Grey Book Reflection
Gradually, as we become more and more God-centered than self centered, our despair turns to hope.
Gray Book, p. 147 (Chapter Nine, Lines 4-5)
Self-centeredness seems to be at the center of our disease, with self-centered fear at its core. For many of us fear is the chief activator of all defects, and it disguises itself in many forms. From it stems all forms and manifestations of the disease.
Our whole life in active addiction was based in fear, and the results were always negative and painful, for us and others. Our Third Step treats the self-centeredness, which is the third Spiritual fold of our disease. A Spiritual problem requires a Spiritual Solution.
As we work the Program and Steps of Narcotics Anonymous our Spirits Awaken. We become more Aware of our surroundings and the World around us. We find that we're not the center of the universe, and our actions affect others, and the World around us.
Our hopelessness turns to Hopefulness, we are no longer numb from the drugs. We start to feel everything, that's the good news and the bad news. Our Awareness opens the door to a Power Greater Than Ourselves, that can Help us in our Recovery.
We become part of a Whole; the "I" becomes "WE", and it's the end of our isolation. We travel this Journey with others side by side. The God Of Our Understanding becomes our navigator; we're no longer alone.
We have Surrendered to the disease, now we Surrender to Narcotics Anonymous and its Principles. One of our predecessors said, Spirituality is the right Relationship with Reality. As we continue being more God-centered, we become less self-centered.
Our Spiritual Awakening becomes progressive. We Practice these Principles in all our affairs, in our everyday activities, with all people.
We will get out of self by working with others, our Rewards will be of a Spiritual Nature.