Product Description
The key to ongoing freedom from alcoholism or any other kind of addiction is right before us, here and now, in the ordinary and perfect present moment. The problem is that addictions are often the result of our efforts to escape living in the present in the first place. Bill Alexander's unique approach uses mindfulness, story, and meditation to help alcoholics and others learn to come back to the moment and to find healing there.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.0 based on 9 reviews)

Loved it

I was immediately pulled into this book. Not only does the author share helpful strategies and philosophies pertinent and inspiring for someone struggling with recovery, but he also shares his humanness- his story and struggles- even today. I laughed out loud numerous times while reading this book. I highly recommend this book.
August 14, 2008

Key that changed my life

I originally heard about this book while listening to the radio in my car. It was recommended by Chicago radio personality Steve Dahl who was discussing his own recovery from alcohol. I have read this book 3 times, and each time it has been more helpful than the last. Yes, there is a Zen slant, but that should not keep anyone from reading this book and finding it helpful. If you really want to stop drinking you will embrace help from wherever it comes. Read this book with an open mind and you will be pleasantly surprised where it takes you. I have not had a drink of alcohol for 7 years, and owe much of the success for changing my life to this book.
November 25, 2007

Great book.

I really enjoyed this book a great deal. Don't buy it expecting a detailed treatise on either AA or Buddhism, but an wonderful positive journey that shows how the two approaches each have great value. It is a very honest, brave, and heart-felt book. My experience is that many books in this genre are either too flowery, dogmatic, or impersonal to be meaningful, but not this one, IMHO.
July 27, 2003

This book may not be too helpful.

The semantics woven throughout Alexander's book will not be helpful for an individual who is lost and suffering, or newly sober and looking for insight. Instead, this is a book of arguments aimed at the community of people who have been in AA for a long time or are well established in the "recovery" community. Not seeing value of anonymity, Alexander sets up straw men and then shoots them down, misrepresenting (or perhaps not understanding) other traditions and steps of twelve-step recovery. Many who turn to this book looking for a way out will be mystified while finding no solace. For those, Alexander's piece may do more harm than good.

"The real definition of my alcoholism is that when I drink my life goes down the toilet. How about you?" This is the definition offered by Alexander, an explanation that scratches the surface. Equally disappointing is Alexander's lack of depth in the understanding of monotheism. Divinity is rejected as "capricious." Picking his way around steps, Alexander displays little or no insight into the program he would rewrite.

If you are interested in brief discussion of Alexander's version of twelve-step programs contrasted with Alexander's version of Buddhism this is the book for you. If you want to go to an unbiased source about modern Buddhism, read the beautiful writings of Thich Nhat Hahn instead. If you are desperate and looking for a way out of a deadly trap, skip Alexander's book for a couple of years and look elsewhere. This one's more about Alexander than you might find helpful.
September 08, 2002

Cool Water: Alcoholism, Mindfulness, and Ordinary Recovery

A very special book, indeed. I found this book to be one of the best I've ever read on recovery. The author is an eloquent and honest writer, who creates a powerful and poetic guide for simple everyday recovery & living.
August 31, 2002

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The Zen of Recovery
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