Posted by Larry Hoover on May 25, 2006, at 7:07:26
In reply to Higher Power » stickywicket, posted by curtm on May 24, 2006, at 14:44:28
Before I speak to Higher Power, I'd also like to say that I prefer NA over AA. In NA, we say "Thinking of alcohol as different from other drugs has caused a great many addicts to relapse. Before we came to N.A. many of us viewed alcohol separately, but we cannot afford to be confused about this. Alcohol is a drug. Period." Alcohol isn't special. In fact, we commonly speak of any addiction, even ones with their very own programs. Food. Gambling. It's a level playing field.
Over at AA, I used to feel a great sadness, as people went out for their smoke break, holding their coffees. Alcoholics love to substitute other addictions, thinking themselves cured. During those breaks, I'd see the little clusters at the fringe, those members of the AA Marijuana Maintenance Program sub-group. <sigh>
> He said the Higher Power in AA isn't necessarily God, it is anything that you has power over you. Right now the drugs are that. If you want to change that, you have to give that power to something else.
I'm agnostic. But I wasn't about to let one of my prejudices keep me from getting better. Every time the word God was said, I chuckled to myself, as that person had clearly mispronounced the word "good". I have no problem whatsoever in believing that there is a greater good. A power of good. And that it could help me.
The Anonymous programs are spiritual programs, but some do try to make them religious programs. My spirit understands good. It doesn't understand dogma.
Another one I like is the group itself. It can be your HP. Think about what we do in those rooms. A group of clearly dysfunctional people, none of whom can yet grasp just how they came to be so messed up, simply create wellness together. If there is any sign of alchemy in the world today, it has got to be that. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but somehow, 12-steppers have found a way.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:647370
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20060512/msgs/648269.html