Aloha Atheos I've had the HP confusions also and then what I've heard that makes it simple is "whatever leads you to Good  Orderly  Direction...GOD.  Everyone has their own level of faith and early in recovery when I thought Al-Anon might actually be a religion or a cult, they use to say at the start of the meetings "We are not a religion but if you practice these steps religiously..."  I haven't failed to learn and grow in the program by listening deeply and open mindedly and practicing the steps in all my affairs.  Anybody can make anything out to be a god...Alcoholics do it with alcohol.   ((((hugs))))

*grin* likemyheart -- that "non-spiritual atheists" thread was started by me months ago when I was first struggling with this!

I'm happy to be reminded how far I have come since then, and Linbaba's story is always worth a re-read, especially because that applies so much to how I will now be working step three with my higher power.

My old post came from a place of doubt and despair, and this one comes from a place of excitement and curiosity -- if Al-Anon has already brought me that far without the steps, I can't wait to see what happens now that I have a higher power to work the steps with!

I am not Christian. I was however raised in a Baptist church, and I know all the bible passages and remember all the songs and prayers. I strayed from it when I was 18, and began getting into wicca, which to me then felt very freeing and spiritual. Then I met some people that abused me as an adult with manipulations and control that were wiccan and I turned away from that as well. For me, animals, earth, wind, the spirit in things/people/animals/earth etc, are all my HP. And last night I reached out to HP because I felt out of control and I actually felt enveloped in this warmth that made my heart settle down. I guess if I were to label it, its more of a native American way of thinking about an HP. There are no churches or groups I can find that believe as I do, so I am keeping it with me, and going to my alanon meetings where if I work my spiritual program religiously, I can live with my active alcoholic one day at a time.

Hi Atheos. Buffy is one of my favorite shows too! :) I guess I consider myself agnostic. I don't know if I believe in God or some divine creator, I flip and flop about all that. I certainly do not believe in organized religion. I was against religion for a long time as a result of many negative stories family and friends had with it... I won't go into the details. I've started opening my mind in the last 5-6 years about religion, not sure why or what happened, I guess I just started not letting my parents beliefs be my own or I started just thinking more, thinking all the time.

Anyway, I do kinda believe in something bigger than me. I believe there are forces at play in the universe that are bigger than me. The wind that blows, the smell of rain, the sun, I can't change those things, I can't make the wind stop blowing, so... whatever does....is bigger than me. I think of my higher power as some type of force or power that is bigger than I am...like whatever makes the beauty of nature happen... I know that sounds cheezy but I guess it's what works for me. I also can't touch this force and it's also not real in the sense that I can't call it up and have a chat on the phone.... just like you can't with Buffy. I think using her as your HP is cool. She is definitely an inspirational character. :) Whatever works for you! :)

I love this thread!   and this subject!

 

Ever since I was 3 yrs old and I witnessed kittens and then puppies being born the next year- that was the beginning of where my god came from- nature, animals, love from my mother, the power of expressingfeeling love, Santa Clause and that was the mix until I was nine and added "the Force" to the mix.  As a teenager, I added - "the Universe and beyond" and compassionate highest innate intelligence.  I add all spirit also passed to that fabric, ghosts, angels.  I talk to my grandmother sometimes- ever since I was a kid, not so much anymore but I still believe that anyone can.  "Heaven" is in my heart and mind.  Like santa it is all around me.  I think that "possibilities" is a part of it too - because we have no idea what could happen to us, when we stop being jaded and open up to new realities- at least in program, I learned that I can still surprise myself and life can be joyful if I but grasp for it.  Gratitude helps me too, to manifest more of what I do want and not what I dont.

I define it as a light seed we are all born with, divine love actively loving willing creative energy that enthusiastically and exuberantly forgives us compassionately and exponentially.  It is creation loving itself and being in a state of letting go.  Forgiving with my HP/god daily allows me to adjust easier and cope with life less painfully.  The more I do it consciously- inviting myself to back off (my ego) so that I can allow more of light to fill me up inside by consciously connecting-- the easier it is and the more I get to stay connected.

 

Letting go was imposible for me for a few years here.  I was told, "letting go is the easiest thing in the whole entire world."  -That stuck with me and I worked to accept it and relinquish control and willingly surrender everything I no longer valued in my life and awareness to HP/god.  One moment at a time.  Forgivenss transforms and transmutes all who come into contact with it-- I guess that is the miracle of the program! kcb and working it until ~ you are worth the work and more!  TC of U wtvr that looks like!