October 3: Spiritual Principle a Day, read by Sabina

Spiritual Principle a Day for October 3, read by Sabina

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October 3

Surrendering to Group Conscience

"How do you know when it’s time to speak up against a decision of the majority? When it’s time to accept a decision and surrender to group conscience?"

—Twelve Concepts for NA Service, Study Materials,

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“Ninth Concept” Once a group or service body makes a decision, we are all supposed to go with the flow, right? But what if the decision goes against our gut, isn’t in harmony with the Traditions, lacks compassion by excluding some members, or puts a Band-Aid on a larger issue? Maybe the decision wasn’t made with all pertinent information available. Was it truly an informed group conscience, or was it more like a popularity contest? What if we know for sure that the content of the decision has been tried before and it failed miserably? What if the group is wrong and we are right?

We have a process, and once that process is complete, to thwart group conscience creates disunity and confusion. Members then have to take sides, or not. Some leave the group or resign from their position instead, telling us “personal recovery depends on NA unity” on the way out.

The Ninth Concept of NA Service is clear that hearing all points of view is essential to developing a group conscience. But it’s up to us as members to determine which perspectives have the most validity. The time to accept and surrender to a decision occurs immediately after our point of view has been heard, and the group elects to stay the course—despite what our gut is telling us.

If we are right and things fall apart later, we can be part of the solution—with humility. Even as we are reminded time and time again that we’re not always right, we must also accept that others are sometimes wrong and there isn’t anything we can do about it.

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Spiritual Principle:

Today I will participate in NA service with as much surrender and acceptance as possible. If need be, I will say to my group, “Well, I hope I’m wrong!” and do my best to mean it.

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© NA World Services

This podcast is not affiliated with Narcotics Anonymous, and is an independent production of the Works of Wisdom

Episode Transcript

(00:03):
Welcome to the Voices of Recovery podcast.
This is your Spiritual Principleof the Day episode featuring a
recovering addict. Hi, my name is Sabina.

(00:24):
My clean date is September 9th, 2000.
You're listening to the Voices of Recovery podcast.
This is the spiritual principle of the day for October 3rd.
Surrendering to group conscience.
How do you know when it's time to speak up against a decision

(00:46):
of the majority? When is it time to accept a
decision and surrender to group conscience?
12 concepts for any service study materials 9th concept once
a group or service body makes a decision, we are all supposed to

(01:07):
go with the flow, right? But what if the decision goes
against our gut, isn't in harmony with the traditions,
lacks compassion by excluding some members, or puts a Band-Aid
on a larger issue? Maybe the decision wasn't made
with all pertinent information available.

(01:29):
Was it truly an informed group conscience, or was it more
likely a popularity contest? What if we know for sure that
the content of the decision has been tried before and it failed
miserably? What if the group is wrong and
we are right? We have a process And once that

(01:51):
process is complete, to thwart group conscience creates
disunity and confusion. Members then have to take sides
or not. Some leave the group or resign
from their position, instead telling us personal recovery
depends on NA unity on the way out.

(02:13):
The 9th concept of NA service isclear that hearing all points of
view is essential to developing a group conscience, but it's up
to us as members to determine which perspectives have the most
starting over. The 9th concept of NA service is

(02:34):
clear that hearing all points ofview is essential to developing
a group conscience, but it's up to us as members to determine
which perspectives have the mostvalidity.
The time to accept and surrenderto a decision occurs immediately
after our point of view has beenheard and the group elects to

(02:57):
stay the course. Despite what our gut is telling
us, if we are right and things fall apart later, we can be part
of the solution with humility. Even as we are reminded time and
time again that we're not alwaysright, we must also accept that
others are sometimes wrong and there isn't anything we can do

(03:18):
about it. Spiritual principle.
Today I will participate in NA service with as much surrender
and acceptance as possible. If need be I will say to my
group, well I hope I'm wrong anddo my best to mean it.

(03:41):
The Voices of Recovery Podcast is an independent production of
The Works of Wisdom. We welcome your questions and
donations via PayPal at [e-mail].
This podcast is an independent production and is not affiliated
with, associated with, authorized by, endorsed by, or
in any way officially connected with Narcotics Anonymous or any

(04:02):
of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
While any literature may be readduring episodes for the purpose
of supporting Recovery, such usedoes not constitute an official
endorsement or representation byNarcotics Anonymous.
In accordance with any tradition, the NA name is not to
be used to endorse or be affiliated with any outside
enterprise, and no such endorsement or affiliation is

(04:23):
implied. Music is by Sage.
Thanks for listening to the Voices of Recovery podcast.