Moving on to Phase Three

Having identified the source of our problem in phase two and cultivated a daily practice over long periods of time, we have now arrived at a level where the solution becomes more experiential for us each day. Having practiced our spiritual principles of recovery, we now know that the spiritual foundation of our recovery is to put principles before individual personalities. This is the spiritual foundation of the 12-step recovery groups. Now that we have spent considerable time establishing a strong foundation apart from our most fundamental addictions and attachments, and have gained some freedom from these problems, we can venture into other practices to supplement our recovery. In phase three, we no longer live in the problem but rather in the solution.

As recovering addicts, we may tend to gravitate toward some of the more intense writings in order to increase our understanding of spiritual truth. Still, nothing can replace the actual work that has to be done in the early phases of recovery and which will always serve as the foundation of our spiritual path. Reading these sacred texts over and over will not help the stubborn addict who refuses to take action and seek out help from other addicts or alcoholics. It is in our humility that we have first learned to practice spirituality and not through our “elevated” intellectual stance. It is in the taking action and living of the experience of spiritual truth which makes the greatest personal impression in our lives and becomes the cornerstone from which our future advancements will be made.

Regardless of the phase of our recovery, we must always recognize that nobody needs to be a literary expert about the many spiritual writings or teachers in order to be truly spiritual. Simply knowing that there is the possibility for a better life may be enough to inspire us to improve ourselves and begin our spiritual life. We may have already begun to cultivate an experience which is similar to the experience of these teachers and authors of these great books regardless of our intellectual knowledge. It is not necessary to read every book and visit every teacher in order to achieve a truly spiritual life.

Through the practices of prayer, contemplation and meditation, we may develop a relationship with a Higher Power that transcends the many differences of religions or teachings and which recognizes that all truth comes from the same ultimate Source. Regardless under what name, the fundamental spiritual intention is the same.

In phase three recovery, we have learned that it doesn’t matter which drug or addictive behavior we had been controlled by because another problem was always waiting beneath the surface anyway. Similarly, it doesn’t matter which form of spiritual truth we may pursue as long as it works for us. Every addiction is merely another means to keeping us separate from our Higher Power and this separation is at the heart of the addiction’s structure. With courage, willingness and love, we learn to overcome the obstacles that our addiction places in front of us and to move ahead toward a more spiritual vision of the world around us. This opens our heart to the higher levels of spiritual power which are now available to us through perseverance and intention.

Anything is possible for us in the spiritual life and, with devotion and perseverance; we discover that the road is open to us just like it has been for many others throughout history. We are all part of the totality of the universe and our very existence is the validation that an experience of this totality is also possible for us. All we need to do is make a conscious decision to begin and the road will open up ahead of us in its infinite potential.