This is the 12th in a series of excerpts from the CoDA Workbook. We are in the process of sending you 1 tradition each week for a total of 12 weeks.

Previous mailings can be found here: https://codependents.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/main/ You may want to enter traditions or tradition # in the search box.

The traditions are the foundation of our program & of our yearly Service Conference.

Please note that all material below this paragraph is taken directly from the CoDA Workbook & is Conference approved. While we are sharing it with the fellowship in the spirit of recovery and service, the copyright to this material is fully owned by Codependents Anonymous, inc (2013).

Tradition 12 - Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

Tradition Twelve clarifies that CoDA is a spiritual program and that “anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions.” Further, anonymity is the base for us to operate from in our meetings and groups, thereby placing “principles before personalities.” Doing this protects our program. Simply stated, without anonymity CoDA’s structure will fall apart.

..... With the boundary of anonymity, we are reminded that we come together for one primary purpose: to carry the message of recovery to codependents who still suffer.

..... When I listen, consider, and accept, then I know I have heard the principle of what was said.” When we honor the concept of anonymity, we place “principles before personalities.” Thus, we listen to what is said, not who is saying it. We don’t bring our personal agendas to CoDA; we bring our concern of recovery from codependency. “Spiritual” is not defined within our program. Therefore, each member’s path or belief is welcome; CoDA is completely inclusive.

Tradition Twelve teaches us to adhere to all of our Traditions by placing the principles of our Traditions before personalities. ..... The Traditions teach each member and group of Co-Dependents Anonymous how to protect our anonymous, spiritual, and inclusive Fellowship.

• What does “place principles before personalities” mean to me?

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