WORKING A PROGRAM

How to Work a Program in BRG

A clear path for recovery through the 12 Steps and Krishna consciousness

1.⁠ ⁠You’re Here. Now What?

If you’re new, you might be: broken and overwhelmed; just tired of being sick and tired, curious, confused, or simply unsure if this will work for you. That’s okay. You’re in the right place.
You don’t need to understand everything. You don’t even need to believe it’ll work. What you do need is honesty, open-mindedness and willingness.

2.⁠ ⁠What is BRG?

Bhakti Recovery Group is a 12-Step fellowship centered on Krishna.We integrate the Twelve Steps with Bhakti teachings. Our goal isn’t just to stop destructive behaviors—it’s to live free from the false self and grow in spiritual consciousness. Read more.

3.⁠ ⁠How Do We Recover?

We recover by working all Twelve Steps—not just talking about them. This is a daily spiritual program, not a one-time event.
That means:

Go to meetings regularly
Get a sponsor
Work the Steps, one at a time
Stay in daily contact with Krishna
Help the next suffering addict

This is a daily spiritual program, not a one-time event.

4.⁠ ⁠What is a Sponsor?

A sponsor is someone who has worked all Twelve Steps, is actively working a program and living in the solution, and is there to help you stay accountable, honest, and on track. A sponsor is not your therapist, saviour, or advice-giver.They’re just someone who’s walked the path and is willing to walk it with you.

5.⁠ ⁠How to Choose a Sponsor

Same gender is strongly recommended
Choose someone who has worked all 12 Steps
Look for spiritual clarity, not charisma
If they’ve got what you want, ask: “Will you sponsor me?”

6.⁠ ⁠Looking for a Sponsor?

We can help connect you. Email: support@bhaktirecoverygroup.com.
Please include to your mail: Your gender, The fellowship you're part of (AA, NA, ACA, CoDA, SLAA, Al-Anon, etc.

7.⁠ ⁠Ready to Sponsor Someone?

If you’ve worked all 12 Steps and actively live the solution, we invite you to be of service.
Please Fill out the Sponsor Volunteer Form

8.⁠ ⁠Daily Practices That Keep Us Spiritually Fit

Recovery is daily. If we don’t maintain it, we lose it.

Read

Fellowship literature:

AA – Big Book, 12 & 12

NA – Basic Text, Just for Today

ACA – Big Red Book

CoDA – Daily Meditations

OA – For Today, Voices of Recovery

SLAA/SAA – 40 Questions, Basic Text

Al-Anon – One Day at a Time, Courage to Change

Hazelden – Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Bhakti texts (available at vedabase.io):

Bhagavad-gita As It Is

Srimad Bhagavatam

Srila Prabhupada’s Conversations

Nectar of Instruction (Upadesamrita)

Pray & Meditate

Morning prayer: “Krishna, please guide me today. Help me stay sober and be useful.”

Evening prayer: “Thank You for keeping me clean and sober today.”

Chant

Chant 1 round, 4 rounds, or 16 rounds—whatever you can sincerely do. Chanting is meditation.
It cleans the heart.

Hare Krishna Mantra:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

9.⁠ ⁠Bhakti + Steps = Transformation

We don’t just stop our behavior—we change from the inside out. We:

Replace self-will with surrender
Stop controlling and start trusting
Stop reacting and start responding

This happens when we:

Work the Steps with a sponsor
Live the Steps daily
Surrender to Krishna one day at a time

10.⁠ ⁠⁠The Four Regulative Principles (Optional but Powerful)

As part of our Bhakti path, many of us live by these:

1.⁠ ⁠ No intoxication

2.⁠ ⁠No meat, fish or eggs

3.⁠ ⁠No illicit sex

4.⁠ ⁠No gambling

These aren't enforced rules—they're tools for clarity and connection.

Progress, not perfection.

11.⁠ ⁠Meeting Etiquette (Online)

Meetings are sacred. Even online, we keep them safe by:
Being on time and present
Keeping your camera on if possible
Sharing your experience only—no advice or fixing
No crosstalk—listen without interrupting
Sharing clearly and briefly
Making space for others to share
Honouring anonymity—what you hear and see, stays here
Read more

Questions?

Email us anytime: info@bhaktirecoverygroup.com