The key to 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 all addictions are basically a result of our efforts to escape living in the present in the first place. Bill Alexander's unique approach to recovery uses mindfulness meditation to help alcoholics and others learn to come back to the present moment and to find healing there. His approach, which he calls Ordinary Recovery, is distinguished by its concern with finding the "higher power" of traditional twelve-step programs in the ordinary activities of everyday life. "Cool Water has both depth and charm, and that sets it apart from most books on recovery, which seem to be stuck on the number twelve and the metaphor of stairs. The writing is stripped to the bone and beautiful. In it I feel Bill's presence and appreciate his restraint. There is a market for this book that is even wider than the considerable Sober Minority -- ordinary people who need the kind of wise and gentle stories Bill has to tell." -- Sam Keen, author of Fire in the Belly, To a Dancing God, and The Passionate Life. "An inspired work. Bill Alexander is opening a door of healing for literally millions of people." -- Joan Halifax, author of The Fruitful Darkness "Cool Water, with its unique combination of practical exercises and from-the-gut honesty, is sure to be enthusiastically embraced by the countless people who thirst for authentic experience and a trustworthy voice." -- Mel Ash, author of The Zen of Recovery William Alexander is a Zen student and a recovering alcoholic. He leads workshops in Ordinary Recovery nationwide and is the author of A Man's Book of the Spirit.