ISLAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY ONLINE
(Revised Edition)
Volume 3, March 2009
St. Louis, Missouri

Editor: Hajji. Mohamed Ziauddin MSW LCSW ACSW

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful

CAN THERE BE LITERALLY A LOVE AFFAIR BETWEEN FEMINIST AND DEVOUT MUSLIM ENTITIES?

What would be the first thought that comes to mind when you say to a devout Muslim, “there she is, the feminist that I was talking about”.

What would be the first thought that comes to mind when you say to a feminist, “there she is, the devout Muslim with the headscarf that I was talking about”.

On the surface, it may appear that Feminism and Islam are poles apart with differences too wide to ever reconcile. Both of above two groups see the other as a threat to their value system. Not surprisingly in the scenario mentioned above, very likely the first thoughts for both the Muslim and the Feminist regarding the “other” are generally negative thoughts, labels and stereotypes. WHY IS THAT?

Could it be intolerance from both sides? Could it be blind stereotypes based on misinformation about each other? How many Muslims have with an open mind really tried to understand the roots of feminism and the details of their value system? In the same way, how many feminists have with an open mind really tried to understand the roots of Islam, details of the life of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) especially as it pertains to his championing the cause of rights of women? Because they have been consistently flooded with misinformation about Islam and lack of such accurate and true information, they may be wondering, “what is he talking about”?

Both sides are almost blind to the positives of the other. Misinformation from the media (against Islam) and from the unenlightened Muslims (against feminism) feed into each other breeding additional intolerance and hate for each other.

The hate between both the groups in the 21st century has reached a point of creating a blind spot – which is the POSITIVES THAT BOTH GROUPS HAVE TO OFFER FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF THE FEMALE.

It is here that Muslim organizations such as ours could call for a change in such rigid and intransigent attitudes on both sides against each other. While we are fully cognizant and realize that we cannot totally and successfully change the feminist’s organizations to our ideal expectations, we do believe that as a Muslim organization we can take the initiative in this direction.

Taking above initiative to FIND COMMON GROUND is within our control, although we acknowledge that we in the process may be fired from the extremists on both camps – the taliban style Muslims and the radical men-hating feminists. But both extremist elements may not be able to stop above positive initiative mainly because of the support from the majority on both sides of the isle, who generally do not carry such extreme positions of hate and intolerance towards the other? There is a small group in between that is symbolically a hybrid such as FEMINIST MUSLIMS.

IS THIS EXERCISE IN DILUTING INTOLERANCE AND FOSTERING TOLERANCE BETWEEN BOTH GROUPS SOMETHING NEW?

What we are basically doing is RESURRECTING THE LONG FORGOTTEN VALUE OF “TOLERANCE” THAT WAS PREACHED BY OUR LOVING PROPHET MOHAMMED (SAW)) AND WHICH UNFORTUNATELY GOT BURIED OVER LAYERS OF CULTURAL VALUES MANY OF WHICH HAD NOTHING DIRECTLY TO DO WITH ISLAM.

It is a paradox that even though the “feminists” are perceived to have moved away from the “feminine” concept that traditionally distinguished them from “masculine”, still their name falsely continues to signify a preponderance to be “feminine”.

As with any other kind of relationship, there will be irreconcilable differences between the feminists and Muslims. Further both may have to respectfully AGREE TO DISAGREE on certain issues.

HOWEVER THE QUESTION WE NEED TO ASK IS: "SHOULD THE ABOVE DIFFERENCES AMONG THE MUSLIMS AND FEMINISTS BE A VALID REASON TO CLOSE THE DOOR TO EXPLORE WAYS OF TEAMING UP WITH EACH OTHER AND FINDING COMMON GROUND TO HELP THE NEEDY FEMALES?

Most Muslims support the feminists for common issues such as EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR EDUCATION AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT et.c?

Who among you would think that the feminist organizations are going to deny a request by Muslim organizations to team up together?

(1) In order to help fight the unislamic and local cultural practice of Female Genital Mutilation that is SHOCKINGLY still continuing in some Muslim countries?

(2) In order to help the Muslim victims who have been partially burned and traumatized due to issues relating to dowry?

(3) In order to help build schools, vocational and career training centers for Muslim women?

(4) In order to help the girls in Muslim orphanages and Muslim women in shelters?

(5) Provide female volunteers to help in various social service agencies that are focused on helping females in crisis and other related situations?

By the way, MAY I ASK, WHAT IS THE UMMAH SERIOUSLY DOING FOR OUR SISTERS THROUGH THEIR INSTITUTIONS OF MOSQUES AND THEIR LEADERS? DUE TO PAUCITY OF RESOURCES TO HELP OUR SISTERS, WE ARE EXPLORING ALL PRACTICAL OPTIONS AND COMMON GROUNDS.

THE WRITER ARGUES THAT THE HATE AND NEGATIVITY BETWEEN THE FEMINISTS AND MUSLIMS HAS SHUT DOWN MANY AREAS OF CO-OPERATION THAT COULD HAVE EASILY BENEFITED THE MUSLIM FEMALES WORLDWIDE. IT IS SAD THAT THE ULTIMATE BENEFICIARY – THE MUSLIM FEMALE GETS TO LOSE, AS LONG AS THE POLARITY AND ONGOING TENSION CONTINUES BETWEEN BOTH OF THE ABOVE GROUPS AGAINST EACH OTHER.

ABOVE EDITOR CALLS FOR INCREASED PARTNERSHIP ON COMMON AREAS OF CONCERN TO BENEFIT ALL DECEDENTS OF THE FEMALE SPECIES OF EVE.

Having explained the above, it is to be noted that the focus is on COMMON GROUND. We as Muslims will continue to stick by the gems of Islam in terms of following Holy Quran and the teachings of Prophet Mohammed (SAW).

With increased awareness of the UMMAH in terms of professional Social Work and related Social Services, it is all the more important to enlist the assistance of females, especially when dealing with female clients.

Islamic values definitely prefer women to help women compared to men helping women especially in situations that call for both of them to be in the same office or being alone in the absence of a third person. Unfortunately most of the Muslim females globally still lag behind in their educational and literacy rates.

It does not hurt for the Muslims to tap into the feminist organizations talent, & expertise especially as it relates to assisting Muslim females with health, medical and psychological issues. There are tremendous possibilities for both the feminists and Muslims to work jointly as a team to reach out to all the Muslim females in need.

If feminists think that they could directly enter the world of Muslim women and change them as they please, without the direct support and encouragement of the Muslim men, then they may be wrong?

If Muslims think that they could reach out to the maximum number of needy Muslim females and help them all by themselves without enlisting the logistic support and other related forms of assistance from non-Muslim sources, then they are wrong too?

THIS ISSUE AIMS AT BRINGING BOTH THE MUSLIMS AND FEMINISTS TOGETHER TO WORK AS A TEAM FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF THE MUSLIM FEMALE. WE ARE AWARE OF VARYING DEGREE OF APPREHENSIONS ON THIS ISSUE, THE SAME WAS TOLD INITIALLY OF INTERFAITH WORK, BUT NOW YOU SEE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE JOINING THE INTERFAITH INITIATIVE FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF HUMANITY.

IF DIFFERENCES COULD BE PUT ASIDE IN INTERFAITH WORK FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF HUMAN BEINGS, WHY NOT BETWEEN THE FEMINISTS AND MUSLIMS FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF FEMALES, MORE SPECIFICALLY THE MUSLIM FEMALES?

THE END

Feel free to e-mail us at info@mehrunyusuficds.com.

ISLAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY ONLINE
(Revised Edition)
Volume 02, February 2009
St. Louis, Missouri

Editor: Mohamed Ziauddin MSW LCSW ACSW

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful

SPOTLIGHT FOR THIS WEEK:

“A CASE STUDY OF RELATIONSHIPS:
A MUSLIM PSYCHOTHERAPIST’S PERSPECTIVE”

ISLAMIC EMPHASIS ON A STABLE SOCIETY AND STABLE RELATIONSHIP:

“The cornerstone of a society is a good and stable family. Islam encourages people to get married and have a stable family. The latter is based on rights and responsibilities on both husband and the wife. Islam recognizes the social necessity, the religious virtues and the moral aspect of marriages. There is no premarital relation as much as there is no extramarital relationship” (1).

Family in Islam is composed of: Parents children, grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces from both sides of husband and wife. When a couple marries each other they are to socially integrate their extended families to unite as one. They become an integral part of the big family in the society. There are rules and regulations of a stable family. There are obligations and duties in as much as there are rights and privileges (1).

In a way, the married life is a matter of worship, just like those of praying, fasting and other religious acts. Hence, it is considered to be a fulfillment of the faith of the individuals. Marriage is for worldly and heavenly benefits, both at the same time. Marriage helps a person to live a stable life – morally, socially, psychologically, culturally, spiritually, economically and biologically et.c. (1)

Marriage and the subsequent steps of having children and raising a family is also a platform to transition not just the genes from one generation to the next but also a distillation and transition of vast gamut of values from the refineries of culture, society, religion et.c from one generation to the next.

Marriage and family are rooted in RELATIONSHIPS. While there are several hadith and verses from the noble Holy Quran emphasizing positive relationships, the reality on the ground for the current UMMAH is nothing but a series of challenges to the individual. One wonders why such an important issue of RELATIONSHIPS is frequently just brushed over or barely touched in the speeches and sermons that we hear.

THE SAD REALITY:

THE SAD REALITY IS THAT FOR MANY INDIVIDUALS THE PERSON WHO CREATED THE MOST HARM AND PAIN TO THEM IS EITHER A LOVED ONE OR FAMILY MEMBER OR RELATIVE.

YOU MAY HAVE YOURSELF NOT ONLY HEARD BUT WITNESSED A NUMBER OF SITUATIONS WHICH ATTEST TO ABOVE FACT. WHY IS THIS?

Of course, we should not forget that there are certain Muslims who are blessed to have a stable family, a stable relationship with their spouse and who could symbolically say with confidence that their marriage was made in heaven and if you want to see a sample, meet them. However the focus of this issue is not on the “happy campers”, instead it is dedicated to the majority of Muslim clients who have sought therapeutic services for relationship conflict issues.

THE SECOND SUCH SAD REALITY IS THAT AN INDIVIDUAL MUSLIM GOES OUT OF HIS OR HER WAY BY BENDING BACKWARDS AND HELPING HIS OR HER OWN FAMILY MEMBER(s) OR RELATIVE(s) OR FRIEND(s) TO THE MAXIMUM OF HIS OR HER ABILITY AND IN RETURN THE PERSON WHO RECEIVED ALL THE HELP BECOMES ALMOST AN ENEMY. SYMBOLICALLY THAT SAME MOUTH THAT WAS FED BY ONE’S GENEROUS HAND ALL ALONG, HAS NOW COME TO BITE THE SAME HAND. MANY CLIENTS HAVE REPORTED SUCH AN EXPERIENCE TO BE EXTREMELY PAINFUL MAINLY BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT WHAT THEY WERE EXPECTING IN RETURN.

THE POINT TO BE EMPHASIZED HERE IS THAT, IN REALITY IN MOST CASES, IT IS NOT SOME STRANGER FROM OUT OF THE BLUE THAT COMES TO CAUSE AN INDIVIDUAL THE MAXIMUM PAIN, BUT INSTEAD IT IS ONE’S VERY OWN LOVED ONE, OR KITH & KIN, RELATIVE POSSIBLY STAYING UNDER THE SAME ROOF OR WITHIN THE SAME SOCIAL CIRCLE THAT BECOMES THE GREATEST ENEMY AND THE MAXIMUM SOURCE OF ANGER & RESENTMENT.


AN EXAMPLE OF HOW A RELATIVE COULD IN A SUBTLE WAY DEVASTATE AN INDIVIDUAL’S LIFE:

What would a young innocent beautiful female immigrant from another country do, when her own relative who supported the sponsorship of her violates Islamic and local laws and makes indirect sexual advances towards her. If she discloses this “secret” to her host relatives, then a conflict may ensue among the family members that could possibly result in one or more of them ending up to live in a women's shelter. Obviously she did not leave her country of birth to end up at a “women’s shelter” in the U.S. This was never a way to start a new life with an intent to permanently settle down in a new country.

Further due to “strong family values”, the young female voluntarily suffered such unwelcome sexual advances in order to prevent major conflict within the family. This in her eyes was a “sacrifice” she was making to continue to see the family “happy”. But how long can she continue to suffer and at what cost? What options are out there for the resolution of above problem?

If this drives her to seek any decent Muslim man in her local community to get married and permanently get out of her host relative's house, would such a hasty decision to marry be a wrong judgment on her part?

To begin with, would this be a legitimate reason to get married? What if the stressors she face from the new husband are far worse than the current stressors from her male relative who was making sexual advances to her.

From whom can she get advice in this newly adopted country of hers, when she cannot even speak proper English?

Even if the Ummah is concerned about helping other fellow Muslims, WHAT STRUCTURE OR PROCESS DOES THE UMMAH HAVE IN PLACE TO IDENTIFY SILENT VICTIMS LIKE HER AND PERPETRATORS LIKE HER MALE RELATIVE WHO DISCREETLY WALK IN THE DARK SHADOWS OF UN-ISLAMIC AND UNLAWFUL PATH?

THE MASJIDS (HOUSE OF ALLAH) WAS THE LAST BASTION WHERE SHE COULD HAVE EASILY GONE AND CONFIDED TO A SELECTED MEMBER OF HER OWN FAITH IN HER OWN LANGUAGE?

BUT UNLIKE THE GOLDEN DAYS OF OUR PROPHET MOHAMMED (SAW), WHERE THE MASJID WAS USED FOR SOCIAL SERVICES TOO, AMONG MANY OTHER PURPOSES, TODAY THERE IS NO VISIBLE SIGN OR PERSON IN THE HOUSE OF ALLAH, WITH A “WELCOME SIGN”, ENCOURAGING HER TO EXPRESS HER PROBLEMS WITH THE ARDENT HOPE THAT IT WILL BE LOOKED INTO AND RESOLVED.

WHEN THERE IS NO FORMAL OR INFORMAL STRUCTURE IN PLACE, THE QUESTION OF UTILIZING OUR INVISIBLE TALENT OF MUSLIM PROFESSIONALS FROM THE HEALING ARTS DOES NOT EVEN ARISE.

Most of the Social Service Committees of Masjids at the present time are focused on financial and material related services to the needy besides organizing dinners and other specific functions, which is good, but it is recommended that they move into the psychological and social domain as well, creating a structure and process to enable receiving voluntary assistance from Muslims who are more than willing to assist as needed.

THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF MUSLIMS WITHIN THE U.S. TODAY FROM THE HEALING ARTS PROFESSION WHO ARE SINCERE AND WILLING TO VOLUNTEER THEIR SERVICES TO FELLOW MUSLIMS, BUT WHEN THERE IS NO FORMAL STRUCTURE IN PLACE TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESS, HOW CAN THEY EVEN IDENTIFY WHO THE PSYCHOLOGICALLY NEEDY MUSLIMS ARE?

Coming back to the main focus of this issue, as you see, what an havoc and devastation indirect and subtle unislamic acts can do to shatter the stability of a helpless individual who is currently meeting her basic needs of food, housing and clothing from her own perpetrator.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW A RELATIVE OR FAMILY MEMBER CAN CAUSE SEVERE PROBLEMS TO AN INDIVIDUAL. EMOTIONAL PAIN CAUSED DUE TO ECONOMIC RELATED REASONS IS YET ANOTHER MAJOR AREA BETWEEN AN INDIVIDUAL AND HIS OR HER FAMILY MEMBER OR RELATIVE.

This issue of severe harm done to self by close family members has not received the attention it deserves. Such harm comes partly by violating ISLAMIC PRINCIPLES AND VALUES. This violation must be addressed and condemned when we speak of UMMAH and ISLAMIC BROTHERHOOD.

It is recommended that the Islamic Centers open the doors of their Social Service Committees to help the needy who are undergoing various forms of psychological and emotional pain and hardships. The easiest way to do it is by identifying the Muslims in the HEALING ARTS PROFESSION and welcoming them to contribute their noble services.

“Whosoever aids and encourages goodness is a partner to it, and whosoever aids and abets wrongfulness is a partner to it; and Allah has supremacy over all” (4:85).


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
“Introducing Islam: Foundation for Islamic Knowledge”- Ahmad Sakr.

As usual feel free to give your valuable feedback. Our e-mail address is info@mehrunyusuficds.com.

THE END

Islamic Psychotherapy Online
(Revised Edition)
Volume 01, January 2009
St. Louis, Missouri

Mohamed Ziauddin MSW, LCSW, ACSW

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful

FOCUS OF THIS WEEK:

CLUTTER:

THIS ISSUE IS DEDICATED TO ONE MUSLIM CLIENT WHO HAD A VERY SEVERE PROBLEM WITH CLUTTER AND WHO WAS BRIEFLY REFERRED FOR CONSULTATION TO THIS WRITER FROM A MUSLIM AGENCY:


HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM A CLUTTERER?
(Clutterer Anonymous)

(1) Do you have more possessions or items in your life than you can handle comfortably?

(2) Do you find it difficult to dispense of many things, even those you have not used in years?

(3) Do you rent storage space to house items you never use?

(4) Do you spend time looking for things that are hard to find because of all the clutter?

(5) Do you find it easier to drop something than to put it away, or wedge an object into an overcrowded drawer or closet rather than to find a space for it?

(6) Do you collect things to give to others?

(7) Do you bring things into your house without establishing a place for them?

(8) IS YOUR CLUTTER CAUSING PROBLEMS IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS?

(9) Are you embarrassed to have visitors because your home is never presentable?
Do you hesitate sharing about this problem because you are ashamed of your cluttering?

(10) Are you constantly doing for others while your own home is out of order?

(11) Do you miss deadlines or abandon projects because you can’t find the paperwork or material you need to finish the work?

(12) Do you sometimes get buried in details, making projects take much longer than is really necessary?

(13) Do you procrastinate about cleaning up because you believe you must do it perfectly or you won’t do it at all?

(14) Are you easily sidetracked, moving from one project to another without finishing any of them?

(15) o you have problems with time management and estimating how long it takes to do things?

(16) Do you believe there is all the time in the world to clean your house, finish those projects and read all those piles of old magazines?

(17) Do you use distractions to escape from your clutter?

(18) Have you tried to clean up from time to time but find yourself unable to stick with it?

(19) Does the problem appear to be growing?

IF YOU ANSWERED “YES” TO THREE OR MORE OF THESE QUESTIONS, THERE IS A CHANCE YOU ARE A CLUTTER OR WELL ON YOUR WAY TO BECOMING ONE.

ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE:

“The purpose of the hygiene regime in Islam is to create a community, which is healthy and immune against infectious diseases and the healthy individual (in body and mind) who is capable of understanding and applying God’s message and carrying it away to the whole world” (2)

BODY CLEANLINESS: Islam recommends bathing for 23 reasons. Seven of them are compulsory and sixteen are preferable.

HANDS CLEANLINESS:
Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) stated:

(a) “Wash thy hands before and after eating”.

(b) “Wash thy hands after awakening. No one knows where his hands lay during his sleep”.

CLOTHING CLEANLINESS:
Islam recommends clothing cleanliness and elegance. “Ameliorate thy clothing and thy mount”.

FOOD AND DRINK CLEANLINESS:
Orders for protecting food from dust and insects, the Prophet Mohamed (SAW) stated: “Cover they vessels and drinks”.

RESIDENCE CLEANLINESS:
(PRIMARY FOCUS OF THIS ISSUE)
“CLEAN THY COURTYARDS AND THY RESIDENCES AS WELL AS STREET CLEANLINESS”. “IT IS CHARITABLE TO REMOVE HARMS (HARMFUL THINGS) FROM THE ROAD”.

CLEANLINESS OF WATER SOURCES:
Such as wells, rivers and shores. Therefore urinating and defecating are forbidden in any of them.
Prophet Mohamed stated:
“Avoid three evils: defecation in water sources, shades and in the road”.

IF THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOLLOWED ACCURATELY IN THE 21ST CENTURY, MOST OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL INFECTIONS COULD BE REDUCED AND HARMFUL INSECTS SUCH AS FLYS, (COCKROACHES - SPECIALLY DUE TO CLUTTER AND FOOD DIRT AROUND HOME) AND OTHER RELATED PROBLEMS COULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED.

Severe clutter problems at home may be indicative of a more serious pathological issue, which the editor prefers to discuss in a different issue.

In ISLAM, cleanliness is an important issue so much, so that, the prayers offered without being clean may be invalid.

Islam emphasizes on the cleanliness.

The seven pre-requisites of Prayers are:
(1) Cleanliness of the body
(2) Cleanliness of the clothes
(3) Cleanliness of the place (where prayer is being offered)
(4) Hiding (covering) parts of the body-ordained to be covered.
(5) Time being proper for the prayer
(6) Facing the Qiblah and
(7) Saying the “intention” (Niyyah).

IT IS HIGHLY VIRTUES TO REMAIN IN WADU CONDITION IN ALL TIME.

As per the focus of this issue, CLUTTER at HOME is the main point that is highlighted. CLA has done a tremendous job in terms of helping clients with problems with clutter. It is but natural to discuss about their origin and programs.

WHAT IS CLUTTER?
(Clutteres Anonymous)

Per definition by CLA, Clutter is anything we don’t need, want, or use that takes our space, and destroys our serenity. It can be - outgrown clothes, obsolete papers, broken toys, disliked gifts, meaningless activity, ancient resentments or unsatisfying relationships. We may be selective in some areas, but not in others, objects may be strewn about or wedged into drawers, neatly stacked or stowed in storage.

Our Clutter seems to have a life of its own, to multiply without effort on our part. We may feel overwhelmed controlled by our possessions, doomed to be hopelessly disorganized. No matter how we deal with our clutter, it can be a source of pain and shame to ourselves and to those we live with.

Despite this pain, we fear throwing things out. We think we might need it, fix it, and wear it again. We don’t want to be wasteful or ungrateful. We don’t know what to keep and what to discard. We don’t know how much is enough.

De cluttering is not merely eliminating, but gradually transforming our space so that we surround ourselves with things that express our purpose. It means turning something useless into something useful, creating more leisure and space, being more honest in our relationships, eliminating distractions and simplifying our lives in order to find our spiritual roots.

Although we may cling to our clutter, what we really yearn for are surroundings of beauty, order, serenity, a balanced life and harmonious relationships.

CLA believes that their “dis-ease” is threefold – physical, emotional and spiritual.

PHYSICAL:
This is the behavior that results in the stacks, the piles, and the objects that fill our home, our car, our workplace, and our world. Whether organized or strewn about, it is all so overwhelming. We find ourselves drowning in a sea of clutter. We have become owned by our possessions.

EMOTIONAL:
This is the fog we create in our heads- resentments, unfinished thoughts, emotional baggage, daydreams, worries about the future, regrets about the past Our mind is a constant spin, we lose today because our time is spent living in yesterday and tomorrow.

SPIRITUAL:
This is the deep emptiness we feel inside – the emptiness we compulsively try to fill by clinging to useless objects, non-productive ideas, meaningless activities and unsatisfying relationships.

HOW CLUTTERS ANONYMOUS GOT STARTED?

CLA (Clutterers Anonymous) was started on February 26, 1989 by two California women who wanted to bring order into their lives. They founded CLA to simplify their lives so that they could free their time to use their God-given talents and help others to accomplish the same thing. The first meeting was held in Simi Valley California, May 1989.


Clutterers Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who share experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem with clutter and help others to recover. The only requirement for membership is a desire to eliminate clutter and bring order into their lives. They don’t have any dues or fees for membership; they are self-supporting through their own contributions, neither soliciting nor accepting outside donations. Clutterers Anonymous is not affiliated with any public or private organization, political movement, ideology, or religious doctrine, they take no position on outside issues. Their primary purpose is to eliminate clutter, to establish more order in their lives, and to carry their message of recovery to clutters that still suffer.


TOOLS OF RECOVERY:

ACTION:
Action is the magic word. They have found these actions helpful to create for themselves an environment of order, beauty and serenity.

MEETINGS:
They attend meetings to learn how the program works and to share their experience, strength and hope with each other.

TELEPHONE:
They use the phone to keep in touch with other members of the fellowship between meetings. They make calls before and after any critical action (Book ending). Talking on the phone helps both members.

DAILY ACTION:
They do something each day to further their recovery, doing what they can, no matter how small. Their goal is progress not perfection.

BUDDIES:
Buddies are CLA members and helpmates in recovery. They can be called with the caller’s daily plan or ask for help with a project.

SPONSORS:
Sponsors are CLA members who are committed to recovery through the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions. A Step sponsor leads us through the 12 Steps of recovery. They choose a sponsor who has what they want. The sponsor and buddy may be the same person.

LITERATURE:
They use CLA literature and that of other 12 Step programs. Literature is an ever-available tool that helps them gain insight as well as strength to deal with their problem.

SERVICE:
Service is giving back to the fellowship, from holding office to doing cleanup. It helps them to feel a part of the group and to solve problems cooperatively.

FOCUSING:
Their goal is to do one thing at a time.

STREAMLINING:
They honor what they own by setting limits on their possessions. They keep only what they use, and have space for. They realize that the more they acquire, the less they enjoy what they already have.

EARMARKING:
They provide a place for their possessions and return them there. They create a home for anything before bringing it in. When they add a new item, they release an old one. For accessibility, beauty and peace of mind, they keep some empty space.

They believe that they can recover from cluttering and use their experience to benefit others.

They believe that they are entitled to surroundings of serenity and order and joyous lives.

They simplify their lives, believing that when they need a fact or an item, it will be available to them.

They nurture their spirit by surrounding themselves with beauty and harmony.

“THE TWELVE STEPS:

(1) We admitted we were powerless over clutter – that our lives had become unmanageable.

(2) Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

(3) Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understood God.

(4) Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

(5) Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

(6) Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

(7) Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings.

(8) Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

(9) Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

(10) Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.

(11) Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood God, praying only for the knowledge of God’s will for us and the power to carry that out.

(12) Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.


THE TWELVE TRADITIONS:

(1) Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon Clutterers Anonymous unity.

(2) For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as expressed through our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.

(3) The only requirement for Clutterers Anonymous membership is a desire to eliminate clutter and bring order into our lives.

(4) Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups of Clutterers Anonymous as a whole.

(5) Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the person who still suffers.

(6) A Clutterers Anonymous group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the Clutterers Anonymous name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.

(7) Every Clutterers Anonymous group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

(8) Clutters Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional but our service centers may employ special workers.

(9) Clutterers Anonymous, as such, ought never be organized, but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.

(10) Clutters Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the Clutterers Anonymous name ought never be drawn into public controversy.

(11) Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we always maintain personal anonymity the level of press, radio or films.

(12) Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities”

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

(1) CLA-Clutterers Anonymous – A brief guide. You can subscribe to their newsletter, obtain additional literature & attend their meetings listed by STATE (Within U.S), Weekday, Time, Place, and City et.c. by checking out their website: http://www.clutterersanonymous.net/.

(2) Health: An Islamic Perspective: Dr. Ahmed Shawky Al-Fangary, KUWAIT” (http://www.islamset.com/)