What Is The Higher Power?

May 2, 2023

When people enter recovery, they often have a lot of questions. One of the most common is what the higher power is.

The higher power is the idea that there is something bigger than you that is guiding your life. It’s a concept used in many 12 step programs and is an important part of addiction recovery.

It’s not religion

A higher power is anything that you believe is bigger and more powerful than you are, but that doesn’t have to be a god or a goddess. It could be the sun, the moon or even the universe itself.

One of the most popular uses of the word “higher power” is in 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The term is thought to have originated after AA founders read psychologist and philosopher William James’ The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature book.

Unlike religion, which tends to be a strict set of doctrines and rules, a higher power is a guiding force that you can use as a tool to help you stay sober. It can also help you keep your morals and values in check. In the end, it is a power that you can trust and that will not let you down. It can be a friend or a family member or it can be a power that you simply choose to believe in.

It’s not God

The Higher Power is a concept that people have used in 12-step recovery for a long time. It is a term that can mean different things to different people, depending on the context.

It can mean something from nature, such as the sun or moon, the universe, humanity at large or even a specific person that you believe has more power than yourself. It can also be a specific thing that you think will free you from addiction.

The key to remember is that the Higher Power is not necessarily God. However, it does help to identify something that you believe has more power than you do and can be turned over to for guidance and assistance.

It’s not a specific person

A Higher Power is something that you can turn to in your life, something you can talk to or pray to everyday. It could be a God, the universe, humanity at large, or anything that you genuinely believe is bigger or stronger than yourself. It can be the sun and moon, a tree, or even your favorite activity like yoga or running.

The important thing is that you have a specific idea of what your Higher Power is and that it means something to you. Your higher power can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be, and it can change with time as your beliefs evolve. It may even evolve over your lifetime as you learn new things or come to a different understanding of what it is that you’re seeking. For now, you can call upon your higher power in whatever way you choose and trust that it will help free you from your addiction one day at a time.

It’s not a specific place

The Higher Power is not a specific person, place or thing. Rather, it is a concept that can be anything you want it to be – a force of nature, an activity or even the universe itself. In the context of addiction recovery, many people are looking for a stronger power in their lives to help them overcome their disease and get on the road to wellness. Some are lucky enough to have a God who listens to them, while others are looking for an external source of strength that is larger than themselves. The important thing is that they find it. Regardless of which one they choose, their best chance at recovery is going to be the ones that make them feel like they have more power over their own destiny than they currently do.

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