Question relating to the Higher Power

JSuttonBaines · Newbie

Question relating to the Higher Power

Raman · Guru

Interesting and very challenging my dear friend !!!
Ive known and still know Wiccans that have long periods of clean time and sanity..

If Satan is indeed a power greater than addiction, then it must be fine.....

"the right to a God of your understanding is total and without catches" Basic Text Step Three....

This day, I choose to call God "THEFORCETHATKEEPSMECLEANANDSERENEANDSAFE"............

A mouthful, sure, but works like a mantra,, always !!!!

Rhivenn · Veteran Member

In my opinion, no-one should be arguing with anyone else, about who or what they 'can' use as a Higher Power. I struggle with the concept of God...am stuck on Step 3 right now. i was told that if I neeed to use AA as HP, or a doorknob, then that was my choice. I think for some, it can be more challenging if you have a concept of HP that is different from the 'norm', but absolutely not impossible. For instance, to fit my shaky beliefs better, when we pray after meetings, I don't say "Our Father" I say "My God". Your relationship with HP, is just that: yours. As a follower of a less mainstream way of thinking, you're likely used to critiscism and judgement from those who fear and misunderstand. Sadly, you'll still find that within the 12-step rooms, because we're still human beings after all. In the end, what matters is that you work the steps, perform service work, stay sober one day at a time, and keep coming back!

Rhiv.

avid · Guru

Narcotics Anonymous is a spiritual program. Spiritual principles guide our recovery.
If Satan, as you understand him is a loving, caring power greater than yourself who teaches you to love others,
to be tolerant, and patient, putting others needs before your own etc, then i say 'fine'.
That is not my understanding of satan, but then again he is not my higher power.

MIKEF · Guru

Hello James and Welcome to MIP!

Your question is thought provoking and very valid/ I also agree that this Power ONLY NEED BE LOVING AND CARING AND GREATER THAN YOU. In our 2nd Step this Power can be whatever you choose it to be to help you stay clean,the group,a sponsors help,something someone shares your own concept.If you find Satan loving and caring (definitely greater than you)then you are free to choose...Remember this is also a PROCESS ,NOT AN EVENT SO WHEN WE GET TO THE THIRD STEP,OR EVEN BEFORE (we made a decision to turn are will and lives over to care of "God' as we understood Him)you may or may not be formulating a different idea of your Higher Power??I do not know how Satanists worship I only have my own understanding and like Don, its not my Higher Power..I truly wish you ,recovery ,a day at a time,working spiritual principles of our Steps and applying in your life and giving back what you are so freely given in a loving and caring manner...Our programs are to include all regardless of religion or lack of religion a spiritual ,not religious program.If Satan is your spiritual guide and allows you to carry the message of love and caring to the still sick and suffering,that an addict any addict can stop using drugs,lose the desire to use and find a new way to love, our programs primary purpose ,to stay clean just for today and carry the message of recovery,then that is your way.....!Keep coming back let us know how your doing.... smile

Dave R · Guru

Good answers. I've never seen this come up before. As was said earlier, the only requirement is that your higher power be loving, caring, and greater than you.

Raman · Guru

what is emerging is clear;
basically as long as that power is greater than ourselves, greater than addiction and greater than our defects; that caring, loving power certainly qualifies as HP..

We don,t even have to name that Power, because ours is an "anonymous "fellowship...

JSuttonBaines · Newbie

Thank you, to all of you for responding to my question. It's been very helpful to see and know that there are actually people who adhere to what the program says about acceptence of someone for who they are.. I thought that the program says that " We are not interested in what you've done in the past, who your connections were, what or how much you used ", to me that just means that they really don't care whether I worship a tree, Satan, a spoon, you get my point. But see, I was rushed into a decision about both my placement after treatment (I'm in a recovery home, when I would much rather have been in a half-way house, seeing as this is my first time in recovery actually working a program. I believe that the structure that comes with a half-way house would have been much more benificial for me, but due to my criminal record, I was not allowed this privilage. ) And also whom I chose as my sponsor.

Now, don't get me wrong, my sponsor is a very knowledgeable man in the program, but he really doesn't seem to be a good fit for me, and my views. See, he's a very strong believer in the Christian faith, and I'm fretting to let him know my views on Theology, he doesn't know what I use as a higher power, as of right now, as we've only begun to work the first step about a week ago. I worked steps 1-3 in treatment, but as my choice, I wanted to work them again, with a sponsor, in an un-sheltered environment. I'm thinking that maybe I should just tell him that I don't believe things will work out between us, as his views certainly conflict with mine, and I'd rather leave our relationship in tact, rather than decimating it in this way.

I'm sorry if I seem a little overbearing with my questions here, but as I said, I'm pretty early on into this whole thing in the real world, and I'm seeking some sort of guidance as to what I should be doing exactly. Thanks again for everyone who has replied to this,

James

Raman · Guru

Gosh man,,, this is a complicated situation.

But let me share that having been in awkward situations with sponsors myself (Ive never had a Hindu sponsor in NA).

If the sponsor be a real honest and spiritual recovering addict, then inspite of conflicting religious ideals, will guide an addict recovery-wise.

Like my friend M is a devout Christian and Im a Hindu in religion.
Many of our religious ideals maybe conflicting, but this is a spiritual and not religious Program.

M has never once forced any beliefs or dogmas on me,,, in fact only shares insight and experience, strength and hope on various issues Ive faced.

So you see mate, if it is spiritual its gotta be practical.

What i believe in is not in consideration of a Good Higher Power but what that belief does to me ?

Does belief in a certain HP keep me clean, courageous, serene and wise ?
Or does that belief lead me to be self-centred, angry and pushy, dogmatic etc. ?

Remember that the "right to a God of your understanding is total and without any catches" (Basic Text, Step Three).

So in this case, it maybe real practical to share your HP with your sponsor, without any fear of rejection.
If he accepts, then well and good, but if not, then either you move on or change religion........

Make a wise and delibrate choice my friend,,, this is a life and death matter of recovery or relapse....

Raman · Guru

Or maybe, just maybe, say to Satan
"Take my will and my life,
guide me in my recovery,
show me how to live"...

What's the effect of that ?

Raman · Guru

Completely non-NA approved,,, just a personal suggestion by another recovering addict in NA !!!

The following link is to a website started by a recovering friend of mine.

Looks like the "balancing act" that you're looking for !!

http://witchychristian.tripod.com/ChristianWitch.htm

-- Edited by Raman on Friday 16th of September 2011 01:39:29 AM

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