This morning, as I began my 12,288th day clean, I was reading the NA daily meditation for January 3:
I was reminded of how some on this forum say that the NA program deals only with the physical symptoms of addiction, that the program ignores its spiritual cause and so provides no path for spiritual growth. I can only say that their experience with the program is exceedingly shallow. Maybe the only meetings they ever went to were in a treatment facility, or perhaps they just didn't listen to a plain reading of the Twelve Steps. Maybe they were listening too much to people who were attending NA meetings but who hadn't adopted the program of recovery, who were still running their lives according to their own program instead of the NA program.
Regardless, in the interest of correcting that sadly mistaken impression, here are a few quotes from the NA Basic Text. Many more similar quotes can be found in the books It Works How and Why and Living Clean, but these few should be sufficient to demonstrate that the NA program is first and foremost a spiritual program intended to address a spiritual condition, and that abstinence from drug use is merely a necessary first step on the spiritual path to recovery.
In these times it can be difficult for a newcomer to find an NA meeting to attend. There are quite a number of meetings online; a list of many meetings worldwide can be found here. The times shown are given in your local time so you don't have to try to convert for time zone differences; the page loads a bit slowly and I think that's the time it takes to do the conversions. I suggest trying a number of different meetings because different meetings have different personalities; some I prefer more than others and there's nothing wrong with that.
"When we first arrived in NA, we had all kinds of ideas of what we needed. Some of us set our sights on amassing personal possessions. We thought recovery equaled outward success. But recovery does not equal success. Today, we believe that our greatest need is for spiritual guidance and strength. The greatest damage done to us by our addiction was the damage done to our spirituality… We were spiritually bankrupt. Sooner or later, we realize that our greatest need in recovery is "for knowledge of God's will for us and the strength to carry that out.” There, we find the direction and sense of purpose our addiction had hidden from us. In our God's will we find freedom from self-will… without the spiritual connection offered by the NA program, our greatest need in recovery goes unmet, regardless of how "successful" we may be."
I was reminded of how some on this forum say that the NA program deals only with the physical symptoms of addiction, that the program ignores its spiritual cause and so provides no path for spiritual growth. I can only say that their experience with the program is exceedingly shallow. Maybe the only meetings they ever went to were in a treatment facility, or perhaps they just didn't listen to a plain reading of the Twelve Steps. Maybe they were listening too much to people who were attending NA meetings but who hadn't adopted the program of recovery, who were still running their lives according to their own program instead of the NA program.
Regardless, in the interest of correcting that sadly mistaken impression, here are a few quotes from the NA Basic Text. Many more similar quotes can be found in the books It Works How and Why and Living Clean, but these few should be sufficient to demonstrate that the NA program is first and foremost a spiritual program intended to address a spiritual condition, and that abstinence from drug use is merely a necessary first step on the spiritual path to recovery.
In these times it can be difficult for a newcomer to find an NA meeting to attend. There are quite a number of meetings online; a list of many meetings worldwide can be found here. The times shown are given in your local time so you don't have to try to convert for time zone differences; the page loads a bit slowly and I think that's the time it takes to do the conversions. I suggest trying a number of different meetings because different meetings have different personalities; some I prefer more than others and there's nothing wrong with that.
“Based on our experience, we believe that every addict, including the potential addict, suffers from an incurable disease of body, mind, and spirit. We were in the grip of a hopeless dilemma, the solution of which is spiritual in nature.” Pg xxvi
“Our program is a set of spiritual principles through which we are recovering from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.” Pg xxvi
“Addiction is a physical, mental and spiritual disease that affects every area of our lives.” Pg 20
“The spiritual part of our disease is our total self-centeredness.” Pg 20
“...it is necessary to be honest about our belief if we are to grow spiritually.” Pg 26
“We simply realize there is a force for spiritual growth that can help us become more tolerant, patient, and useful in helping others.” Pg 26
“We found that we do not recover physically, mentally or spiritually overnight.” Pg 28
“Step Six helps us move in a spiritual direction.” Pg 35
“This is our road to spiritual growth.” Pg 37
“If we are careless and fail to grasp the spiritual meaning of this step, we may have difficulties and stir up old troubles.” Pg 37
“This is our road to spiritual growth, and we will want to continue.” Pg 37
“A lot of courage and faith goes into making an amend, and a lot of spiritual growth results.” Pg 42
“Having entered this phase of our spiritual program through practicing the previous ten steps, most of us welcome the exercise of prayer and meditation. Our spiritual condition is the basis for a successful recovery that offers unlimited growth.” Pg 44
“We use this step to improve and maintain our spiritual condition.” Pg 44
“Ours is a spiritual, not a religious program.” Pg 45
“To ensure our continued growth and recovery, we have to learn to maintain our lives on a spiritually sound basis.” Pg 45
“As we grow spiritually and find a Power greater than ourselves, we begin to realize that as long as our spiritual needs are met, our living problems are reduced to a point of comfort.” Pg 47-48
“It is all right for us to admit powerlessness, because God is powerful enough to help us stay clean and to enjoy spiritual progress.” Pg 48
“With-out this step, it is unlikely that we could experience a spiritual awakening, practice spiritual principles in our lives or carry a sufficient message to attract others to recovery. There is a spiritual principle of giving away what we have been given in Narcotics Anonymous in order to keep it. By helping others to stay clean, we enjoy the benefit of the spiritual wealth that we have found.” Pg 49
“The steps lead to an awakening of a spiritual nature.” Pg 49
“The idea of a spiritual awakening takes many different forms in the different personalities that we find in the Fellowship. However, all spiritual awakenings have some things in common. Common elements include an end to loneliness and a sense of direction in our lives. Many of us believe that a spiritual awakening is meaningless unless accompanied by an increase in peace of mind and a concern for others.” Pg 49-50
“In the Twelfth Step, we practice the spiritual principles of giving the NA message of recovery in order to keep it.” Pg 50
“When we share with someone new, we may ask to be used as a spiritual instrument of our Higher Power.” Pg 50
“This miraculous turnabout is evidence of spiritual awakening.” Pg 51
“The more eagerly we wade in and work, the richer our spiritual awakening will be.” Pg 51
“By staying clean, we begin to practice spiritual principles such as hope, surrender, acceptance, honesty, open-mindedness, willingness, faith, tolerance, patience, humility, unconditional love, sharing and caring. As our recovery progress-es, spiritual principles touch every area of our lives, because we simply try to live this program in the here and now.” Pg 51-52
“Spiritually refreshed, we are glad to be alive.” Pg 52
“Practicing spiritual principles in our daily lives leads us to a new image of ourselves.” Pg 52
“We become spiritually refreshed and are glad to be alive. One aspect of our spiritual awakening comes through the new understanding of our Higher Power that we develop by sharing another addict’s recovery.” Pg 52
“Our sponsors and friends can advise us on how to work the steps. We can talk over what the steps mean. They can help us to prepare for the spiritual experience of living the steps” Pg 57
“We find that by working the steps, communicating with our Higher Power, talking to our sponsors, and sharing with newcomers, we are able to grow spiritually.” Pg 58
“Seeking our Higher Power’s will is a spiritual principle found in the steps.” Pg 58
“We recognize our spiritual growth when we are able to reach out and help others.” Pg 58
“Narcotics Anonymous is a Fellowship of men and women, addicts meeting in groups and using a given set of spiritual principles to find freedom from addiction and a new way to live.” Pg 66
“The Sixth Tradition goes on to warn us what may happen: “lest problems of money, property or prestige divert us from our primary purpose.” These problems often become obsessions and shut us off from our spiritual aim.” Pg 71
“In order to achieve our spiritual aim, Narcotics Anonymous must be known and respected.” Pg 74
“In our daily lives, we are subject to emotional and spiritual lapses, causing us to become defenseless against the physical relapse of drug use.” Pg 79
“We begin to live the pro-gram; we learn to apply spiritual principles in our lives.” Pg 84
“Spiritual maintenance means ongoing recovery. Isolation is dangerous to spiritual growth.” Pg 84
“In recovery, we experience spiritual growth.” Pg 86
“We get relief through the Twelve Steps, which are essential to the recovery process, because they are a new, spiritual way of life that allows us to participate in our own recovery.” Pg 91
“We recognize that we are human with a physical, mental and spiritual sickness.” Pg 94
“As our lives become more comfortable, many of us lapse into spiritual complacency, and risking relapse, we find ourselves in the same horror and loss of purpose from which we have been given only a daily reprieve. This is, hopefully, when our pain motivates us to renew our daily spiritual maintenance.” Pg 95
“Some things we must accept, others we can change. The wisdom to know the difference comes with growth in our spiritual program. If we maintain our spiritual condition daily, we find it easier to deal with the pain and confusion.” Pg 95
“The old self-deception and self-centeredness can be replaced with spiritual principles.” Pg 97
“We put spiritual living first and learn to use patience, tolerance and humility in our daily affairs.” Pg 97
“We need to become willing to let God remove these defects that burden our spiritual growth.” Pg 98
“Separation from the atmosphere of recovery and from the spirit of service to others slows our spiritual growth.” Pg 102
“Spiritual growth, love, and compassion are idle potentials until shared with a fellow addict. By giving unconditional love in the Fellowship, we become more loving, and by sharing spiritual growth we become more spiritual.” Pg 103
“By carrying this message to another addict, we are reminded of our own beginnings. Having had an opportunity to remember old feelings and behaviors, we are able to see our own personal and spiritual growth.” Pg 104
“We need to constantly review our feelings and thoughts if we are to stay enthusiastic and grow spiritually.” Pg 104
“As we do this, we undergo a vital spiritual experience and are changed.” Pg 105
“A spiritual awakening is an ongoing process. We experience a wider view of reality as we grow spiritually. An opening of our minds to new spiritual and physical experiences is the key to better awareness. As we grow spiritually we become attuned to our feelings and our purpose in life. By loving ourselves, we become able to truly love others. This is a spiritual awakening that comes as a result of living this program.” Pg 105-106
“This ability to listen is a gift and grows as we grow spiritually.” Pg 107
“Spirituality enables us to live life to its fullest, feeling grateful for who we are and for what we have done in life.” Pg 107
“Our program is a set of spiritual principles through which we are recovering from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.” Pg xxvi
“Addiction is a physical, mental and spiritual disease that affects every area of our lives.” Pg 20
“The spiritual part of our disease is our total self-centeredness.” Pg 20
“...it is necessary to be honest about our belief if we are to grow spiritually.” Pg 26
“We simply realize there is a force for spiritual growth that can help us become more tolerant, patient, and useful in helping others.” Pg 26
“We found that we do not recover physically, mentally or spiritually overnight.” Pg 28
“Step Six helps us move in a spiritual direction.” Pg 35
“This is our road to spiritual growth.” Pg 37
“If we are careless and fail to grasp the spiritual meaning of this step, we may have difficulties and stir up old troubles.” Pg 37
“This is our road to spiritual growth, and we will want to continue.” Pg 37
“A lot of courage and faith goes into making an amend, and a lot of spiritual growth results.” Pg 42
“Having entered this phase of our spiritual program through practicing the previous ten steps, most of us welcome the exercise of prayer and meditation. Our spiritual condition is the basis for a successful recovery that offers unlimited growth.” Pg 44
“We use this step to improve and maintain our spiritual condition.” Pg 44
“Ours is a spiritual, not a religious program.” Pg 45
“To ensure our continued growth and recovery, we have to learn to maintain our lives on a spiritually sound basis.” Pg 45
“As we grow spiritually and find a Power greater than ourselves, we begin to realize that as long as our spiritual needs are met, our living problems are reduced to a point of comfort.” Pg 47-48
“It is all right for us to admit powerlessness, because God is powerful enough to help us stay clean and to enjoy spiritual progress.” Pg 48
“With-out this step, it is unlikely that we could experience a spiritual awakening, practice spiritual principles in our lives or carry a sufficient message to attract others to recovery. There is a spiritual principle of giving away what we have been given in Narcotics Anonymous in order to keep it. By helping others to stay clean, we enjoy the benefit of the spiritual wealth that we have found.” Pg 49
“The steps lead to an awakening of a spiritual nature.” Pg 49
“The idea of a spiritual awakening takes many different forms in the different personalities that we find in the Fellowship. However, all spiritual awakenings have some things in common. Common elements include an end to loneliness and a sense of direction in our lives. Many of us believe that a spiritual awakening is meaningless unless accompanied by an increase in peace of mind and a concern for others.” Pg 49-50
“In the Twelfth Step, we practice the spiritual principles of giving the NA message of recovery in order to keep it.” Pg 50
“When we share with someone new, we may ask to be used as a spiritual instrument of our Higher Power.” Pg 50
“This miraculous turnabout is evidence of spiritual awakening.” Pg 51
“The more eagerly we wade in and work, the richer our spiritual awakening will be.” Pg 51
“By staying clean, we begin to practice spiritual principles such as hope, surrender, acceptance, honesty, open-mindedness, willingness, faith, tolerance, patience, humility, unconditional love, sharing and caring. As our recovery progress-es, spiritual principles touch every area of our lives, because we simply try to live this program in the here and now.” Pg 51-52
“Spiritually refreshed, we are glad to be alive.” Pg 52
“Practicing spiritual principles in our daily lives leads us to a new image of ourselves.” Pg 52
“We become spiritually refreshed and are glad to be alive. One aspect of our spiritual awakening comes through the new understanding of our Higher Power that we develop by sharing another addict’s recovery.” Pg 52
“Our sponsors and friends can advise us on how to work the steps. We can talk over what the steps mean. They can help us to prepare for the spiritual experience of living the steps” Pg 57
“We find that by working the steps, communicating with our Higher Power, talking to our sponsors, and sharing with newcomers, we are able to grow spiritually.” Pg 58
“Seeking our Higher Power’s will is a spiritual principle found in the steps.” Pg 58
“We recognize our spiritual growth when we are able to reach out and help others.” Pg 58
“Narcotics Anonymous is a Fellowship of men and women, addicts meeting in groups and using a given set of spiritual principles to find freedom from addiction and a new way to live.” Pg 66
“The Sixth Tradition goes on to warn us what may happen: “lest problems of money, property or prestige divert us from our primary purpose.” These problems often become obsessions and shut us off from our spiritual aim.” Pg 71
“In order to achieve our spiritual aim, Narcotics Anonymous must be known and respected.” Pg 74
“In our daily lives, we are subject to emotional and spiritual lapses, causing us to become defenseless against the physical relapse of drug use.” Pg 79
“We begin to live the pro-gram; we learn to apply spiritual principles in our lives.” Pg 84
“Spiritual maintenance means ongoing recovery. Isolation is dangerous to spiritual growth.” Pg 84
“In recovery, we experience spiritual growth.” Pg 86
“We get relief through the Twelve Steps, which are essential to the recovery process, because they are a new, spiritual way of life that allows us to participate in our own recovery.” Pg 91
“We recognize that we are human with a physical, mental and spiritual sickness.” Pg 94
“As our lives become more comfortable, many of us lapse into spiritual complacency, and risking relapse, we find ourselves in the same horror and loss of purpose from which we have been given only a daily reprieve. This is, hopefully, when our pain motivates us to renew our daily spiritual maintenance.” Pg 95
“Some things we must accept, others we can change. The wisdom to know the difference comes with growth in our spiritual program. If we maintain our spiritual condition daily, we find it easier to deal with the pain and confusion.” Pg 95
“The old self-deception and self-centeredness can be replaced with spiritual principles.” Pg 97
“We put spiritual living first and learn to use patience, tolerance and humility in our daily affairs.” Pg 97
“We need to become willing to let God remove these defects that burden our spiritual growth.” Pg 98
“Separation from the atmosphere of recovery and from the spirit of service to others slows our spiritual growth.” Pg 102
“Spiritual growth, love, and compassion are idle potentials until shared with a fellow addict. By giving unconditional love in the Fellowship, we become more loving, and by sharing spiritual growth we become more spiritual.” Pg 103
“By carrying this message to another addict, we are reminded of our own beginnings. Having had an opportunity to remember old feelings and behaviors, we are able to see our own personal and spiritual growth.” Pg 104
“We need to constantly review our feelings and thoughts if we are to stay enthusiastic and grow spiritually.” Pg 104
“As we do this, we undergo a vital spiritual experience and are changed.” Pg 105
“A spiritual awakening is an ongoing process. We experience a wider view of reality as we grow spiritually. An opening of our minds to new spiritual and physical experiences is the key to better awareness. As we grow spiritually we become attuned to our feelings and our purpose in life. By loving ourselves, we become able to truly love others. This is a spiritual awakening that comes as a result of living this program.” Pg 105-106
“This ability to listen is a gift and grows as we grow spiritually.” Pg 107
“Spirituality enables us to live life to its fullest, feeling grateful for who we are and for what we have done in life.” Pg 107
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