Many years ago, before the creation of the Basic Text, recovering addicts learned about Traditions partly from personal experience while doing service and partly from their predecessors. At some point NA members developed a Traditions Worksheets for all 12 Traditions similar to the ones developed for the 12 Steps (scroll down to see a sample below). These were used with such great results that eventually a few regions developed their own workbooks to help educate the trusted servants serving within their regions. Ultimately, though, they have been used as inspiration for the creation of the Traditions Workbook that has been presented to the fellowship for review.
PLEASE NOTE: THE WORKSHEET BELOW IS NOT NA APPROVED AND CANNOT BE USED IN A GROUP SETTING.
WORKSHEET ON TRADITION ONE
Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends on NA unity.
“The primary purpose of an NA group is to carry the message of recovery to the addict who still stuffers. The group provides each member with the opportunity to share and to hear the experience of other addicts who are learning to live a better way of life without the use of drugs. The group is the primary vehicle by which our message is carried. It provides a setting in which a newcomer can identify with recovering addicts and find an atmosphere of recovery.” -- FROM THE GUIDE TO LOCAL SERVICE IN NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
“NA groups – not NA meetings – are the foundation of the NA service structure. Together, the NA groups are responsible for making service decisions that directly affect them and what they do in their meetings as well as those that fundamentally affect the identity of Narcotics Anonymous" -- FROM THE GUIDE TO LOCAL SERVICE IN NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
PRACTICING THE PRINCIPLES OF OUR TRADITIONS: TRADITION ONE
The program of Narcotics Anonymous is based on the spiritual principles embodied in the Twelve Traditions. Working the Steps forms the basis of our personal recovery and leads to a spiritual awakening. Part of our spiritual awakening may involve being of service to our fellowship. It is through our service to Narcotics Anonymous that we begin to understand the spiritual concepts and principles of our Traditions.
Gradually over time we learn that we can use the Traditions in our everyday lives and in our relationships. The Traditions have much to teach us about simply getting along with one another. When we practice the principles of our Traditions in dealing with all people, our lives become more manageable.
This pamphlet represents the collective experience of a group of addicts trying to "practice these principles in all our affairs." We would like to share our experience with you.
Our personal recovery begins with an admission that we can no longer make it on our own . We come to recognize that our survival now depends on being part of a fellowship of recovering addicts. We begin to see how each of us is part of a greater whole, both in and outside the fellowship. The focus of our lives shifts from "me" and "mine " to "us" and "ours". As we experience sharing and caring for other people, our wall of isolation and false self-sufficiency crumbles. We find strength, hope and' fulfillment in acknowledging our interdependence.
Growing spiritually, we no longer base our actions on purely selfish motives. Our choices reflect the greater interest we take in the welfare of those around us.
Before answering the questions below, please read the chapter in THE BASIC TEXT for the first tradition. Then read the chapter in IT WORKS HOW & WHY on the first tradition. Afterwards, please write answers to the following questions to share with your sponsor/sponsee family at your next gathering:
1. What is unity to you? Give an example of how your homegroup demonstrates unity?
2. How is unity the practical foundation of our traditions?
3. Should we place "our common welfare" before our personal welfare? If you believe we should, give examples of why and when?
4. What are some of the common causes of disunity?
5. "Unity is the spirit that joins members around the world in a spiritual fellowship that has the power to change lives." - It Works How & Why, Tradition One, p.97.
How has the spirit of NA unity changed lives for you, your homegroup or the meetings you are attending?
6. The spiritual principles of this tradition are acceptance, surrender, and honesty. How do these principles manifest in your home group and in your home area?
7. "Some of the principles that seem particularly important to unity include surrender, acceptance, commitment, selflessness, love, and anonymity. As we practice these principles, we will find others that strengthen unity as well." -It Works How &Why, Tradition One, p.94-95.
Please explain how any of these principles, or others you have practiced, have helped to strengthen the unity of your recovery relationships or in your home group?
8. What are some of the benefits we receive from living this tradition and its principles in our relationships and in our personal lives?
9. Give examples of how we can we apply and practice the spiritual lessons of common welfare, unity, compromise, teamwork, settling disagreement and conflict in our home groups?
10. Give examples of how we can we apply and practice the spiritual lessons of common welfare, unity, compromise, teamwork, settling disagreement and conflict in our relationships and outside the fellowship?
WORKSHEET ON TRADITION TWO
On a separate page, please look up the definition of the following terms: ultimate, authority, conscience, leaders, and governing.
1 . What does this tradition mean to you?
2. What does this tradition mean to NA?
3. How does the Higher Power we found when we began
working Step 3 relate to this tradition?
4. What is "Group Conscience"? How can it be measured?
5 . Is "Group Conscience" always right?
6 . What is a trusted servant? How do they serve? Who do
they serve?
7. What does NA mean by "we do not govern"?
8. The spiritual principles of this tradition are: surrender, faith, humility, open-mindedness, integrity, and anonymity. Look up and write the definition from the dictionary.
9. The opening line in Tradition Two of the Basic Text it says: "In Narcotics Anonymous, we are concerned with protecting ourselves from ourselves. Why do you think we need to be concerned with protecting ourselves from ourselves?
10. Why do we rely on a "Group Conscience" in Narcotics Anonymous rather than the most experienced individuals or the personal opinions of the members with the most clean time?
11. How can we recognize the operation of true spiritual principles in our group conscience?
12. What does the basic text say about leadership in NA?
13. What is the “Atmosphere of Recovery” in NA?
14. What are some of the things that can destroy a group?
15. What must we remember about our trusted servants?
16. How can we apply and practice the spiritual lessons of:
- "leadership by example"
- 'acting like a servant'
- 'being governed by a loving God as expressed in our group conscience'?
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