| The Essenes and TC |
| I have had a fascination with the Dead Sea Scrolls and the culture of the Essenes for a long time. Mostly because of my love and interest of both the 12 Step model of Recovery and my career as a Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor specializing in the Behavior Modification model of TC (Therapeutic Communities) in jail/prison based populations. I hold credentials as a BCSAC (Board Certified Substance Abuse Counselor), RCS, (Registered Case Supevisor), MAC (Masters Addictions Counselor) CCJS (Certified Criminal Justice Specialist), CTCTOT, (Certified Therapeutic Community Trainer of Trainers). I am very proud of the work God has set me to do. It is TRULY a miracle in light of "from whence I came". I'd like to talk about the association of the Essenes to the Behavior Modification model of TC's, where the similarities are and how the 12 Steps of Recovery are actually taken from the Principals of Right Living of the Essenes. Dr. George DeLeon in his book, The Therapeutic Community says "TC concepts, beliefs, and practices are traced to indirect influences found in religion, philosophy, psychiatry, and the social and behavioral sciences. Some suggest that the TC prototype is ancient, present in all forms of communal healing and support. For example, the Dead Sea scrolls at Qumron detail the communal practices of an ascetic religious sect of perhaps Essenes, including a section on the "Rule of the Community". Decrying the ways of the spirit of falsehood, this Essene code addressed the problems of greed, lying, cruelty, brazen insolence, lust and "walking in the ways of darkenss and guile". Adherance to the rules and teachings of the community was the exhortation in order to live righteously and healthily". "Reference to the idea of diseases of the soul is also contained in the writings of Phil Judeaus (BC 25 to AD 45) in his description of a group living in Alexadria Egypt. This was a community of healers (therapeutrides) of the "incurable diseases of the soul. They "profess an art of medicine for (excessive) pleasures and appetites...the immeasurable multitude of passions and vices" The disease of the soul is manifested as a disorder of the whole person, when I say the whole person I am talking mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, social and volitonal (the will). These disorders are classic symptoms of substance abusers, but are also symptomatic in the families of the substance abusers as well as some of the families of the mentally or physically challenged. There is an excellent book by Sharon Weigsheider-Cruse that gives the specifics of how the dysfunctional family system is manifested as a disorder of the whole person. As for the Essenes and TC's and the 12 Steps, The Principals of Right Living that are characteristics of the Essenes. The gate link below will take you back to the Rules of Life and the Principals of Right Living. Remaining Prayerful, Joyce Reaves, BCSAC |
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