Wednesday, September 4, 2019

The AA program. Action, action and still more action.

Over the years that I've studied AA literature I see that the 12 step program is primarily focused on action - spiritual action. In fact in the book Alcoholics Anonymous the program is described as a practical program of action.  It is through a daily routine of spiritual action that I grow my spirituality and thus continue my relationship with my Higher Power who gives me a daily reprieve from my alcoholism.

I've done a search of the AA Big Book in an effort to show just how much action is emphasized. I see now it is not so much a "thinking" program as it is a "doing" program and quite simple.

I'll start by putting one of my favorite quotes from the AA Book and then the rest are in order taken only from the program portion of the book; the first 164 pages.


To be vital, faith must be accompanied by self sacrifice and unselfish, constructive action.  - Pg. 93


But he did no ranting. In a matter of fact way he told how two men had appeared in court, persuading the judge to suspend his commitment. They had told of a simple religious idea and a practical program of action. That was two months ago and the result was self-evident. It worked! - Pg. 9 "Bills Story"


The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution. We have a way out on which we can absolutely agree, and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action. This is the great news this book carries to those who suffer from alcoholism. - Pg 16 "There is a Solution"


"Then they outlined the spiritual answer and program of action which a hundred of them had followed successfully. Though I had been only a nominal churchman, their proposals were not, intellectually, hard to swallow. But the program of action, though entirely sensible, was pretty drastic. It meant I would have to throw several lifelong conceptions out of the window. - Pg 42 "More about Alcoholism"


Next we launched out on a course of vigorous action, the first step of which is a personal housecleaning.  - Pg 63 "How it Works"


HAVING MADE our personal inventory, what shall we do about it? We have been trying to get a new attitude, a new relationship with our Creator, and to discover the obstacles in our path. We have admitted certain defects; we have ascertained in a rough way what the trouble is; we have put our finger on the weak times in our personal inventory. Now these are about to be cast out. This requires action on our part, which, when completed, will mean that we have admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our defects. This brings us to the Fifth Step in the program of recovery mentioned in the preceding chapter. - Pg 72 "Into Action"


Now we need more action, without which we find that “Faith without works is dead.” Let’s look at Steps Eight and Nine. - Pg. 76 "Into Action"

It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. - Pg. 85

We alcoholics are undisciplined. So we let God discipline us in the simple way we have just outlined. But this is not all. There is action and more action. “Faith without works is dead.” The next chapter is entirely devoted to Step Twelve.  - Pg. 88


Outline the program of action, explaining how you made a self-appraisal, how you straightened out your past and why you are now endeavoring to be helpful to him. - Pg. 94


Now, the domestic problem: There may be divorce, separation, or just strained relations. When your prospect has made such reparation as he can to his family, and has thoroughly explained to them the new principles by which he is living, he should proceed to put those principles into action at home. - Pg. 98


After satisfying yourself that your man wants to recover and that he will go to any extreme to do so, you may suggest a definite course of action. Pg 142


The two friends spoke of their spiritual experience and told him about the course of action they carried out. - Pg 157








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