tradition one

dalin · Senior Member

tradition one

dalin · Senior Member

TRADITION ONE

"Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends on NA unity."

dalin · Senior Member

none of this is world aproved.

just cool stuff that can be helpful

dalin · Senior Member

Common welfare is what we share in common through NA. Commonality of purpose and spirit gives us the positive lift and attitude that won't say "no" when an addict is asking for help. Being part of something is very important. Being accepted as we are and made to feel welcome as ourselves instead of in spite of ourselves is something the group owes to all addicts seeking recovery. The common welfare we are all striving for is the ability to stay clean just for today and this unites us all in our common good. We can be an example to others by applying the principles of the 12 steps in our personal lives and living in the solution to our problem.

Tahir · Member

Thanks Dalin. For me, approved or unapproved, as long as it is working for addicts in NA, and most importantly, as long as it is advantageous and beneficial for my recovery, I'm grateful for those tools...

dalin · Senior Member

Throughout the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous, each member is but a small part of a much greater whole. NA must continue to live, for without the recovery born of this fellowship, many of us would surely face the alternatives of jails, institutions, dereliction, and death. It is in the spirit of unity that we are offered freedom from active addiction by collectively practicing the principles of NA=s Twelve Steps in our daily lives. Our meetings, and our groups, are the forum by which one addict works with another, freely giving what was so freely given to us.

dalin · Senior Member

The Twelve Steps of Narcotics Anonymous, as implemented in the lives of each of our members, are often viewed as his or her personal recovery. Our spiritual connection with each other’s personal recovery creates one of the strongest ties binding us together. Eventually, every member who has suffered the horrors of addiction and gains hope of recovery understands the necessity and vitality of a spiritual way of life. As this awakening of the spirit occurs and flourishes, so does our unity. As we apply the Twelve Steps in our lives as a design for living, we open the door to humility.

The concept of group unity plays an important role in the 1st Tradition. The value of strength in numbers is evident throughout NA. Support among addicts helps us to better understand that some individuality can be detrimental to our recovery. Although we may be destructive independently, we are able to gather strength from cooperation. Isolation for addicts leads to dissention, as we separate ourselves from our group, we are actually weakening the group and hurting ourselves at the same time. Each member of our fellowship has something to offer; as he/she separates, one less offering has been eliminated. Even this cannot destroy the group effort, but it does nothing to add strength. From strength in group unity, we gain momentum, building stronger foundation to lean on in times of need. For newcomers, this is important. Becoming a part of a group effort brings addicts out of their shell, while at the same time, raising the possibility of adding positive support to the fellowship of NA.

dalin · Senior Member

this is all to true.

sometimes we try so hard to get our way,that we dont see the source of our unmanagability is us.

it is strange also how in relationships,when we use the traditions as guidlines,see a couple as unity,and that every thing either brings them together,or disunity tares them apart.

dalin · Senior Member

i am working this step and the first tradition with a sponsee,and seeing him apply it in his relationship.

it is awesome to see the lights come on in there eyes when it clicks.

-- Edited by dalin at 20:19, 2006-11-09

dalin · Senior Member

1. What exactly is meant by unity?

2. Why is unity so important to a healthy relationship?

3. How does prejudice-narrowmindedness affect unity with others?

4. How important is open-mindedness in a relationship?

5. Are you more a "giver" or a "taker" in your relationship?

6. Do you have a balance in your relationship avoiding extremes?

7. Do you use silence as a refuge or punishment while expecting others to read your mind?

8. Have you defined your needs in the relationship and openly discussed them with the others involved?

9. Can you be flexible in matters of what you want in a situation or what you desire in the relationship?

10. Can you accept others as they are?

11. How do fights, arguments and controversy affect the unity of a relationship?

12. Are you honest or self-deceived by your own thoughts and actions in the relationship?

13. How does stubbornness affect your relationship and it's unity?

14. How healthy are your current relationships?

15. What action can you take to change your feelings about something or someone?

16. In your current relationships, what can you do personally to promote more unity?

dalin · Senior Member

the sets of questions posted here can be useful in learning about this tradition.

-- Edited by dalin at 20:22, 2006-11-09

dalin · Senior Member

In the Twelve Steps of NA we learn to apply principles to better our lives. Moved by the miracle of personal recovery, we reach out to share that miracle with others. This is the essence of being of service in NA. In supporting our unity, we first apply principles to guide our own behavior. As groups, we use the same principles for guidance. That guidance creates a sense of unity that strengthens our ability to reach out to others, enhancing our common welfare. Some of the principles that seem particularly important to unity include surrender and acceptance, commitment, selflessness, love, and anonymity. As we practice these principles, we will find others who strengthen unity as well. Surrender and acceptance open the door to unity. As our trust in a Higher Power grows, it gets easier to let go of our personal desires and stop fighting for what we want. With an attitude of surrender, working together in a group becomes easier. Tradition One presents a picture of addicts working together worldwide to support each other's recovery. We try to remember this goal in all our actions, as individuals or as groups. If we find that our personal desires or the aims of our group conflict with that ideal, unity asks us to surrender our own desires and accept guidance that enhances the greater good of Narcotics Anonymous. Only by deciding to be part of that whole can we support the unity so essential to our personal survival.

What does surrender mean in the context of Tradition One?

What does acceptance mean in the context of Tradition One?

Commitment is another essential ingredient in unity. Personal commitment to our shared sense of purpose is one of the ties that bind us together. When we know that we belong in NA, and when we make a commitment to stay, we become a part of the greater whole. Our sense of belonging is closely related to our degree of commitment to recovery in NA. As groups, the combined strength of that commitment is a powerful force in serving others. With that strong commitment, we are able to carry the message of hope that will support us all in our recovery. Commitment is a decision supported by our belief in NA as a way of life. Regular meeting attendance is one way in which we live out that belief. Greeting newcomers as they arrive or giving our telephone number to someone who needs help also reflects our decision. Sponsorship, sharing in meetings, setting up chairs before meetings—all these are ways in which we express our commitment. Each member finds a level of service that fits comfortably into a balanced program of recovery.

What does commitment mean to me?

Have I found what I am comfortable doing in the Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous?

What can I do to help the addict who still suffers?

Am I giving back that which was so freely given to me?

In what other ways do I live out the belief that NA is a way of life?

Selflessness is another indispensable element in unity. The principles we learn in the Steps help us let go of our selfishness and lovingly serve the needs of others. To keep our groups healthy, we place the needs of our group ahead of our own personal desires. The same principle applies to our affairs as a group. Setting aside what we may want as a group, we think about the needs of the Fellowship and seek ways to support our common good. Our ability to survive as a Fellowship and to reach others depends on our unity.

What does selflessness mean in the context of Tradition One?

Love is a principle that is expressed in the practice of goodwill toward one another. We contribute to unity in our meetings by exercising loving care in the way we speak to and the way we treat one another. We try to share our experience, strength, and hope in a way, which demonstrates that recovery, is available in Narcotics Anonymous. An atmosphere of love and care in our meetings helps members feel comfortable and safe. The love we show each other attracts newcomers and strengthens us all, fueling our sense of unity and common welfare.

How can I show the love I have for the Fellowship?

What is unconditional love?

Anonymity, the spiritual foundation of our Traditions, supports NA unity as well. When we apply anonymity to the First Tradition, we overlook the differences that would separate us. In the context of unity, anonymity means that the message of recovery is for every addict who wants it. We learn to set aside our prejudices and focus on our common identity as addicts. Each of us has an equal right to and responsibility for the well-being of Narcotics Anonymous. Just as anonymity is the spiritual foundation of our Traditions, the unity spoken of in the First Tradition is the practical foundation on which we may build strong and successful groups. With unity as our practical foundation, we find that our relationship with one another is more important than any issue that may arise to divide us. No problem or disagreement is more significant than our need for each other's support. The fundamental importance of our common welfare strengthens our understanding of all the other Traditions. Many questions can be answered simply by determining how the action we contemplate will affect the unity of the Fellowship. Will it serve to divide us, or will it bring us closer together?

Are we practicing anonymity in our group?

Tradition One

Tahir · Member

dalin wrote:

sometimes we try so hard to get our way,that we dont see the source of our unmanagability is us.

it is strange also how in relationships,when we use the traditions as guidlines,see a couple as unity,and that every thing either brings them together,or disunity tares them apart.

Wow, thanks Dalin. I'm grateful that I read that now. Inspite of having known that fact and having applied it many a times before in my relationship, it's very easy for me to get lost and act out on my defects instead, indulge in "blame and shame games" with my wife...

That is why I need a daily NA involvement. To be reminded of what I already know but seldom practice in times of despair. To hear it again and gain, and to hear it when I need to hear it, and for that, it is my responsibility to reach and connect, as I do on this forum, and the meetings I make almost everyday. It's ok to help others, give what I recieved so freely here, but most importantly, I always keep the focus on myself, not forget the fact that I, first and foremost, come here to save my own a$$, and only if I'm in recovery can I have something to offer others...

So, you have no idea what reading those lines that you posted here has done to me today, at this moment, Dalin. Thank you so much, my friend. I'm glad that I logged in here, this morning, and showed up, to take that which my Higher Power had to tell me today.

Hugs, Love, Light ~ Tahir.

dalin · Senior Member

i learned how to work the traditiona and steps together.

it helped me see how important they were.

http://www.geocities.com/wildbill1979/trad1.html

dalin · Senior Member

it did help me to see how using the writings on this page with an addict the second go round in the steps.

/Traditions give us a chance to get along with others,

A7nd to do so in a responsible way. The traditions have been called why it works by many oldtimers,and like they say if something isn’t practical it wont be spiritual, and if it isn’t spiritual it wont work. When something is spiritual it benefits all that are involved in some beneficial way. Every addict is god wrapped in different skin.

1) What people in the fellowship do you resent and how can you work on accepting them as God in other skin.

2)Do you realize that everyone hit their bottom and that we are all equal in anonymity removing judgment.

3)What does common welfare mean to you, and where is this information coming from.

4)What does unity mean to you? Can you use this same principle in everyday life?

5)how can you commit to using surrender,acceptance,selflessness,love,and anonymity in all areas of your life?

6)In this fellowship we learn to trust others. How have you allowing yourself to be vulnerable and allow other people the chance to meet you spiritually?

7)Is your inventory taken more than the inventories of the group,your mate or lover,people in

traffic,innocent bystanders etc

8)Do I treat all members as children of God consistently.

9)Do I practice this tradition at work,home,in traffic,and as a general principal, or only to get my ego fed.

10)When common welfare doesn’t agree with my decisions, how can I use spiritual principals rather than engauge in brain freeze?Can I slow down to the serenity prayer before reacting?

11)How did step one filter out your idea of self sufficiency?

12)How does this tradition turn you on to the we part of the fellowship?

-- Edited by dalin at 20:28, 2006-11-09

Tahir · Member

These are awesome questions. Some honest soul searching stuff... Thanks.

dalin · Senior Member

glad you liked them.

they helped me alot

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