Adam Levine (2017)
Adam Noah Levine is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actor, and record producer. He is the lead vocalist for the pop rock band Maroon 5.
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About the Adam Levine Interview
I started getting high at 7 years old, listening to punk at 9 years old, and I ended up in a group home by 15. There I started mindfulness practice at the suggestion of my father, Stephen Levine. I write about being an addict and using Buddhism (8 Fold Path and the 4 Noble Truths) to survive and conquer addiction. Refuge Recovery, the Buddhist-oriented, nontheistic recovery program now has 250 meetings worldwide.
Let's talk punk rock, the dharma, craving and sobriety.
Proof of identity: http://imgur.com/x0maWAm
Hey Everyone - thank you so much for coming out and participating. I hope that some of what we discussed is helpful. If I didn't get to your question, I apologize and we can always connect online/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/refugerecoverycenters
With metta.
Adam Levine Jul 12, 2017
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Hi Noah, was great meeting you in Chicago. How do you suggest new Refuge Recovery meetings handle a strong personality when it comes to the direction of Refuge in a particular city? How do you suggest we maintain right speak/right action when confronting those whom have placed themselves as defecto leaders of the program in you city?
Spyrios
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Thanks for writing I hear the dilemma - it is one of the reasons that RR leadership is set up as a rotating process of 6 months commitment as a secretary - when a strong personality is in that position the group may just need to wait out the time period and elect a new secretary.
Adam Levine
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Hey, Noah! What was it like growing up in a Buddhist household? I raise my kids with Buddhist philosophy and sometimes the awareness around how in conflict it is with the upbringing their peers are receiving is overwhelmingly obvious. No doubt your parents are rad, but as a kid did you see them as being very wise, or nuts?
Zyla_Wilde
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Growing up I was aware that my parents were weird spiritual Buddhist hippies and that many of my parent's friends were not. I can remember resenting it on some levels but it was also ...all I knew...and my parents were mostly cool and probably cooler than most of my friend's parents. Certainly, it was having grown up in that environment that allowed me to start practicing the dharma at such a young age. My feeling is that it is ok for our children to have a different view than their peers in terms of understanding karma, personal responsibility and the importance of mindfulness compassion and forgiveness even if it sets them apart from their judeo-Christian or nihilistic peers. I would rather have my children live in reality than a delusion. Thanks for your q
Adam Levine
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Hi Noah,
Thanks for doing this. I'm a former RR client, so I created a new account just now for anonymity. Honestly, I'd never ask you this in person. I still struggle with addiction and am working to find my path to recovery. Buddhism and Refuge have helped a lot.
My question is: What are your thoughts on Buddhism being "non-theistic" when the "Buddha" is so iconoclastic? There are statues everywhere, it's a very symbolic, ritualistic visual identity.
Thanks for everything you've done for both the punk rock and the recovery world!
anonymousebuddhist
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The intention behind the iconic art and statuary of Buddhism is that we see it as a reminder of our own internal wisdom and compassion inside ourselves.
Adam Levine
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The first foundation of mindfulness is all about bringing awareness into the body. Esp. paying attention to the sensation the breath creates in the body and of course the attention is drawn back into the mind and the memories of trauma...and we gently return the attention to the breath over and over. I also encourage people to utilize trauma healing techniques such as somatic experiencing or EMDR in conjunction with mindfulness practice for trauma resolution. Thanks for your q.
Adam Levine
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I apologize if this is off-topic, but I have been binging on holy texts of various religions (Book of Moron, Bible, Quran, etc), and have been having difficulty with determining what is seen as the scriptures to read for Buddhism.
What would you recommend a non-Buddhist to read to better understand the faith?
rmumford
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Hi rmumford
The Pali Cannon is the oldest Buddhist document equivalent to something like the Bible. If you want to go straight to the root source. But my sense is that reading some of the translated commented upon teachings of the Buddha better serves us. I would recommend a book called Buddhism: A Concise Introduction by Phillip Novak and Houston Smith. As well as Path With Heart by Jack Kornfield of my books Against the Stream gives the best overview.Thanks for the q
Adam Levine
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Hey Noah, I love many things about Refuge Recovery, but I struggle with the same rule that I struggled with in AA meetings when that was all I had access to - abstinence from a specific list of substances.
Alcohol has never been my problem. While I have remained abstinent from my drug of choice for over 11 years now, the times I have imbibed alcohol have never led to heedlessness. Besides my DOC I also have struggles with abuse of other things like food, sleep, or emotional states. I would much prefer to work on the craving/aversion issues related to these rather than alcohol which plays a role in my life similar to, I don't know, buying the fancier cheeze once every month or two.
I do not understand why abstinence from alcohol must be part of my path, and I hate to abide by rules which I do not understand. Can you help me understand why I should be abstinent from a substance that I've never had a problem with?
potted_petunias
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From a Buddhist perspective, mindfulness becomes a necessity for ending the causes of suffering in our life. in order to be mindful, the mind cannot be intoxicated, even mildly intoxicated and still be fully mindful. This is why the Buddha encouraged total abstinence from all drug and alcohol use.
Adam Levine
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From VRNverity:
Hi Noah, thank you for doing this AMA. You have been a practicing buhddist for a while now, do nostalgic memories ever come you of when you were a part of the punk movement? The good memories?
I think you mentioned in your book or interview that most of your peers from that time overdosed or passed away. Are there any friends or acquaintances that you have kept in touch with over the years or who have reached out to you? And does the younger generation of punks, if there are any - receive you now?Adam Levine
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From: starowiczski
Hi Noah, Can you speak about processing bodily sensations related to addiction [and/or trauma] on and off the cushion. What recommendations do you have for folks with recurring bodily sensations- regarding how to get in touch with the breath and teachings in these moments? Much thanks and lots of love for all your work.
Adam Levine
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From: Howmanybutts
Hi Noah, Thank you for doing this! Dharma Punx was one of the first tastes of Buddhism I had gotten years ago. Just recently I was Ordained as a Buddhist minister, so my question is : What are the most important things to know as someone who teaches and shares the Dharma?
Adam Levine
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From: oneplusfivemaybe
Hey, Noah, thank you for taking the time to do this.
Is the refuge recovery program and meetings open to all people struggling from addiction? Including pornography addiction.
I know I read process addictions were a part of the program but I haven't totally understood in to what extent they're welcome.
Also.
Where do I buy the refuge recovery book for amazon kindle? I see a digital version on harpercollins but there's no information on if it will work with a kindle paperwhite.
Adam Levine
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Thanks for the question VRNverity. Yes I have a lot of good memories from the salad days....and yes, many of the next generations of punks reach out and come meditate with me.
Adam Levine
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Self-care is probably the most important aspect of becoming a teacher- making sure to maintain one's own meditation practice and ethical renunciation. As well as being aware of the projections and transference that the students will inevitably have on the teacher. The Buddha referred to this as Praise and Blame and knowing that both of these are a part of taking the role of minister or teacher.
Adam Levine
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Yes, Refuge Recovery is utilized by many people to recover from primary process addictions such as sex addiction. Although most meetings are mixed with people for whom addiction is manifesting in all ways - substances, sex, food, money - there are some specific affinity meetings that are beginning such as Refuge for food addiction or sex addiction.
The Refuge Recovery book is available for Kindle on Amazon.
Thanks for your qs.
Adam Levine
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Hello Noah, • What has been your greatest perceived struggle in your personal quest for liberation from greed, hatred & delusion? • What advice would you offer those who seek to be of service to their community who have no formal therapeutic training or dharma teaching?
misfit_inc
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Hey Misfit_inc -
In the early days my biggest struggle was with resentment, anger, fear and the afflictive emotions but, after so many years of forgiveness and compassion meditation, I have learned to care about my pain and the pain of others. These days, my biggest struggle is probably about balance and self-care while trying to help others - remembering to take time for myself.There are so many ways to get involved in helping - whether it is feeding the homeless - educating people around the issues of the environment, working for positive change around social justice issues. You don't have to be a meditation to help to alleviate suffering on this planet.
Adam Levine
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Hi Noah, Can't even begin to tell you how much your books/teachings/etc. have helped and inspired me so thank you for that!! Any new books on the horizon?
BradleyKarl123
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Hi BradleyKarl123 - thank you.... I am currently enjoying not writing - but my intention is to at some point write a workbook for Refuge Recovery and a commentary on the Eight Guiding Principles of Refuge Recovery. I would also like to write another memoir...
Adam Levine
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Hi Noah,
I have a sister who's an addict (heroin) and has no plans to go into recovery. She's on the streets right now. She thinks rehab is a joke, largely, she says, because they shove Christianity down her throat. She's convinced she can get clean on her own -- though she's been using since she was 14 and she's now 30. Do you have any advice for her? Thank you!igrokthings
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Well, letting her know that a place like ours RRC does not use a Christian or theistic model could be useful and there is not a lot that can be done is someone is not ready and willing to receive the help that is offered. Sometimes interventions do prove successful if that has not been attempted yet,
Adam Levine
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Noah, I have wanted to ask forever - what is that brings you and Refuge to Wanderlust festivals? What's it like for you, particularly as a guy that seems more at home crowdsurfing punk shows?
fiercely_calm
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I started doing the Wanderlust festivals as an opportunity to share the dharma with people who are interested in yoga and meditation that probably haven't received clear instruction on mindfulness. I have really enjoyed the large crowds and the physical aspects of the run and the yoga at the festival.
Adam Levine
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