For episode 244 Valerie Mason-John makes their first appearance on the Metta Hour to speak about their new book, “First Aid Kit for the Mind: Breaking the Cycle of Habitual Behaviors”. Valerie is a founding facilitator of Compassionate Inquiry and the author of eleven books, including the award-winning book, “Eight Step Recovery.” They are a co-founder of the training program, Mindfulness Based Addiction Recovery, and work as a public speaker in the field of Mindfulness for Addiction and Trauma. In this conversation, Valerie and Sharon discuss: How lovingkindness saved Valerie’s life How Valerie became the “Bully Doctor” Valerie’s journey in recovery The importance of community in recovery Recovery Cafe Gabor Mate’s Compassionate Inquiry Thoughts are not facts First-Aid Kit for the Mind The breath is medicine What is still true? What can we rely on? Dharma: that which we can rely on Thich Naht Hanh’s influence on Valerie How to maintain mindfulness The role of Storytelling in Valerie’s work How story compounds addiction Playwriting and poetry as social justice Valerie closes the conversation with a guided meditation LOVE from their new book, First Aid Kit for the Mind. Learn more about Valarie’s work on their website right here. ================ Sharon Salzberg & Valerie Mason-John – Metta Hour Podcast Ep. 244 - https://youtu.be/Mw6A3-Z5GqE Sharon Salzberg – Metta Hour – Ep. 244 – Valerie Mason-John - https://beherenownetwork.com/sharon-salzberg-metta-hour-ep-244-valerie-mason-john ================ Make sure not to miss a single video podcast from Be Here Now Network! Click here to Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc1lvEoC5PZWm-MzgUfJQfg Follow Be Here Now Network: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeHereNowNetwork Twitter: https://twitter.com/beherenownet Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beherenownetwork ================ Be Here Now Network Podcasts, Courses, and Articles to help you live a Life in Balance. Heart-Centered wisdom from Ram Dass, Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, Krishna Das + many more! Get a Free Guided Meditation from Sharon Salzberg when you first sign up at: https://beherenownetwork.com/