Seeking professional help: There are many addictive drugs, and treatments for specific drugs can differ. Problems and severity of the drug addiction can vary quite a lot. People who are addicted come from all walks of life. Many suffer from mental health problems, or occupational, health, and social problems that make their addictive disorders much more difficult to treat.

Programs provide a combination of therapies and other services to meet the needs of the individual, depending on issues of age, race, culture, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, parenting, housing, employment, and any physical or sexual abuse.

Centers often encourage clients to attend 12-step meetings. Information is available on this site about 12-step organizations and meetings. According to the AA "Grapevine" magazine several years ago: 50% of the people who go to AA stay sober from day one; out of the remaining 50%, half of them had relapses and then came back and stayed sober, and the other half of them never made it. So, 75% of people stay sober if they go to AA.

Below is a list of some area facilities. They are the professionals—ask them what you need to know about insurance, services, waiting lists, referrals, etc.


A Quick Guide to Finding Effective Treatment

From: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
If you or someone you care for is dependent on alcohol or drugs and needs treatment, it is important to know that no single treatment approach is appropriate for all individuals. Finding the right treatment program involves careful consideration of such things as the setting, length of care, philosophical approach and your or your loved one's needs.

Here are 12 questions to consider when selecting a treatment program:

  1. Does the program accept your insurance? If not, will they work with you on a payment plan or find other means of support for you?
  2. Is the program run by state-accredited, licensed and/or trained professionals?
  3. Is the facility clean, organized and well-run?
  4. Does the program encompass the full range of needs of the individual (medical: including infectious diseases; psychological: including co-occurring mental illness; social; vocational; legal; etc.)?
  5. Does the treatment program also address sexual orientation and physical disabilities as well as provide age, gender and culturally appropriate treatment services?
  6. Is long-term aftercare support and/or guidance encouraged, provided and maintained?
  7. Is there ongoing assessment of an individual's treatment plan to ensure it meets changing needs?
  8. Does the program employ strategies to engage and keep individuals in longer-term treatment, increasing the likelihood of success?
  9. Does the program offer counseling (individual or group) and other behavioral therapies to enhance the individual's ability to function in the family/community?
  10. Does the program offer medication as part of the treatment regimen, if appropriate?
  11. Is there ongoing monitoring of possible relapse to help guide patients back to abstinence?
  12. Are services or referrals offered to family members to ensure they understand addiction and the recovery process to help them support the recovering individual?



Treatment & Rehab. Facilities — Portland Area
ACADIA NW provides uniquely integrative services for people suffering from alcohol and drug dependency. "ACADIA NW is certified within the state of Oregon to provide intensive outpatient services and DUII information and rehabilitation services. "
MAIN OFFICE is located at: 10101 Barbur Blvd, Suite 101, Ptld., Oregon 97219
503-245-6262
GRESHAM OFFICE is located at: 18210 E Burnside, Suite F, Ptld., OR 97233
503-661-6002
PORTLAND OFFICE is located at: 8371 N. Interstate Avenue, Ptld., Oregon 97217
503-285-3200

Allied Health Services —Intake: 503-239-5738x26
808 SW Alder — 503-226-2203
11945 SW Pacific Highway Suite 113, Portland, OR 97223 — 503-684-8159 — methadone clients only
2600 SE Belmont Street, Portland, OR 97214 -- 503-226-2203 -- methadone clients only
16141 East Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97233 -- 503-252-3949 -- methadone clients only

ASAP Treatment Services Inc — 2130 SW 5th Ave # 100, Portland, OR 97201
503-224-0075

Beyond Addictions — 8285 SW Nimbus Avenue, Suite 148, Beaverton, OR 97008 — 503-644-8700. — An outpatient recovery clinic that offers an In-home or In-hotel Detoxification Program that provides around-the-clock care during the detoxification process.
CareMark Behavioral Health Services NW Center — CareMark Access: 503-413-4848
with the Legacy Health System
Outpatient Chemical Dependency
6475 SW Borland Road Suite F, Tualatin OR 97062 — 503-692-2621
Substance Abuse Services
6110 SE Belmont Street, Portland OR 97215 — 503-232-3627
Adventist Medical Center
10123 Southeast Market Street, Portland OR 97216 — 503-413-4848
Outpatient Chemical Dependency
6475 SW Borland Road Suite F, Tualatin OR 97062 — Intake: 503-413-4848
Teen Drug Rehab —
6110 SE Belmont Street, Portland OR 97062

Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare -- Website
Information & Referral (CAIR) between 9 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Friday: 503-674-7777. Currently services are provided at these locations:
Cascadia Downtown— 412 SW 12th (between Stark and Washington), Portland, 97205
Cascadia Woodland Park— 10373 NE Hancock St., Suite 200 (Just east of 102nd), Portland 97220
Cascadia Gresham— 400 NE 7th (at Kelly), Gresham, 97030
Cascadia Garlington Center— 3034 NE Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Portland, 97212
Cascadia Plaza— 2415 SE 43rd (SE 43rd and Division) Portland, OR 97206



ChangePoint -- Effective Treatment Responsive Service
Intake: 503-253-5954 — 1949 SE 122nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97233
503-666-0542 — 1217 NE Burnside Rd, Gresham, OR 97030
City Team Ministries — Faith-based recovery program. 503-231-9334
526 SE Grand Avenue, Portland 97214.
CODA Inc -- Intake: 503-239-8400 x217 – methadone clients only
1030 NE Couch, Portland— 503-239-8400
1027 East Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97214
1427 SE 182nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97233 (Gresham) — Men's: 503-761-6006 — Women's: 503-761-6005
10362 SW McDonald Street, Tigard — INTAKE: 503-624-0312x1
Compass NW Addiciton Management Institute
1427 SE 182nd Ave, Portland 97233 — 503-760-8984

DePaul Treatment Center Inc — Assessments & referrals, DUI, residential, and outpatient treatment services:
Adults 503-535-1151, downtown. 1300 SW Washington St
Youth 503-535-1181, NE Portland

Hazelden Springbrook
1901 Esther St., Newberg, OR 97132-9529, Phone: 503-537-7000 – Toll Free: 800-333-3712

HOOPER DETOX — 20 NE MLK Jr Blvd; 503-238-2067
[Central City Concern] 232 NW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 – 503-294-1681

Hope Clinic — 9747 SE Powell Blvd., Portland, 97266 — 503-762-9386
[P.O. Box 90787, Portland, 97290]
Interventions, Inc -- 9604 SW Kelly Ave., Portland, OR 97219 —503-245-2781

Kaiser Permanente -- Department of Addiction Medicine
3550 North Interstate Avenue, Portland OR 97227 — 503-249-3434
LifeWorks NWIntake Appts for all locations: 503-645-9010
North East/King:
3716 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Portland, OR 97212 – 503-288-8066
Albina: 4925 N. Albina Ave., Portland 97217 – 503-548-4922
Beaverton: 14255 SW Brigadoon Court, Beaverton 97005 – 503-641-1475
Gresham: 400 NE 7th St., Gresham 97030 – 503-661-5455
Hillsboro: 971 SW Walnut Street, Hillsboro 97123 – 503-640-5297
Rockwood: 17214 SE Division Street, Suite 2 - Portland 97236 – 503-761-5272
Southeast Portland: 4531 SE Belmont Street - Portland 97215 – 503-234-3400
Southwest: 506 SW 6th Avenue, 503-223-5525
Tigard: 8770 SW Scoffins Street, Tigard 97223 – 503-684-1424


Letty Owings Center — for single women who are pregnant or with children 5 yrs and younger.
[Central City Concern] 2545 NE Flanders Street, Portland, Oregon 97232 — 503-235-3546
Luke Dorf Inc Intake: 503-598-1186x7# — HOTLINE: 503-291-9111
11895 SW Greenburg Road Client Services Building, Portland, OR 97223 — 503-598-1186
Mens Resource Center IncPortland: 12 SE 14th Avenue, Portland 97214
Men's Resource Center: 503-235-3433 — Women's Counseling Center: 503-235-4050
Oregon City: 729 Molalla Ave.. Suite #8 – 503-557-0802
Beaverton: 10700 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Bldg. 1 East,  Suite 200 – 503-644-4971

Native American Rehabilitation Association of The Northwest Inc
17645 NW St Helens Highway, Portland, OR 97231 -- 503-621-1069

OHSU Behavioral Health Clinic — 621 SW Alder Street, Portland, Oregon 97205 — 503-494-4745
Pacific Hills Treatment Centers, Inc. — Call a counselor at 1-888-845-2984 – watch a video online
They offer 12-Step programs: Christian and Traditional and provide gender-specific treatment 

Portland Metro Treatment Center Methadone Treatment for Overcoming Addiction to Heroin, Oxycontin, and Opium-based Prescription Drugs — 16420 SE Division Street, Portland, OR 97236 — 503-762-313

Providence Chemical Dependency Outpatient: Website — Intake/HOTLINE: 503-215-1550
5228 NE Hoyt Street Building B, Portland, OR 97213 — 503-215-7080
9290 SE Sunnybrook Blvd., Clackamas, OR

Providence Saint Vincents Chemical Dependency Services — Intake: 503-215-1550
9450 Barnes Road SW, Portland, OR 97225 — 503-216-2057

Ram Clinic methadone clients only — 3610 NE 82nd Street Suite 100, Portland, OR 97220 – 503-408-9585

Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center — 39 SE M L K Blvd, Portland – 503-235-4192
Information
Serenity Lane -- HOTLINE: 503-244-4500
10920 Barbus Boulevard Suite B, Portland, OR 97219 -- 503-244-4500

Stay Clean Inc — Substance abuse treatment services — 1223 NE Alberta Street, Portland – 503-288-8885
Teen Challenge — Provides Faith-based recovery services – 3121 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland – 503-230-1910
Treatment Services Northwest LLC
9370 SW Greenburg Road Suite 601, Portland, OR 97223 —503-246-5238
222 NW Couch, Portland, Oregon 97209

Tualatin Valley Centers — call about services and locations: 503-645-3581

Union Gospel Mission / LifeChange Facilitya Christian addiction recovery community of men and women— 15 NW Third Ave., Portland — Contact Union Gospel Mission by phone at 503-274-4483
Victory Outreach — 3000 NE Alberta St. Portland – 503-335-3264
Christian-based alcohol and drug counseling; rehab services and aftercare.
Volunteers of America — OregonWebsite
Mens Residential Center -- 2318 NE Martin Luther King Boulevard, Portland, OR 97212 — 503-335-8611
Women's Residential Center — 503-235-0131

Youth Contact 447 SE Baseline St., Hillsboro, OR 97123-4103 -- 503-640-4222 — map link


Oregon Alcoholism Information & Treatment Centers
The state of Oregon has a long list of resources for treatment, counseling, etc. around the state.

Washington Facilities

Alcohol Detox Center — 1950 Fort Vancouver Way
Vancouver, WA 98663 — 360-696-1631map link

AnchorPoint Counseling Center — 1315 SE Grace Avenue, Battle Ground, WA 98604
360-687-3222
ChangePoint, INC — 10621 NE Coxley Drive, Suite 106, Vancouver 98662
360-604-0068 — Toll Free: 1-877-253-5945
Columbia Treatment Services — 7017 NE Highway 99, Vancouver, Washington 98665
360-694-7484

PVAMC-Substance Abuse & Treatment Program (SATP)
1603 4th Plain, Vancouver WA — 503-220-8262 ext. 33564 
Veterans who meet eligibility criteria. No outstanding court actions.
Rivercrest Treatment Center — 1801 D Street
Vancouver, Washington 98663 — 360-696-3307

Victory Outreach Special Service — 103 N Parkway Ave, Battle Ground, WA 98604 — 360-687-1991map link

WCHS, Inc. —Vancouver Methadone Clinic 866-575-8187
2009 NE 117th Street, Suite 101, Vancouver, WA 98686 — map link

Sober Housing
Sober living homes are affordable, alcohol and drug free environments that provide a positive place for peer group recovery support. Sober housing promotes individual recovery by providing an environment that allows resident to develop individual recovery programs and become self supporting. Residents are required to follow a strict set of house rules. The single most common rule is a zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol. Other zero tolerance rules may include violence, threats of violence, fighting, harassment, theft, sex on the premises, and unexcused absence, or violation of curfews.

Most sober living homes are privately owned and operated by an individual or small partnership. Less than a third are registered as a "Non Profit Organization." Below is a partial list. Some may be part of a referral process to or from a treatment facility.

Oxford Houses of Oregon — Oxford Houses of Oregon is a group of self-run, self-supported recovery houses that provide an opportunity for every recovering individual to learn a clean and sober way of life-- forever .

Transition Projects, Inc. — 475 NW Glisan Street, Portland, Oregon 97209 — 503-823-4930
The mission of Transition Projects is to serve people's basic needs as they transition from homelessness to housing.

Supportive Housing through Central City Concern — The best place to start is at Central City Concern’s Housing Office:
709 NW Everett Street — 503-525-8483 — FAX: 503-241-0676
HOUSING APPLICATIONS will be taken Monday thru Wednesday ONLY from 8:00-12:00 and 1:00-5:00
Clients and applicants will be seen by APPOINTMENT ONLY on Thursdays and Fridays
Sally McCracken -- 532 NW Everett, Portland, OR 97209. 503-241-0967
8 NW 8th, Portland, OR 97209
Mark O. Hatfield -- 204 SW Eighth Ave, Portland, OR 97205
Hotel Alder -- 415 SW Alder, Portland, OR 97204
Estate Building -- 225 NW Couch, Portland, OR 9720 -- 4th floor. 503-294-3208.
Danmoore Hotel -- 1217 SW Morrison. Portland OR 97205. 503-227-1243. *
Shoreline, 123 West Burnside. Portland OR 97209. 503-274-1812.

NW Pilot Project (Housing /Intervention Program)
1137 SW Broadway Portland, Oregon 97205 — 503-227-5605 
Emergency assistance for bus tickets, food and housing. Low cost housing assessments, referrals and placement. Relocation assistance. Information and Referral. Limited financial assistance with prescriptions, eyeglasses, ID, gasoline, etc. Eviction prevention services. Transportation service.
Eligibility: Childless households only. Low-income adults age 50+ capable of independent living. Multnomah County resident

Patton Home -- Alcohol- and drug-free housing, 503-281-1844. — 4619 N. Michigan, Portland.
They have housing for 63 low-income residents. It is fully ADA compliant.
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s Shared Housing Program
Downtown Community Housing Inc. (DCHI)
7720 SW Macadam #20, Portland, OR 97219 — 503-244-3435
Housing Contacts: Alder House (SROS): 503-222-1182 — Kearney House (families): 503-221-2160

Veterans Emergency & Transitional Shelter — Harbor Light (Salvation Army)
30 SW 2nd, Portland, Oregon 97204  — 503-239-1259 
Must be a veteran, male/female who is currently homeless with mental stability. Must be willing to participate in all case managed services.

Washington County Housing Services — 111 NE Lincoln Street, Suite 200-L, MS 63, Hillsboro, OR 97124-3072— Phone: (503) 846-4794
JOIN — Connecting the street to a home. JOIN’s Outreach Services Program strives to emphasize the strengths and support the efforts of homeless individuals to transition off the street.
Other Help Agencies
DROP-IN CENTERS
HIV Day Center — Drop-in Center for low-income people with HIV/AIDS.
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, 2941 NE Ainsworth St. — 503-460-3822

Share House, Daily Living Services — 1115 W 13th Street, Vancouver, WA — 360-695-7658 — Services for homeless adults and children.
Transition Projects, Inc., Community Service Center — 475 NW Glisan Street, Ptld.
503-823-4930 — Services for homeless adults.

The Father's Heart — This Street Ministry assists homeless and low-income families and individuals in and around Clackamas County. They provide clothing, lunches, food boxes, personal hygiene items, prayer, and occasional financial help. TFH also operates a drop-in center where people can come for a cup of coffee, prayer, or snack while they get a brief break from the outside elements. The drop-in center offers a job board to aid in the homeless/poor population gaining employment and getting off the streets.
YOUTH Programs
JANUS Youth Programs has operated community-based programs for children, youth and families in Oregon and Washington since 1972 — Office: 707 NE Couch Street, Portland, OR 97232 – 503-233-6090

Outside In — A social service agency dedicated to serving low-income adults and homeless youth.Current programs include a community health clinic, a homeless youth program designed to help homeless youth obtain independent living, and risk education.
El Programa Hispano   503-669-8350 — Services for Hispanic youth and their families.
Portland House of Umoja   503-282-3296 — 4941 NE 17TH Ave., Portland, OR 97211
Services and activities for gang-affected youth in Portland.
Self Sufficiency
The mission of Human Solutions is to help low-income families and individuals gain self-sufficiency by providing affordable housing, skill development, and family support services.
Portland: 12350 SE Powell Blvd., 97236  —503-548-0200
Gresham: 501 NE Hood Suite 110 97030 — 503-988-4531
Catholic Charities Services — "Catholic Charities annually serves over 125,000 of our Oregon neighbors without regard to faith, race, ethnicity, marital status, gender or condition in life. . . " — 503-231-4866
Independent Living Resources — "To promote the philosophy of Independent Living by creating opportunities, encouraging choices, advancing equal access, and furthering the level of independence for all people with disabilities." — Portland Office: 2410 SE 11th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97214-5308 — Phone: 503-232-7411

A Community of support — Portland Impact's mission is to help people achieve and maintain self-sufficiency and to prevent and alleviate the effects of poverty.
Children and families: 503-988-6000 — Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Court / Legal Assistance

Oregon Legal Services — Clackamas Co. – 503-655-2518

Clackamas County Family Court Services

About CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates — serving abused and neglected children
Washington Law Help — Index to find self-help information and legal aid providers.

Clark Co. Volunteer Lawyers — 360-695-5313
A variety of services to low-income individuals.

NW Justice Project — 888-201-1014
Free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals in SW Washington.

Domestic Violence Shelters and Agencies
Oregon Coalition Against Domestic And Sexual Violence
520 NW Davis, Suite 310 Portland OR 97209 — 503-223-7411

Clackamas Women's Services — P.O. Box 22547, Milwaukie OR 97269
Business #: 503-654-2807 Hotline/Crisis: 503-654-2288

Portland Women's Crisis Line — P.O. Box 42610, Portland OR 97242
Business #: 503-232-9751 Hotline/Crisis: 503-235-5333

Raphael House of Portland — P.O. Box 10797, Portland OR 97210
Business #: 503-222-6507 Hotline/Crisis: 503-222-6222

West Women's & Children's Shelter 2010 NW Kearney Portland OR 97209
Business #: 503-224-7718

YWCA Women's Resource Center — 1111 S.W. 10th, Portland OR 97205
Business #: 503-223-6281 Hotline/Crisis: 503-223-6281

Bradley-Angle House Crisis Line: 503-281-2442
P.O. Box 14694, Portland, OR 97293

Volunteers of America Family Center — 503-232-6562 Outreach: 503-771-5503

YWCA Yolanda House — 503-977-7930
YWCA SafeChoice Shelter — 360-695-0501
Columbia County Women's Resource Center — P.O. Box 22, St. Helens OR 97051
Business #: 503-397-0578 Hotline/Crisis: 503-397-6161

About domestic violence against men — read article here
"In 100 domestic violence situations approximately 40 cases involve violence by women against men. ... Virtually nothing has been done to encourage men to report abuse. ... The impact of domestic violence is less apparent and less likely to come to the attention of others when men are abused. ... There are virtually no shelters, programs or advocacy groups for men.  
Most abused men will have to rely on private counseling services. 

U.S. Veterans

Community Reintegration Services — Portland VA Medical Center — 503-220-8262
3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland OR 97239

Portland Vet Center — Phone: (503) 273-5370
8383 N.E. Sandy Blvd., Suite #110, Portland, OR 97220

Veterans Administration — 503-220-8262 ext 55289 or 1-800-949-1004
Welcome to Veterans and Families - Coming Home — Resources for Veterans and Families, A Preparedness Guide to download, support, various assistance, links, connections, etc.
Vet Sucess.Gov — Online Self Help Page

Prostitution Alternatives
Complete ARTICLEProstitution: A Victimless Crime? [Charles Montaldo]
"The oldest profession is hardly without victims ...To believe prostitution has no victims, one must ignore these statistics published in Farley's Fact Sheet:
  • 78 percent of 55 women who sought help from the Council for Prostitution Alternatives in 1991 reported being raped an average of 16 times a year by pimps, and were raped 33 times a year by johns.
  • 62 percent reported having been raped in prostitution.
  • 73 percent reported having experienced physical assault in prostitution.
  • 72 percent were currently or formerly homeless.
  • 92 percent stated that they wanted to escape prostitution immediately.
  • 83 percent of prostitutes are victims of assault with a weapon.
  • 75 percent of women in escort prostitution had attempted suicide.
  • 67 percent meet diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ..."

Council for Prostitution Alternatives / LOTUS
Services for survivors of the sex industry — 503-282-1082 — Support groups & case management
Lola Greene Baldwin Foundation for Recovery
Support services for survivors of prostitution — 503-236-7244
Individual counseling & Emergency services & Drop in center
Substance Abuse Cost to Society
Opportunities for various rehab programs are available at "low or no cost." But the thing is, the bills have to be paid somehow, and part of Government and State funding comes from everyday people (society's safety net). TANSTAAFL: "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch" -Robert A. Heinlein
From the National Institute on Drug Abuse Research:

"The parallel cost to society for alcohol abuse was estimated at $148 billion, bringing the total cost for substance abuse in 1992 to $246 billion.
This total represents a cost of $965 for every person in the United States in 1992. The per-person cost for drug abuse alone was $383. "

  1. 1. Health consequences and their impacts on the health care system.
  2. 2. Criminal behavior, either as a livelihood, participation in the drug trade, or violence related to drug abuse
  3. 3. Job losses, family impoverishment, and subsequent reliance on welfare or other elements of society's safety net.

  4. [graphic from NIDA website]

© Rose City Recovery Connections, 2006-2008
Articles / News

"Honesty is the best policy."

— Benjamin Franklin


"We lie the loudest when we lie to ourselves."

— Eric Hoffer


"Restlessness and discontent are the first necessities of progress."

— Thomas Edison


"Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character."

— Albert Einstein


"Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves."

— Carl Jung


"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these."

— George Washington


"One man cannot do right in one department of life whilst he is occupied in doing wrong in any other department. Life is one indivisible whole"

— Mahatma Gandhi


"So long as we love we serve; so long as we are loved by others, I would almost say that we are indispensable; and no man is useless while he has a friend."

— Robert Louis Stevenson


"People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within."

— Ramona L. Anderson


"All that I say is, examine, inquire. Look into the nature of things. Search out the grounds of your opinions, the for and against. Know why you believe, understand what you believe, and possess a reason for the faith that is in you."

— Frances Wright


"People who drink to drown their sorrow should be told that sorrow knows how to swim."

— Ann Landers


"If you do not find peace within yourself, you will never find it anywhere else."

— Paula A. Bendry


"Character is the result of two things: mental attitude and the way we spend our time."

— Elbert Hubbard


"To ignore evi is to become an accomplice to it."

— Rev. Martin Luther King,Jr.


"The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it."

— Chinese Proverb


"When the only tool you own is a hammer, every problem begins to resemble a nail."

— Abraham Maslow


"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes."

— Marcel Proust


"People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents."

— Andrew Carnegie


"Enlightenment is enormous grace, for which you can prepare by diligently peeling away layer after layer of disturbances, confusion and stress in mind and emotions.

The ego is incredibly cunning. The ego loves to co-opt a spiritual way of life. We hardly ever suspect it is there, and so it is safe to survive.

I ask myself if any activity, no matter how spiritual and enlightened it may seem, adds to my sense of self-importance, gives me more ego. If so, I am building more illusion, not less. I imprison myself more by coming to believe how special and spiritual I am. This is the hidden danger.
The guidance of a teacher, mentor or spiritual friend has been known to be of utmost importance. It helps you to navigate the difficult terrain of the ego and avoid its countless traps."

— Ram Giri


"To know what people really think, pay regard to what they do, rather than what they say."

— George Santayana


"It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters."

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."

— Mother Teresa


"Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one."

— Eleanor Roosevelt


"Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care."

— Theodore Roosevelt


"Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt."

"The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up."

"Make it a point to do something every day that you don't want to do. This is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain.

— Mark Twain


"A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he gets to know something."

— Wilson Mizner


"The way you overcome shyness is to become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid."

— Lady Bird Johnson


"Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose."

— Lyndon B. Johnson


"The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously."

— Hubert H. Humphrey