We learn to trust our senses and respect our feelings.
Living Purely, Chapter 5, “Conscious Contact”
The concept of honesty carries a burden of its own. It brings to mind virtue and morality, ideas that while some members welcome them, generally in NA we don't deal with them. Another type of honor refers to expressions of admiration or respect. In some areas of life, it is even accompanied by awards and ceremonies. But honor does not need broad, general, pompous, public recognition. In fact, we will see that the practice of honor as a spiritual principle is often rather silent. Although many of us are familiar with the spectacle, we intuitively know that for honor to serve a spiritual purpose, we might do better to limit the flamboyance and draw on a little humility.
Thinking about what it means to honor our feelings and experience gives the concept of honor new meaning and utility as a spiritual tool. We practice honesty in the classic, subtle NA way, when we approach recovery with a healthy dose of respect and humility. At least one member has to say, "This kind of honor is soul balm to me." For many, it begins with the recognition that those before us had something important in their hands. When we make an honest effort with the Steps, NA literature, and other members, it is a choice to put aside the thought that we can do it on our own. We honor the process and path blazed by those who came before us, reading a book or two of our own, consulting with supportive people and friends in recovery, and diving into recovery to find relief.
The same process that gives us relief also allows us to access emotions in a new way. We may not be comfortable with it, but it is worth it. We honor our emotions by experiencing the full range of human emotions. We resist the urge to push away what is unpleasant or to be perpetually "fine" thereby depriving ourselves of the benefits of sharing what weighs on us. Because we have honored our recovery process, we know who we are and can be real.
I will practice honesty in the NA way, by participating in the recovery process, getting in touch with how I feel, and sharing my feelings and experiences with someone else.
