Grey Book Reflection
On the practical level, adjustment occurs because what is appropriate to one phase of our growth may not fit another.
Gray Book, p. 157 (Chapter Ten, Lines 6-7)
Although the Spiritual Truths of our Program doesn't change, the boundaries of Truths do. When we first come to Narcotics Anonymous, our obvious problem is the drugs. Once we Surrender to the disease and stop using, we find that we have to Surrender to the Spiritual Principles of the Program.
After taking the First Step, we learned that the drugs were just a symptom of the disease. We find that Abstinence although necessary, is not enough.
Another adjustment to the Truth had to be made. We were told that we weren't addicts because we used drugs, we used drugs because we're addicts. It wasn't the drugs or the behaviors that made us addicts, it was the disease of addiction.
We were told by our Sponsors that the only thing we had to change, was everything. When it was appropriate just to stay Clean and not use, the Truth also expanded to treating the disease with Spiritual Principles. After taking the Steps, we now had to Live them.
After working the Steps and focusing on ourselves, we had to start to get out of ourselves by Helping others. Our Basic Text says that, "Everything we know is subject to revision, especially what we know about the truth. " Spiritual complacency can lead to Spiritual relapse, and that could lead to physical relapse. In Narcotics Anonymous, if we're not Growing, we're going.
Our Spiritual Awakening has to remain Progressive, if we are to continue on this Spiritual Journey.
We will continue making the adjustments for our Spiritual Growth. We will remain Open for Change.