Higher Power

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This article is about an element of Alcoholics Anonymous. For the album by Big Audio Dynamite see Higher Power. For the seaQuest DSV episode, see "Higher Power (seaQuest DSV episode)".

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Higher Power is a term coined in Alcoholics Anonymous, and used in other twelve-step programs, also sometimes referred to as a power greater than ourselves. It is suggested that members in such programs identify a power greater than themselves for spiritual strength, courage, confidence, and support. A Higher Power can be anything or anyone, dead or alive, that the member feels is adequate – the sky, the Sun, the ocean, Nature, consciousness, existential freedom, their twelve-step group, God, science, Buddha Nature, gravity – it simply should be something "greater" than themselves, which is loving and caring.^[1]

These phrases are used in Alcoholics Anonymous, the "Big Book", used in Alcoholics Anonymous groups, in the following ways.

• Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.^[2]
• The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. Except in a few cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a defense. His defense must come from a Higher Power.^[3]
• Follow the dictates of a Higher Power and you will presently live in a new and wonderful world, no matter what your present circumstances!^[4]

[edit] See also

• Addiction recovery groups
• List of twelve-step groups
• Self-help groups for mental health
• Twelve-step program

[edit] References