Te Ching so interesting and compelling?

I am reluctant to use words like “inspiring” because words like that can seem overdone but… you can mark this book down as Inspirational. I would recommend this book to anyone seeking a deeper and more meaningful walk with the God of their understanding.

John M. Host of The Sober Speak Podcast

---

If you’re seeking that “inner voice” and a clear path to know it better, let yourself contemplate, meditate, and celebrate it with “Powerless but NOT Helpless.”

— SoberPod.com Recovery Podcast

---

Powerless but NOT Helpless is an incredibly useful and instructive distillation of the underlying principle in each verse of the Tao Te Ching for those contemplating, or already living a sober lifestyle. Buddy proceeds to artfully combine this with a useful and direct correlation of each of these principles to universal tenets of 12-Step Recovery, further crystallizing the clear connection between them. The result is an indispensable resource for integrating Taoism into your regular recovery and spiritual practices.

Charlie LeVoir, Host & Producer – The Way Out Podcast

---

This book is what happens if you put Lao Tzu, Bill W. and Buddy C in a blender. Buddy has filtered each verse of the Tao Te Ching through a recovery lens. The result has great depth despite the brevity. I added spot illustrations that, I hope, slow the reader down, giving a place to pause and reflect.

Don M, The Boiled Owl Recovery Podcast

---

Buddy’s verses combine the timeless wisdom of Taoism and modern approaches to sobriety, guiding us to a fresh, yet familiar, connection with a Higher Power. Essential for anyone seeking a source of hope, joy, and peace of mind in their recovery program.

Gigi Langer, PhD, author of 50 Ways to Worry Less Now

---

Buddy C.’s reinterpretation of the Tao Te Ching is a powerful meditation on the idea of surrender. His writing points to the mysterious, ineffable paradoxical power that makes both The Big Book and the Tao Te Ching effective road maps for finding, and staying on, “The Way.” It’s written with love and is a great guide for those looking to understand their Higher Power.

— Tod Perry host of What’s This Tao All About? Podcast

---

Buddy C. has a way of giving practical instruction alongside of describing the great paradoxes of recovery that is wonderful. Each passage should be carefully considered. I believe that study and meditation of these verses will help the truths contained in this book embed themselves in your heart. Although inspired mainly by the Tao Te Ching, I believe these interpretations stand on their own merit as highly useful and profound teachings.

Jason Rudeen – cohost for The Way Out Podcast

---

Buddy’s interpretation of the Tao Te Ching helped me to bridge the gap between what I was taught about a Higher Power and how a Higher Power really works in my life. A must read!

Shane Ramer That Sober Guy Podcast