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Post by caressa on Nov 30, 2006 17:03:14 GMT -5
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Post by stickmonkey on Apr 2, 2007 10:36:26 GMT -5
stuff from the nawol.
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Post by stickmonkey on Apr 2, 2007 10:42:06 GMT -5
Tradition Two
"For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience; our leaders are but trusted servants, they do not govern."
Each of us has been, because of our common malady, unable to govern ourselves. Our initial unmanageability coupled with an admission of powerlessness have become apparent, not only to others, but to ourselves as well. This is often understood as a First Step toward recovery for the individual and initial point of unity for our fellowship; each person must first realize his or her powerlessness and unmanageability.
Neither we, nor any form of society with which we associated, could control our insatiable desire to use drugs and abuse our surroundings. Family, friends, governments, and institutions, none of which had any long lasting success with controlling or disciplining the addict. Through living our lives either controlling or being controlled by others, our need for such a removal of personal government seems further evident. We are people who have grown very sensitive to authority.
It has been our experience, though we cannot be governed, we can be led or inspired toward what feels right in our hearts. This feeling of rightness or goodness is what many of us associate with the spiritual awakening we begin to experience in the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous. It is in this context that the concept of our Second Tradition becomes more obvious. Our only real Authority rests with God, as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Both power drivers and rebels can better work together in this context to carry our message, since neither is expending their energy foolishly fighting amongst the other.
The simple fact is, most of us believe in the Twelve suggested Steps as a design for living clean. Many of us began this process because we had to, but later continued because we wanted what this way of life began offering us. Just as the individual conformed to what felt right in their lives, the group often follows a similar path as expressed in its conscience. Group conscience holds no rigid shape; it is flexible, shaped by the ever growing and changing conscience of its members.
The Twelve Steps as well as our Twelve Traditions consist of the unification of spiritual principles; this is the essence of Narcotics Anonymous. With this in mind, the spiritual interpretation of our Steps or Traditions will always compliment one another. Moreover, the true spiritual conscience of a group will never run in conflict the spiritual principles of our Steps or Traditions.
A group conscience works best when the spirit of a loving God is invited into each decision making process. A simple prayer coupled with a period of meditation can offer previously unforeseen guidance or even tranquility in the midst of chaos. The process of a group conscience can vary widely depending on the circumstance. There can be evidence of a conscience consistently apparent during a meeting, or as a regularly scheduled, organized consultation of its members, most often held before or after the meeting it represents. Although some groups find business discussions happening during meeting time, most members rather the meeting time be used for the purpose of one addict working with another, furthering our primary purpose.
However, the only thing a meeting needs is two or more addicts, a message of hope, and a place to gather; opportunities of service begin to present themselves as a group grows. Positions of trust are established to fulfill these opportunities; leaders, secretaries, treasures, and other representatives are elected to serve so that stability can be accomplished and an atmosphere of recovery can be born.
For a group to survive it must stand the test of time, nothing so much ensures this success so much as the quality and integrity of our servants. A working knowledge of our Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and regular meeting attendance, coupled with a willingness and desire to serve are qualities for both selecting and holding these positions of service.
These are only positions of service, entrusted to those whose duty is only to serve. A group’s servants derive no real authority from such positions; their responsibility is primarily to perform the day-to-day chores of the group. Even in attempts to preserve or cultivate an atmosphere of recovery, this tradition strictly limits the ability of any trusted servant to decide, dictate, rule, or censor the individual member. We must always remember that membership, in itself, ought forever be the highest position attainable in Narcotics Anonymous.
- from member in Los Angeles
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TRADITION 2
"For our Group purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience; our leaders are but trusted servants, they do not govern."
I had to have my own personal experiences with a loving God as the ultimate authority in my own life. I needed a full range of experiences over an extended period of time. Most of the time it is only after reflecting on my reactions to a specific situation that I may uncover my true motives. Whether they are positive or negative motives. I needed to see the type of fruit that grows from the seeds of self righteousness and from the type of fruit that grows from the seeds of selflessness. This tradition warns me that if I violate any of our traditions I will meet with a disaster when I am selfish or self righteous.
Only when I could see beyond my initial reactions and motives could I get to the exact nature and operate in a true spirit of unity, considering the greater good or higher purpose, as well as the fact that I may not be right.
I cannot focus on my personal opinion, a person’s perceived status, number of tapes or my feelings about the individual or individuals. We are equal in NA. What I can do is be an active participant in my home group. And listen for a loving God expressing himself, forming a group conscience. Just what is conscience? It is my internal spiritual compass or innate sense of right and wrong. My reliance on a loving God and the ability to put this reliance into action is how I arrive at acceptance of a situation. Sometimes I think I may know better than God. NA and its groups are in the care of God.
At times, I can clearly see that God is not expressing himself in our group conscience. It is easy for me to trust God when things are going the way I think they should. Based on my own personal experience, the true test of faith and trust is the ability to maintain spiritual principles in the darkest part of the night, when there is no light on the horizon.
An individual or a group of people do not have the spiritual right to violate any of our traditions by using their time (time abstinent) or popularity to influence the group conscience in a way that would divert the group, service board or committee from its primary purpose. And then hang their nonsense on God. There is a vast difference between a simple majority and God expressing himself in the form of group conscience. In any case, unity guides me so that I do not make attempts to polarize the group and to trust that a loving God will prevail.
Our leaders are trusted servants which to me implies that our leaders are trust worthy. Addicts by nature are not trust worthy people. Therefore the leaders that this tradition is referring to must have undergone a fundamental transformation by working and practicing the 12 steps. No matter what is done or undone our leaders are giving their time and effort. Even if I sometimes disagree with the results I am grateful for our leaders, service boards and committees. The 2nd tradition reminds me to work the 12th step and highlights steps 3 & 11.
I do my best to be supportive and encourage our leaders; as they are people just like me, trying to do the best they can with what they have or are working on. I am part of the solution today; not part of the problem. I continue to work steps, practice spiritual principles, make new mistakes and change. I love and guide the people I sponsor through the 12 steps in the same basic way I was, which is really all I have to give.
John H
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Post by majestyjo on Dec 22, 2017 11:58:33 GMT -5
This sounds good in the telling. I heard a long-timer say to a newcomer, "We don't turn anyone away who has a desire to quit drinking." Unfortunately, I have seen too many turned away because they escorted a family member or they said they were an addict. No one stops to think that the family member grew up in the same household as the alcoholic and may also have a problem with alcohol or have their own addiction with another substance. A seed could have been planted if they had been allowed to stay.
It doesn't happen all the time. We have a girl who introduces herself as an addict at Four Directions.
You are an alcoholic when you say you are. All you need is a desire to stop drinking in today.
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. I will be back looking for Lin and others.