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“Through active listening, we hear things that work for us.” Basic Text, page 102
Many of us arrived in Narcotics Anonymous (NA) with poor listening skills. However, to fully benefit from the therapeutic value of one addict helping another, we must learn to listen actively. Active listening is a crucial skill in recovery, enabling us to engage deeply with others and absorb the wisdom shared within the NA community.
Active listening involves fully concentrating on what the speaker is sharing during meetings or conversations, setting aside our own thoughts and opinions until the speaker has finished. This process allows us to sort through what we’ve heard and decide which ideas resonate with us and which we want to explore further.
In meetings, active listening means paying full attention to the speaker. It involves focusing on their words, tone, and body language without letting our minds wander. This attentiveness helps us understand the speaker’s message and gain insights that can aid our own recovery.
After the meeting, we can reflect on what we’ve heard. This reflection helps us identify the ideas and experiences that resonate with us and consider how they might apply to our own recovery journey. By actively engaging with the shared experiences of others, we enhance our understanding and growth.
Active listening is especially important in sponsorship. When newcomers talk about significant events in their lives, these events may seem trivial to us but are often monumental to them. By listening actively, we empathize with their feelings and gain a better understanding of their perspective. This empathy allows us to offer more relevant and supportive advice.
Through active listening, we build trust with our sponsees. They feel heard and understood, which strengthens the sponsor-sponsee relationship and fosters an environment of mutual respect and support.
Active listening helps us engage more deeply with our recovery. By fully receiving and processing the information shared in meetings and conversations, we become more involved in our recovery journey and the recovery journeys of others.
Practicing active listening improves our communication skills. We become better at understanding others and expressing ourselves clearly. This improvement enhances our relationships within the NA community and beyond.
Active listening contributes to personal growth by exposing us to diverse perspectives and experiences. This exposure broadens our understanding and helps us develop empathy, patience, and wisdom.
Just for today: I will strive to be an active listener. I will practice active listening when others share and when I share with others.
Active listening is a skill that enhances our recovery and personal development. By committing to practice active listening, we open ourselves to the full spectrum of support, wisdom, and love available within the NA community. This commitment helps us build deeper connections, gain valuable insights, and grow as individuals in recovery.
Active listening is an ongoing practice. We may not get it perfect every time, but with consistent effort, we can improve our listening skills. This improvement will significantly benefit our recovery journey and our interactions with others.