Step 2 of Narcotics Anonymous
By Terry
As we
continue our journey to Step 2, we have already had a glimpse of a Higher
Power working in our lives, through the program of Narcotics Anonymous,
and through the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions. I came to understand that my
personal beliefs about my Higher Power were unique and personal, which was
the way it was meant to be. My Higher Power is the God of my
understanding. This isn’t a religious program; it is a spiritual program
set up in a way that everyone with his or her diverse beliefs can
utilize. My Higher Power only wants the best for me. Now through the
active process of Step 2, I was competent to release the binding grips of
fear and insecurity that hindered my forward progress.
Our belief
in God may possibly be different from others; however, the ultimate
reality is that help is accessible to those who seek out. As we surrender
and become open and eager for change to occur, our Higher Power, and our
personal understanding of God will emerge and bring us out of our
insanity, releasing us from the grips of fear. NA has countless walks of
life, various people with diverse religious backgrounds, in addition to
atheists’ and agnostics. So don’t be deterred that NA has a specific
group understanding of God because that isn’t the case. Your belief in a
Higher Power can be private, and it should be. Our members don’t have to
choose among our religion, or our search for recovery because we can have
either. Always know that Narcotics Anonymous is a spiritual program that
uses universal spiritual principles and practices for the foundation of
our recovery. It has been proven, and it unquestionably works, I know
from personal experience. If it wasn’t for NA, I would probably be dead,
and for that I am everlastingly indebted.
When I
completed working Step 1, I was in a state of total powerlessness. I
couldn’t surmount this disease under my own power. I urgently needed a
Higher Power to show me the way. After surrendering my will, I had to
become willing to permit God to work His miracles in my life. I had
undergone a 100% change in all aspects of my life. No longer did I have
to rely on my own power to overcome the obstacles that recovery handed
me. I began to “Let Go and Let God” take charge of my life. As I noticed
and observed all of the miracles of recovery in others and in myself, my
faith matured, my hope increased, and the knowledge essential to stay
clean and serene was revealed.
In Step 2,
we come to accept as true that God can convert us into spiritual beings,
devoid of all apprehension, misery, and failure. Increasing spiritual
expansion leads to enhanced awareness and clarification in our journey.
The more we seek righteousness and clearness of mind, the greater our
personal improvement. The routes to victory are countless with the help
of our Higher Power showing us the way. Perplexity no longer torments us
as we take each step decisively forward. The more I became God-centered,
the more my life reflected positive growth. Once I began seeking the
knowledge to reside in accordance with God’s Will, the greater my
development became.
When God
entered my life, I discovered that acceptance was a trait that brought me
peace of mind. I was able to accept the life I lived in the past, the
life I was living, and the endless opportunities of the life that awaits.
My reachable horizons expanded, allowing me to achieve goals that were not
obtainable in my active addiction. Through patience and dedication, I
Took a step resolutely forward, always seeking help and guidance from my
ever-present Higher Power. When I faced life’s challenges and
difficulties, I always turned to God for the strength and energy that I
needed to overcome the perils of daily life. Never once has God given me
too much to handle. My life has never been the same.
Optimistic
anticipation increased during the 2nd Step as I came to believe
that this power greater than myself could direct me towards positive
growth. Greater awareness and understanding filled my vision through
becoming more God-centered, and less self-centered. Through time, I came
to realize that God has always been with me. The caring, loving Hand of
God came back into my life because I let Him in. I came to believe that
only through God would I become whole again. From that point on, I let go
of my shortcomings, my fears, and all of my negative traits. True
recovery started emerging from the depths of my spirit. I started to
transform into a spiritual being, not a person of sin.
I
discovered through personal experience and observation that by talking
about God, and through personal reflection, I was able to learn more about
this Higher Power. In the rooms of Narcotics Anonymous, I found hope,
inspiration and understanding of this divine Essence that I had put my
trust in. Also, after working Step2, I learned that false pride and
arrogance would only cause destruction and chaos. My ego couldn’t stand
in the way if I was to continue moving forward in my recovery.
For us to
come to believe that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to
sanity, we are equipped with tools that can enhance our understanding of
God, and help us to gain a better relationship with our loving Higher
Power. One tool is the process of meditation. Meditation is used to
expand our awareness of the spiritual realm, and all that it entails. We
come into connection with our inner being, we re-align ourselves with
truth, we get to explore the life of the spirit, which is, in itself,
life. Through mediation, we can envision our direction, and live out the
possible outcomes before any action is made. We still our minds,
releasing all negative thought patterns, and we enter the spiritual world,
devoid of insanity and hindrances.
In the
meditation process, we establish conscious contact with God as we allow
His Will to flow into our essence. Our new, improved conscious can
initiate positive influence to drive us towards personal growth and
ongoing recovery. For me, I sit down and relax, stilling my mind, while
releasing all stress. I notice the marvelous wonders on nature, and all
living things as Divine in essence. My mind becomes free, and I come into
contact with God. Answers are revealed.
Strength and energy fill me as I am shown the way. There becomes no
question as to which direction I should take. The knowledge of God’s Will
is revealed. Peace of mind and assurance envelope me, and all is well.
It is reassuring to know that whatever happens on my journey in recovery,
good will prevail. A greater understanding of myself, of God, and of life
will result from always seeking God’s Will, and the power to carry it out.
God’s
harmony is without fault, refusing thoughts and behaviors not in agreement
with His excellence. I am now free to strive towards my goals in
confidence and trust that my labors will now be in vain. Resentments,
guilt, shame, dishonor, regret, hopelessness, fear, weakness, doubt,
negativity and confusion removes itself from our being as we constantly
maintain constant contact with our Higher Power. The Spiritual Principles
of NA replaces the fear we abide in, and gives us the courage to move
onward in our recovery, uninhibited by negative qualities that plagued us
in our active addiction. Spiritual principles are used in our personal
growth. Such principles as honesty, acceptance, patience, surrender,
love, faith, courage, strength, open-mindedness and willingness can be
used to assist us in our forward growth. Commitment and devotion to move
onward in our recovery is necessary for continuous growth to occur.
Success
awaits us as we use our newfound strength and positive direction by
maintaining conscious contact with God, by allowing God’s love to
penetrate our perimeters, and by being open and willing to follow in the
direction that God leads us. With God’s direction, our drive can propel
us towards success. Life is more fulfilling and joyous because we are now
able to trust God with the things that we have no control over. So let
our journey commence amidst the spiritual realm, and let us find meaning,
purpose, and truth as we follow in the direction that God leads us.
Without spiritual growth, progressive recovery would be impossible. Good
luck. I hope that all of you come to believe that a power greater that
yourself can restore you to sanity. Thank you for allowing me to be of
service. My name is Terry, and I am an addict.
If you have any questions on
recovery, or the N.A. program, then you can contact
me by
Clicking Here. Thank you for allowing me to be of service. My name is Terry, and I am
an addict.
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