Posted by alesta on December 8, 2005, at 13:03:09
In reply to Atheist in NA, posted by Larry Hoover on November 19, 2005, at 21:06:31
> Here's one man's story.
>
> Recovery Without God
> (©1999 World Service Office, Inc.)
>
> It seems that I've been searching all of my life for something to believe in. Finally, in 1982, after fifteen years of nonstop drug abuse, I crawled into the rooms of Narcotics Anonymous. Though I was barely recognizable as a human being, I found in those rooms the hope that had eluded me for so long.
>
> Upon receiving my first hug at my first NA meeting, I knew that I had come home. What I found especially appealing were the choices I had been given -- the choice to not use, just for today, and the choice to have a Higher Power of my own understanding. For the most part, not using just for today proved to be much easier than finding a Higher Power.
>
> Over the years in recovery, I tried many different gods: Jesus, Buddha, Saraswati, Vishnu, and countless others. But I found that trying to believe in an intangible and invisible being or force left me empty and longing for more.
>
> What worked for me in early recovery, as well as today, is using the group as a power greater than myself. Actually it is the unconditional love that I get from the group and members of NA that I believe is a Higher Power -- certainly greater than anything of which I'm capable alone.
>
> Does this mean that I pray or meditate to the group? Of course not. Prayer is simply a petition, and meditation merely reflecting -- it does not have to be directed to anything, anyone, or any deity in particular.
>
> How can I possibly have any purpose or meaning in my life without a god? I believe my purpose in life is to develop into the best me that I can be.
>
> Finally, with what do I maintain a conscious contact, and from where do I seek comfort, if not a god? Today I find comfort in knowing that I am living a healthy, good, clean life and that I am not harming others or myself. I can maintain a conscious contact by holding love close to my heart.
>
> I seek to do the right thing for the right reason. I attempt to move my life forward in a good, orderly direction, and I do my best to incorporate the principles of our steps, traditions, and concepts into each day, I stay close to the program by going to meetings and sharing with my sponsor and sponsees. Today I accept my humanity. I know I'm not perfect, just a perfect human being.
>
> My most significant spiritual awakening was when I realized that the power is in me. I cannot rely on a mythical being or force to do for me what I cannot do for myself, nor do I wish to. After a lifetime spent trying to be everything to everyone, I now know that it begins and ends with me. I have to do the footwork, I must make the effort, and I need to seek the solutions.
>
> As it states in It Works: How and Why, today I have the ability to "live with dignity, love myself and others, laugh, and find great joy and beauty in my surroundings." I believe that life is an adventure waiting for me to discover all of its intricacies, not something to dread. I embrace the life that NA has given me today, and in spite of all the pain, loss, grief, and fear that I've experienced over the years, I relish every waking moment. I love life today.
>
> I recently read something that, for me, says it all: "The meaning of life is to live a life of meaning." Today, with the help of NA, its principles, the friends I've made, and the people I've met along the way, I'm capable of living such a life.
>
> -- Anonymous
>
wow. i really learned something from this...i came to this board in order to get help dealing with my bf/drug addict. i was drawn to this post, and i think it will help me immensely. i need to stop criticizing and judging him. there is just *so much* i have to deal with concerning him, that i am losing my patience. i think i need to try and focus on loving unconditionally, and see what happens.:) i feel like a horrible, judgemental person right now for how i just talked to him. but no one is perfect, like this dude says. i forgive myself, and him. love is the key....always....:)i will also suggest meetings to him, or at least trying to adopt the mindset of staying clean, just for today.
thanks,:)
amy
poster:alesta
thread:580498
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20051106/msgs/586912.html