The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Today's page points to AlAnon as a spiritual program in which religious affiliation or belief is not required. It is vital, however, to conceive of and rely on a power greater than ourselves that will bring meaning to our Step work and recovery.
It matters not what we call our higher power, for some it happens to be God, others Higher Power, some start out thinking of it as the AlAnon fellowship and customize it as their recovery develops. Some have even used the (g)ood (o)rderly (d)irection acronym.
This flexibility is a blessing as it allows anyone to make use of the program, regardless of belief system. The importance is not on who or what our HP is, but that we have one, and it is not us. Like electricity, we don't have to understand every aspect, we just need to turn on the switch.
Reminder: Willingness will allow me to find what I need in my higher power.
From AlAnon's 12 & 12: "When I have at last realized that my problems are too big to solve by myself...I need not be alone with them if I am willing to accept help from a Higher Power." ***************** I marvel at how the flexibility in spiritual concept allows AlAnon to be so much to so many, across such a wide cross section of belief. It steers away from an area that often fosters dissent and conflict, religion, and guides to the healing pool of spirituality.
This healthy focus allowed me to heal the wounds I carried from prior religious experience, and stand alongside others of different beliefs but similar commitment to recovery. I am blessed to have a higher power that brings comfort and guidance on my recovery journey, something I would not have without AlAnon. I am truly grateful
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Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Thanks for posting this important message Paul I know that alanon being a spiritual program and allowing myself and others to redefine our own concepts of a Higher Power , enabled me to keep coming back with an open mind .
In the beginning , I was so turned off by religion ,that I used the principles and concepts of program as my HP. Today thanks to practicing these principles in all my affairs, I have a Higher Power I can rely on who is perfect, wisdom , love, and compassion . I am eternally grateful to alnon for re- awakening my spiritual self.
Thanks Paul, organized religion has always been a real turn off for me. The higher power spirituality and fellowship of Alanon has been so much easier for me to relate to.
for me my higher power is aroha- which is a universal love applied close at hand. it is different from the eros-agape variants of love which were derived from the ancient Greeks. I found dualism unhelpful, which is my choice, my pick. Aroha sees no division between spirit and matter.
I see aroha in other people too- even though they might call it by different names. I see aroha in sadness and grief. And I see it arise and turn the bad spots in our lives to happiness and joy.
The boundaries in groups vary a lot- when it comes to religious issues. Tradition 10 is plonked right in the middle... and while Alanon has no opinion on outside issues, I believe that we may. So long as we are equally tolerant of others.
As groups grow in maturity we grow too.... We are encouraged to have outside interests because Alanon can not be all things to all people. It is a good place to cast aside old fears, and misconceptions...
Thanks for the daily Paul and your service! Thanks to all for the ESH above me.....I thought I'd responded earlier - clearly a distraction took me away!
As with most things requiring thought, I came to Al-Anon with distorted and even some insane thoughts about religion, God and faith. I could bore you all with the details but let's just say, the same black/white thinking I applied to all/most other things in life, I applied here too.
I did resist because I had fear. The only concept of a higher power came from my FOO and my upbringing, so it did not bring me comfort to be able to identify my own HP....again, it was me - overthinking things and trying to work a perfect program.
Many suggested the group. Others suggested literature. Yet others suggested nature, etc. Everyone did tell me there were no wrong answers, it was personal and my choice. Yet, the did keep suggested I just needed to believe in a power, any power, greater than I. I respect others who have an organized religious program - that's not me....For me, I separate the two by viewing religion as a structured way to worship with others, and spiritually as my direct connect line or personal relationship with my HP.
I did have to spend some time when I arrived and I can also say my HP has changed a bit here/there and expanded as I've grown in trust and faith. Great read and great topic!!! (((Hugs))) to all!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
Paul, I LOVE your share and your take on it.....I struggled with religion and finally walked away from it, I call myself more and more spiritual as I evolve in Al-anon....if someone had told me that there was only one way to go this program, and tossed the bible at me, I would have walked away.......my HP is within me...As I do my mindful exercises and explore me and my feelings and i'm more in the present, I feel my inner HP more...something beautiful created this universe and I have my part of it within me.....thanks for your awesome share, Paul.....i enjoyed reading it......Hugs
