shydawg
01-09-2009, 03:00 AM
A Discussion About The 12 Traditions of NA
In the Basic Text essay on the 12 Traditions Chapter 6, it states that "personal recovery depends on NA unity, and that unity depends on how well we follow our Traditions." This is os important for all of us to know and absorb into our very beings that this statement has been added to the Traditions reading cards that are read (hopefully) at every NA meeting. This is a fact that those of us who are really sincere about our recovery can never forget.
From the very first Tradition right through the 12th, what is the message that we are being given? What is it that we individual members, MUST do (yes, there are many musts in NA in spite of what you have erroneously been told) in order to insure our recovery?
Well, the whole thing actually begins with our 12th Tradition and the spiritual principle of Anonymity because we are told that "Anonymity is the Spiritual foundation of ALL our Traditions." Next we realize that we must even (always) put "principles before personalities." That means especially our own personalities folks, not just others.
The language of the Traditions is really strong and final. It allows for no slack at all. There are no loopholes-always, every, never, ever, forever, are key words in our Traditions. The 12 Traditions are NOT NEGOTIABLE. It is really amazing to me that the majority of our members are either ignorant of, or indifferent to, our Traditions, after all, they keep our fellowship "alive and free."
Right in the First Tradition we find out that we must put our selfish interests aside and concentrate on our "common welfare", because our very own "personal recovery" depends upon it. Next we see that we must lead be example and in humility, no influence or control allowed. Our leadership must be based on moral and spiritual living so that we may attract those that want what we have without any need for promotion.
Anonymity and unity still rule as equality is the key in membership. No addict is excluded for any reason. In granting autonomy tp all groups we ensure that the greatest number of venues, topics, and possibilities can exist so all different kinds or addicts can find it possible to recover as long as it isn't at the expense of another group or NA.
Focus, focus, focus, we are about one thing and one thing only! The recovery from the disease of addiction, all else is NONE OF OUR BUSINESS. This is so, so important that it is explored from all possible angles in Tradition 6 thru 10.
Our non-affiliation with related facilities and outside enterprises like other fellowships, treatment centers, clubhouses, churches, etc. is paramount. The possible dilution of our message is totally unacceptable. We must be fully self-supporting so we owe nothing to no one, our freedom depends on this.
Our service structure may employ special workers (who may or may not be addicts) and that structure is made up of service boards and committees, but none of these has the power to dictate, censor, or rule the NA group. We (NA) created them only to serve the fellowship, but they are not really a part of NA as a whole.
We have no opinion on outside issues and everything other than recovery from addiction is an outside issue. As effective promoters, as we all can be, that stuff just does not work around here. The only ones to stay are those who really want to change their lives because their old lives were unmanageable. The only thing that really works is attraction. If I am living in a moral and spiritual manner this will be easily apparent to whomever is really watching. They will automatically be attracted. We get this program by example, not by direction.
In the end (or beginning), as we become more and more capable of placing spiritual principles before petty personality issues in our daily lives, we become more effective channels for God's love. There is no better guarantee for recovery than working with another addict. This whole thing is about surrender and service people, isn't it time we got to it?
Â*
InÂ*LovingÂ*ServiceÂ*
In the Basic Text essay on the 12 Traditions Chapter 6, it states that "personal recovery depends on NA unity, and that unity depends on how well we follow our Traditions." This is os important for all of us to know and absorb into our very beings that this statement has been added to the Traditions reading cards that are read (hopefully) at every NA meeting. This is a fact that those of us who are really sincere about our recovery can never forget.
From the very first Tradition right through the 12th, what is the message that we are being given? What is it that we individual members, MUST do (yes, there are many musts in NA in spite of what you have erroneously been told) in order to insure our recovery?
Well, the whole thing actually begins with our 12th Tradition and the spiritual principle of Anonymity because we are told that "Anonymity is the Spiritual foundation of ALL our Traditions." Next we realize that we must even (always) put "principles before personalities." That means especially our own personalities folks, not just others.
The language of the Traditions is really strong and final. It allows for no slack at all. There are no loopholes-always, every, never, ever, forever, are key words in our Traditions. The 12 Traditions are NOT NEGOTIABLE. It is really amazing to me that the majority of our members are either ignorant of, or indifferent to, our Traditions, after all, they keep our fellowship "alive and free."
Right in the First Tradition we find out that we must put our selfish interests aside and concentrate on our "common welfare", because our very own "personal recovery" depends upon it. Next we see that we must lead be example and in humility, no influence or control allowed. Our leadership must be based on moral and spiritual living so that we may attract those that want what we have without any need for promotion.
Anonymity and unity still rule as equality is the key in membership. No addict is excluded for any reason. In granting autonomy tp all groups we ensure that the greatest number of venues, topics, and possibilities can exist so all different kinds or addicts can find it possible to recover as long as it isn't at the expense of another group or NA.
Focus, focus, focus, we are about one thing and one thing only! The recovery from the disease of addiction, all else is NONE OF OUR BUSINESS. This is so, so important that it is explored from all possible angles in Tradition 6 thru 10.
Our non-affiliation with related facilities and outside enterprises like other fellowships, treatment centers, clubhouses, churches, etc. is paramount. The possible dilution of our message is totally unacceptable. We must be fully self-supporting so we owe nothing to no one, our freedom depends on this.
Our service structure may employ special workers (who may or may not be addicts) and that structure is made up of service boards and committees, but none of these has the power to dictate, censor, or rule the NA group. We (NA) created them only to serve the fellowship, but they are not really a part of NA as a whole.
We have no opinion on outside issues and everything other than recovery from addiction is an outside issue. As effective promoters, as we all can be, that stuff just does not work around here. The only ones to stay are those who really want to change their lives because their old lives were unmanageable. The only thing that really works is attraction. If I am living in a moral and spiritual manner this will be easily apparent to whomever is really watching. They will automatically be attracted. We get this program by example, not by direction.
In the end (or beginning), as we become more and more capable of placing spiritual principles before petty personality issues in our daily lives, we become more effective channels for God's love. There is no better guarantee for recovery than working with another addict. This whole thing is about surrender and service people, isn't it time we got to it?
Â*
InÂ*LovingÂ*ServiceÂ*