Different ways of recovering- we are all individuals

I personally use refuge recovery/recovery dharma as my program which uses buddhism’s tennant towards liberation, but i also find tons of insight into myself and my addiction through the AA people i talk to.

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It is absolutely not religious :slight_smile: It does mention about believing in something greater than ourselves than can restore us to sanity (but u can choose what u want to believe in). In the beginning for me, my HP (higher power) was doing the next right thing, the meetings, nature. Overtime, I have developed my own concept of a Higher Power that’s personal to me. It’s a combination of things actually. God, the Aboriginal culture which also involves nature, Crystals, Angel Cards. It’s whatever works for me that helps me to stay clean.

I remember this saying… and I love it!
“Religon are for those who don’t want to go to hell. Spirituality are for those who have been to hell, and don’t want to go back”

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Great post Darren I nearly thought you were talking about me there for a second lol :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes: but seriously I think a lot of people have the wrong idea about AA its not religious ,I also don’t believe in god but I do have a higher power

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It’s a spiritual program not religious one

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I wholeheartedly can & do identify with your share. Thanks for being here & making my day!

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It’s spiritual, give it a try, it works :grinning:

Above a 6/10 you’re mine :tipping_hand_woman:

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Thank you, that is really helpful. I think I have been a bit scared to go due to some misconceptions.

Thank you from a solid 5/10 :rofl:

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That’s fine by me :rofl::laughing:

Yep you should definitely try it, it works :+1:

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I was scared to go to AA. But I went. Interesting one of the first things a fella there said was AA is the most selfish program in the world. There are no rules. You don’t have to do anything. You may not be ready for all of it. It doesn’t matter. You are welcome. Keep coming back. Do what you can.

I am struggling with granting my higher power the care of my will, or however it is worded. I am new, apologies if I have misrepresented this step.

But step 1. Acknowledge you are powerless over alcohol. And step 2. Admit that a higher power can bring you back to sanity. (Well I think I really admitted that I couldn’t do it, so someone or something. Bloody better or I am screwed.) Have hit home fairly well already.

Just do it your way, whatever way that is. You only fail when you stop trying.

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Nope. Have a read through this thread might help you out.

Big Book Study, We Agnostic Chapter 4

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Yes, do not listen to anyone who says itherwise. The Supreme Court decided so. Anyone who says it is not, is not telling the truth. If you are an atheist, you will have to pretend to believe in all sorts of stuff that you will find hard to stomach. If you are not, ore even not sure,it is a fundamentalist Christian sect that has worked wonders for many. I fully support and respect the right for others to believe in anything they want, as long as it does not harm others, but that is a huge leap from fully supporting the belief. I don’t. I think it is mostly unscientific nonsense. There are tons of great sober people there, but I have a core belief system that differs and when I hang around occasionally with those in 12 step recovery. I never talk about how I have maintained my decision to make healthy choices. For a few months now. It only leads to disagreements. You are welcome to contact me, or chat privately. I am not agnostic. I am a stone cold atheist.
Stephen

3 posts were merged into an existing topic: Derailment void / Off topic 2021 to present

As many others have said, it is not. That may be your understanding, but you are incorrect. Spiritual, yes. But religion implies a certain sect and practice. My own fellowship is made up of Christians, Buddhists, Wiccans, agnostics, atheists, and more. We don’t talk religion, as that’s personal business. We all have different faiths and even none, and all benefit from each other’s perspectives on recovery.

It’s fine if 12 step programs don’t sit right with you. But being actively discouraging of others is a bad look not in the spirit of recovery.

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:joy::joy::joy:

I tried recovery dharma meetings after a couple years sober but the one nearest me didn’t have the kind of vibe I was hoping for. And unlike AA not very many around so no other options. To be fair it was Covid and they were all nice. Just not quite for me.

I really do like Buddhist philosophy though. Having got out of the habit of drinking and learning to be sober in situations that alcohol was a big part of, my continued sobriety journey has been more a mental health thing. The principles of acceptance, compassion, equanimity really speak to me. I know these also feature pretty heavily in recovery generally, not just AA. But another thing about Buddhism I like (and sometimes find difficult, philosophically) is the idea that we have what we need within us, while recognising the interconnectedness of everything.

My main sobriety tools have been this forum, walking, yoga, meditation and a lot of introspection. Also medication, therapy and this forum for mental health (not the forum’s primary purpose I know, but it’s definitely helped me!).

I love getting the benefit of other people’s approaches to sobriety. And equally hope that occasionally mine is helpful for others :blush::hugs:

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I am sorry this has been your experience. The common desire of recovery period, however one decides will work for them, interests me. I am a non religious person, who highly respects other addicts who have found ways to maintain abstinence. I am also very interested in how they are reaching goals in recovery because I use MANY different tools in my recovery. 12 steps would not “fix” me, I am a multi layer individual who needs multi tooled recovery.

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I was not trying to start a debate at all with my question… I respect other peoples beliefs or faith. That is simply not for me and I have just had a hard time getting to the book personally. Again, I was not trying to start a debate.

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It’s OK, it’s something people often have strong views about and it comes up on the forum every now and then :hugs:

I know you weren’t, don’t worry :blush:

Whenever this question gets asked there are different camps, it’s a great question and leads to healthy debate.

Any questions you have got please ask them :v::grinning:

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Oh, you’re good. No offense taken.

The AA book is a hard one for the nonreligious. That included me as an agnostic and scientist.

The word “god” gets thrown around a lot in it only for lack of a better word at the time it was written. But AA was novel even at the time it started in that it tried very hard to set aside any prescribed religion or belief.

Still, that word can put people off which is a shame. But there’s a whole wide world of programs and insights for recovery today. We just try 'em on until one sticks!

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