tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137605055478126502024-03-28T06:53:05.535+07:00Alcoholics Anonymous Discussion BlogA blog dedicated to discussion of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous as found in the Twelve and Twelve and first 164 pages of the Big Book "Alcoholics Anonymous".BringTheHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18089252660271306944noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-1725095520964290872023-10-21T16:39:00.008+07:002023-10-21T16:57:49.709+07:00Secular and Agnostic AA Groups.<p> </p><p>I've come across some long time AA members who claim to be agnostic or atheist. I've also seen so called "secular" AA or agnostic "AA" group meetings advertised on the Intergroup website. I, being an AA literature enthusiast, had become interested in this phenomenon and like so much misinformation that tends to infiltrate the AA fellowship misinformation motivates members who consider themselves atheist or agnostic to think they need to create a separate type of AA. ( think this may go against tradition, since AA is just AA) I believe organizations using the AA name like "Secular AA" may be going against AA tradition and misusing the AA name. <br /></p><p>One such member shares that "because AA says you have to believe in God" I've needed to adjust the program to suit myself. I feel bad for this man. He's somehow never got the message that AA doesn't insist any members believe in God. <br /></p><p>No where in the AA 12 step program outlined in both the Big Book and
the 12 and 12 does it say you have to believe in God. It never says you have to.
</p>
<p> Simply and open mindedness to a have spiritual experience by going
through and doing the steps. This spiritual experience amounts to
contact with Higher Power, Power Greater, Spirit of the Universe etc etc
personal to the individual. A Power Greater of ones own understanding.
</p>
<p>
It makes me chuckle but also kind of sad to see that "agnostic" or
"secular" groups start up when they really don't even need to. All they
needed to do is actually study carefully the Big Book Chapter "We
Agnostics" and notice a couple simple directions. They jump to
conclusions when they see the word God, keep their minds shut clinging
to prejudice and write AA off as all about the conventional idea of God.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
This is from my blog post extracting the specific instructions found in the program portion of the Big Book (first 164pgs)
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>S</b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>tep 2: Information/Directions: Chapters: "There is a Solution" (from page 25 on) and "</b></span><b><span style="font-size: small;">We Agnostics"</span></b></span></span>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Direction 1:</b> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Pg 46: <u>We found that as soon as we were able to </u></span><u><span>lay aside prejudice and express even a willingness to</span><span> believe in a Power gr</span><span>eater than ourselves, we com</span><span>menced to get r</span><span>esults, even though it was impossible </span><span>for any of us to fully define or comprehend that </span><span>Power, which is God.</span></u></span></span>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><b>Direction 2</b> Page 47:<u> </u></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span><u><span>W</span><span>e needed to ask ourselves but one short question.</span><span>“Do I now believe, or am I even willing to believe,</span></u><span><u>that there is a Power greater than myself?’’</u> </span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
Nowhere does it say you HAVE TO believe. Even a willingness to believe
is enough to do step 2. If someone isn't even willing to believe than
that is nothing but closed mindedness and holding on to old ideas.
Something that we see in "How it Works" as being a big warning!
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
At some of these we balked. We thought we could find an easier, softer
way. But we could not. With all the earnestness at our command, we beg
of you to be fearless and thorough from the very start. <b><u><i>Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely.</i></u></b>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
It seems most of the staunch agnostics and atheists that hang around
the fellowship (of course they are allowed to and never discouraged from
attending due to tradition) have made a mistake.
</p>
<p>
They appear to rely on themselves to try to understand the AA program
and seem to rely on themselves to stay sober instead of surrendering to the
simple program. Id be curious, since these secular or agnostic AA groups
are around and how much success they actually have in
producing long term sobriety results. How many actual members are there
in this fringe sect of AA and are they staying sober?
</p>8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-14227440739741750292023-03-19T00:59:00.002+07:002023-03-19T00:59:24.102+07:00The difference between being a sober member of AA and being recovered.<p> </p><div class="ipsQuote_contents ipsClearfix" data-ipstruncate-expandtext="Expand" data-ipstruncate-size="7 lines" data-ipstruncate-type="hide" data-ipstruncate="true">
<p>I've been recently engaged in an online discussion of alcoholism in an attempt to help new comers on a forum. This question was asked of me by a member of AA. <br /></p><p>"When I say sober in AA, what does that mean to you? "</p>
</div>
<p>
What it means to me is what it means in English. Twisting the English
language and making up our own definitions of words makes communication difficult at best. If we are talking about a method of recovery from alcoholism
then "what words mean to me" is dangerous. We are talking about saving
peoples lives in AA.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
We are using the English language here correct? So let's look at a definition.
</p>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<h3>
SOBER: adjective
</h3>
<ol><li>
Not intoxicated or affected by the use of alcohol or drugs.
</li><li>
Abstaining from or habitually abstemious in the use of alcoholic drink or other intoxicants.
</li><li>
Straightforward and serious; not exaggerated, emotional, or silly.
</li></ol><p>
</p>
<p>
Not drinking does not necessarily mean one is recovered from alcoholism.
Being recovered from alcoholism is the great promise as described in
the Big Book. So sober time in AA does not necessarily mean a person is
recovered from alcoholism. Especially if that person is not a real
alcoholic as described in The Doctors Opinion, There is a Solution and
More about Alcoholism chapters in the Big Book.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
It is a sad reality in the modern day AA fellowship. A good many people,
some sober awhile in the fellowship have not taken short time to STUDY
the basic texts of AA society. The Big Book and Twelve and Twelve.
They've been going to meetings for years and never studied even the
first 164 pages of the Big Book. Why? Perhaps laziness? Resting on our laurels? Just going to meetings is easier?
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
My group is a literature group. We make sure anybody new knows exactly
what the AA program is as laid out in the literature. This is so they at
least have the opportunity to know what's available and the promises of
hope and recovery available if they are willing to do that work.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
This is the great hope of AA.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
RECOVER
</p>
<ul><li>
<abbr title="partOfSpeech">intransitive verb</abbr> <i></i> To regain the use of (a faculty) or be restored to (a normal or usual condition).
</li><li>
<abbr title="partOfSpeech">intransitive verb</abbr> <i></i> To regain a normal or usual condition, as of health.
</li><li>
<abbr title="partOfSpeech">intransitive verb</abbr> <i></i> To cause to be restored to a normal or usual condition.
</li></ul><p>
</p>
<p>
Through doing the 12step program of AA I've regained my life and been
restored to what most people would say is a normal existence. Nobody
would guess I'm alcoholic if they looked at a day or week in my life.
(except if they observed me going to meetings)
</p>
</div>8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-4293380629093125602023-03-10T14:39:00.002+07:002023-03-10T14:39:10.634+07:00The How it Works Reading and it's meaning explained.From time to time there is confusion about the "How it Works" reading. May new AA's do not know where it comes from. My home group specifically makes sure everyone knows the reading is from the AA societies text book entitled Alcoholics Anonymous or more fondly referred to as "The Big Book".<br /><p> The start of Chapter 5 first paragraph reads:
</p><p>
<em><strong><span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif;">Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. </span></span></strong></em>
</p>
<p>
( Meaning simply that working ALL the steps will almost guarantee recovery from alcoholism)
</p>
<p>
<em><strong><span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif;">Those who</span></span><span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif;"> do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple</span></span></strong></em><span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif;"><em><strong> program</strong></em>.</span></span></p><p><span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif;">( This is a
reiteration of the fact that half measures or more plainly NOT WORKING
ALL THE STEPS will not bring about recovery from alcoholism )</span></span>
</p>
<p> The steps are the program. The path they are referring is nothing more
or less than the 12 step program of recovery. It is written in plain
English. </p><p>The half measures sentence in the first part of the chapter "How it Works" refers to the ENTIRE 12 step program.
</p>
<p><span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif;">Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. We asked His protec</span></span><span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif;">tion and care with complete abandon.</span></span><span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif;"> <u><em><strong>Here are the steps we took, which are suggested as a program of recovery:</strong></em></u></span></span>
</p>
<p> The steps are then listed. -- <strong>The 12 steps are the program</strong>
</p>8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-52253314429693929612023-02-27T02:38:00.005+07:002023-02-27T02:38:46.086+07:00Can the Big Book and other AA literature be "interpreted"<p> </p><p>
My opinion is that the mistake of many uninformed AA's is to think that the Big Book and Twelve and Twelve can be "interpreted".<u><em> Why would Bill W. write a book with the goal of saving peoples lives from alcoholism that would need interpretation?<strong> </strong></em></u><strong>It's not written in code. It's written in English. </strong>There
are many people in the fellowship of AA who never take time to actually
study the book closely. I was one of those people at 7 years a dry
drunk in AA.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
Once carefully studied one finds the literature is not meant to be
interpreted. It's meant as a precise guide concerning how to apply the
practical 12 step program of action in ones life to recover from
alcoholism. Once someone really studies the AA book and Twelve and
Twelve with a qualified and reputable sponsor (or some very famous Big
Book teachers like Joe and Charlie or Bob D and Scott L) they find that
in several parts of the first 164 that it states just how "precise" Bill
and the first 100 alcoholics have attempted to make the text. Here are a
couple of excerpts.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<strong>Big Book Page 28/29:</strong>
</p>
<p align="justify">
<span>In the following chapter, there appears an explanation of
alcoholism, as we understand it, then a chapter addressed to the
agnostic. <em>Many who <strong>once </strong>were in this class are now among our members. </em>Surprisingly enough, we find such convictions no great obstacle to a spiritual experience.</span>
</p>
<p align="justify">
<span><u><em><strong>Further on, clear-cut directions are given showing how we recovered.</strong></em> </u>These are followed by forty-three personal experiences.</span>
</p>
<p align="justify">
</p>
<p align="justify">
<strong><span>Forward to the first edition:</span></strong>
</p>
<p align="justify">
We of Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have re-<br />
covered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.<em><strong> T<u>o show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book.</u></strong></em>
</p>
<p align="justify">
</p>
<p align="justify">
Sometimes I get labeled a Big Book thumper with the added comment that I have some sort of strict "interpretation" of the literature and everyone can have their own interpretation. The thing is that I don't have a personal interpretation. In fact
all my AA friends who are literature enthusiasts and who consider
themselves students of the Big Book and Twelve all agree with what it
says. I attend literature study groups and we all find together exactly
what the literature states. There is very little room for
interpretation. <strong>Interpretation to suit ones own personal agenda can actually kill real alcoholics because they may never be offered the true program as designed.</strong>
</p>
<p align="justify"> </p>8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-7438426796654577902023-02-06T11:28:00.002+07:002023-02-06T11:50:02.925+07:00Is AA a Religion? Can an athiest be "IN" the program. The "God Word" pamphet<p> </p><p>Here is a response to a blog post I read in which the author claims to have an atheists interpretation to the 12 step program of AA. <br /></p><p>AA is not a religion. AA shuns affiliation with religious groups.
</p>
<p>There is no being "IN" the program of AA. One is either doing it or you are not doing it. One can be "IN"
meetings of the fellowship but people can only do or not do the program.
</p>
<p>
<b><u>Being "In" AA is not the same as actually doing the program of AA.</u></b>
There are plenty of atheists and agnostics visiting the meetings of AA
everyday all over the world. BUT, if they want recovery the AA way they
will have to do the program which demands they be open minded and get
past their prejudices toward spiritual terms and be even willing to
believe a Higher Power might exist. This is required TO DO THE SECOND
STEP of the 12 step PROGRAM of recovery.
</p>
<p>
The <b>God Word</b> pamphlet has to do with acceptance of
people from all beliefs and walks of life IN THE MEETINGS OF THE
FELLOWSHIP. It has always been the case that people of all beliefs and
walks of life are accepted in the fellowship. But, if they want to do
the 12 step PROGRAM of AA they will have to get past their prejudices
toward spiritual terms and toward the possible existence of a Higher
Power, Spirit of the Universe, Universal Mind, or God.. whatever you
want to call God. They will need to drop their old atheist or agnostic
ideas and become open minded to the possible existence of a God of some
sort. From there they do the 3rd step and through demonstration of the
3rd step decision they do the rest of the steps which brings about a
personal experience of a Higher Power.
</p>8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-27640606289918524392022-02-21T09:55:00.020+07:002022-08-13T02:08:06.898+07:004th Step Resentment list third column breakdown. Categories of the human instincts / drives.<p><b>3rd column of the fourth step resentment list breakdown.</b></p><p><b>Security</b> <br /> a) material/financial security, survival instinct.<br /> b) emotional security - self esteem, feeling good about oneself.<br /><b>Social</b><br /> a) The desire to have friends and keep them. Personal relationships.<br /> b) Desire to hold a position within a social group Example: A position at work. A position in an AA group. A position on a sports team. Leader or position within a political organization. Much of this instinct can be about the social prestige attached to having the position. I can now tell my friends I'm the leader or VP or manager etc..</p><p> c) Desire for social prestige/acceptance (in a group or to individuals)</p><p><br /><b>Sex</b><br /> a) socially acceptable sex relations. <br /> b) hidden sex relations (affairs, sex that you would want to hide from others)<br /> </p><p>Identify which one of the instincts are threatened by the person, institution or principle which have caused resentment. Then make a mental note ( to be talked about in the 5th step ) of <b><u>how</u></b> theses instincts / desires have been threatened. <br /></p><p><u><b>Also note</b></u> - AMBITIONS TO SATISFY ANY OF THE ABOVE.</p><p>It could be that the resentment held against a person is threatening ambition to satisfy one of the instincts in the future. For example someone has said something bad about me to a person I am pursuing for a sexual or romantic relationship. Now I'm angry and resentful at this person for bad mouthing me. Why? Because my ambition to satisfy my social instinct (desire to have the relation) and my ambition to have sex has been threatened. How has it been threatened? It has to do with my thinking. I think that the person I am pursuing now thinks less of me and won't want to know me or go out with me because of what the person with whom I now hold a resentment said to them. <br /></p>8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-73455030405636375072021-08-27T13:59:00.015+07:002022-05-19T22:53:31.250+07:004th step fear inventory unofficial 3rd column: How was I relying on self?<div style="text-align: center;"> We asked ourselves why we had them. (fears) Wasn't it because self reliance failed us? -Big Book</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The below questions can help to identify why we have fears by looking at exactly how we may have a relied on self? Or in other words "played God"<br /></div><div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>How did I set the ball rolling? What decisions based on self (my instincts) put me in a position or consequences to be in fear?<br /></li><li>Had I or have I not asked for help from others or God? If not why?</li><li>Had I or Have I not discussed something with someone that I should have? </li><li>Was or Am I playing God thinking I know what others are thinking?<br /></li><li>Was or Am I playing God predicting the future? (many of us imagine worse case scenarios concerning our worries)</li><li>Was I or am I playing God thinking I know what others are doing without direct evidence <br /></li></ul><p><u><b>Remember, fear lies only in our thinking of what the future may hold for us.</b></u> Many alcoholics dwell on worries and fear of their well being or not getting what they want in the future. In basic terms it is that a person thinks that they will not be alright sometime in the future or not get what they THINK they need in the future. Sometimes it is fear of missing out. Missing out on satisfying our instincts (self). Missing out on the money I think I need, missing out on the social prestige or friends I think I need, missing out on the sex I think I need. Playing God and thinking we may know what the future holds. We imagine the outcome of any number of situations or future scenarios in our lives. In many cases we are outright wrong and spend a lot of time in fear and worry, convinced the future will include our worst case scenarios and we won't get what we want or be OK when inevitably we are wrong. </p><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Fear Prayer from the Big Book:</b> We ask Him to remove our fear and direct our attention to what He would have us be. At once, we commence to outgrow fear.<span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 20px; left: 116.16px; top: 718.728px; transform: scaleX(0.75258);"></span></div></div></div>8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-21104717627199457912021-06-14T11:25:00.004+07:002023-04-12T01:38:08.093+07:00The Promises of the 12 steps as found in the book "Alcoholics Anonymous"<p>Here extracted from the AA text book "Alcoholics Anonymous" are promises attached to most all the steps. The text has quite a few promises and conditions for acquiring the promises. Here listed are the more significant promises attached to a particular step.</p><p>KEY: Promises are underlined and conditions are in bold and italics.<br /></p><p>Step 2: <span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 118.398px; top: 671.905px; transform: scaleX(0.791505);">As soon as we admitted the possible existence of a </span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 118.398px; top: 696.239px; transform: scaleX(0.778351);">Creative Intelligence, a Spirit of the Universe under-</span></b></i><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 118.398px; top: 720.572px; transform: scaleX(0.757449);"><i><b>lying the totality of things</b></i>, <u>we began to be possessed </u></span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 118.398px; top: 744.906px; transform: scaleX(0.77768);"><u>of a new sense of power and direction,</u> <b><i>provided we</i></b></span><b><i><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 118.398px; top: 769.239px; transform: scaleX(0.766555);"> took other simple steps. </span></i></b></span></p><p> Step 3: <u>We had a new Employer. Being all powerful, He provided what we
needed,</u> <i><b>if we kept close to Him and performed His work well.</b></i>
<i><b>Established on such a footing</b></i><u> we became less and less interested in
ourselves, our little plans and designs. More and more we became
interested in seeing what we could contribute to life. As we felt new
power flow in, as we enjoyed peace of mind, as we discovered we could
face life successfully, as we became conscious of His presence, we began
to lose our fear of today, tomorrow or the hereafter. We were reborn. </u></p><p> Step 4: <b><i>We have listed and analyzed our resentments.</i></b> <u>We have begun to
comprehend their futility and the fatality.</u> <u>We have commenced to see
their terrible destructiveness. We have begun to learn tolerance,
patience and good will toward all men, even our enemies, for we look on
them as sick people.</u> We have listed the people we have hurt by our
conduct, and are willing to straighten out the past if we can. </p><p>Step 5: <u>We can look the world in the eye. We can be alone at perfect
peace and ease. Our fears fall from us. We begin to feel the nearness
of our Creator. We may have had certain spiritual beliefs, but now we
begin to have a spiritual experience. The filling that the drink
problem has disappeared will often come strongly. We feel we are on the
Broad Highway, walking hand in hand with the Spirit of the Universe. </u></p><p>Step 9: <b><i>If we are painstaking about this phase of our development</i></b><u>, we
will be amazed before we are halfway through. We are going to know a new
freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to
shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will
know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see
how our experience can benefit others. The feeling of uselessness and
self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and
gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole
attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and economic
insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle
situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is
doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.</u> </p><p>Step 10: <u> And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone - even alcohol.
For by this time sanity will have returned. We will seldom be
interested in liquor. If tempted, we recoil from it as from a hot
flame. We react sanely and normally, and we will find that this has
happened automatically. We will see that our new attitude toward liquor
has been given to us without any thought or effort on our part. It just
comes! That is the miracle of it. We are not fighting it, neither are
we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had been placed in a
position of neutrality - safe and protected. We have not even sworn off.
Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. We
are neither cocky nor are we afraid. That is our experience. That is
how we react so long as we keep in fit spiritual condition.”</u></p><p>11th Step: <i><b>We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer
running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each
day “Thy will be done.</b></i>’’ <u>We are then in much less
danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish
decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so
easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did
when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves. </u></p>8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-53405655332573298122021-05-20T22:00:00.021+07:002022-02-12T10:01:11.459+07:00AA 12 step program directions and supporting information from the book "Alcoholics Anonymous"<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">12 step directions, information and promises as found in the book "Alcoholics Anonymous"</span><br /></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Key: <u>Directions are underlined</u>. </b></span><br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><b>Step 1: Information/Directions:</b></span> <b>Chapters: "Doctors Opinion", "Bills Story",</b> "<b>There is a Solution" (up to pg 25) and "More about Alcoholism</b>". The reader should study these chapters to fully understand what AA says alcoholism is and to identify if they have the same problem. Once understood the reader should then be able to make a determination if they are alcoholic or not. If the reader identifies as alcoholic they can then take the step one direction below.<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1st step direction: Page 30:</b> <u><span style="left: 138.333px; top: 478.285px; transform: scaleX(0.755838);">We learned that we had to fully concede to our in</span><span style="left: 118.333px; top: 502.618px; transform: scaleX(0.797235);">nermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the</span><span style="left: 118.333px; top: 526.951px; transform: scaleX(0.787678);"> first step in recovery. The delusion that we are like</span><span style="left: 118.333px; top: 551.285px; transform: scaleX(0.828663);"> other people, or pr</span><span style="left: 276.916px; top: 551.285px; transform: scaleX(0.816905);">esently may be, has to be smashed.</span></u></span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Step 2: Information/Directions: Chapters: "There is a Solution" (from page 25 on) and "</b></span><b><span style="font-size: small;">We Agnostics"</span></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Direction 1:</b> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 118.398px; top: 429.065px; transform: scaleX(0.765072);">Pg 46: <u>We found that as soon as we were able to </u></span><u><span style="left: 118.398px; top: 453.398px; transform: scaleX(0.767283);">lay aside prejudice and express even a willingness to</span><span style="left: 118.398px; top: 477.732px; transform: scaleX(0.791868);"> believe in a Power gr</span><span style="left: 308.416px; top: 477.732px; transform: scaleX(0.79217);">eater than ourselves, we com</span><span style="left: 118.398px; top: 502.065px; transform: scaleX(0.76232);">menced to get r</span><span style="left: 255.562px; top: 502.065px; transform: scaleX(0.765594);">esults, even though it was impossible </span><span style="left: 118.398px; top: 526.398px; transform: scaleX(0.839216);">for any of us to fully define or comprehend that </span><span style="left: 118.398px; top: 550.732px; transform: scaleX(0.776179);">Power, which is God.</span></u></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 118.398px; top: 550.732px; transform: scaleX(0.776179);"><b>Direction 2</b> Page 47:<u> </u></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 118.398px; top: 550.732px; transform: scaleX(0.776179);"><u><span style="left: 110.065px; top: 404.731px;">W</span><span style="left: 127.843px; top: 404.731px; transform: scaleX(0.821186);">e needed to ask ourselves but one short question.</span><span style="left: 90.065px; top: 429.064px; transform: scaleX(0.793194);">“Do I now believe, or am I even willing to believe,</span></u><span style="left: 90.065px; top: 453.398px; transform: scaleX(0.773579);"><u>that there is a Power greater than myself?’’</u> </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 118.398px; top: 550.732px; transform: scaleX(0.776179);"><span style="left: 90.065px; top: 453.398px; transform: scaleX(0.773579);">(promise) As soon </span><span style="left: 90.065px; top: 477.731px; transform: scaleX(0.738992);">as a man can say that he does believe, or is willing to</span><span style="left: 90.065px; top: 502.064px; transform: scaleX(0.760859);"> believe, we emphatically assure him that he is on his </span><span style="left: 90.065px; top: 526.398px; transform: scaleX(0.779703);">way</span><span style="left: 120.036px; top: 526.398px; transform: scaleX(0.817243);">. </span> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="left: 118.398px; top: 550.732px; transform: scaleX(0.776179);"><b>Conditions and promise:</b> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 118.398px; top: 550.732px; transform: scaleX(0.776179);"><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 118.398px; top: 671.905px; transform: scaleX(0.791505);">As soon as we admitted the possible existence of a</span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 118.398px; top: 696.239px; transform: scaleX(0.778351);"> Creative Intelligence, a Spirit of the Universe under-</span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 118.398px; top: 720.572px; transform: scaleX(0.757449);">lying the totality of things, we began to be possessed </span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 118.398px; top: 744.906px; transform: scaleX(0.77768);">of a new sense of power and direction, provided we</span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 118.398px; top: 769.239px; transform: scaleX(0.766555);"> took other simple steps. </span> </span> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Step 3</span></b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 136.159px; top: 597.546px; transform: scaleX(0.795348);"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>: Chapter: "How it Works" pages 60 - 63</b></span><b> </b></span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 136.159px; top: 597.546px; transform: scaleX(0.795348);"><b>Direction 1: </b>Pg 60 - Being convinced, </span><span style="left: 289.581px; top: 597.546px; transform: scaleX(0.757609);">we were at Step Three, </span><span style="left: 497.861px; top: 597.546px; transform: scaleX(0.761459);">which is </span><span style="left: 116.157px; top: 621.88px; transform: scaleX(0.759213);">that we decided to turn our will and our life over to </span><span style="left: 116.157px; top: 646.214px; transform: scaleX(0.833873);">God as we understood Him. Just what do we mean by </span><span style="left: 116.157px; top: 670.549px; transform: scaleX(0.73044);">that, and just what do we do? </span><u><span style="left: 136.157px; top: 694.882px; transform: scaleX(0.763928);">The first requirement is that we be convinced that </span></u><u><span style="left: 116.157px; top: 719.217px; transform: scaleX(0.76993);">any life run on self-will can hardly be a success.</span></u></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 116.157px; top: 719.217px; transform: scaleX(0.76993);"><b>Directions 2 & 3: Pg 62</b> - </span><span style="left: 136.16px; top: 694.887px; transform: scaleX(0.829176);">This is the how and why of it.<u> First of all, we had to </u></span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 719.221px; transform: scaleX(0.806522);"><u>quit playing God.</u> It didn’t work. <u> Next, we decided </u></span><u><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 743.556px; transform: scaleX(0.749101);">that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 767.89px; transform: scaleX(0.846164);">be our Director. He is the Principal; we are His </span></u><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 792.224px; transform: scaleX(0.802449);"><u>agents. He is the Father, and we are His children. </u> </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 816.558px; transform: scaleX(0.746181);">Most good ideas are simple, and this concept was the </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 840.892px; transform: scaleX(0.819602);">keystone of the new and triumphant arch through </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 865.227px; transform: scaleX(0.752423);">which we passed to freedom. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 865.227px; transform: scaleX(0.752423);"><b>Prayer/direction:</b> <b>pg 63</b> -<u> </u></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 865.227px; transform: scaleX(0.752423);"><u><span style="left: 107.826px; top: 378.542px; transform: scaleX(0.830759);">Many of us said to our </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 402.876px; transform: scaleX(0.818468);">Maker, </span></u><span style="left: 151.404px; top: 402.876px; transform: scaleX(0.820529);"><u>as we understood Him</u>: </span><span style="left: 349.316px; top: 402.876px; transform: scaleX(0.849558);">“God, I offer myself to </span><span style="left: 87.824px; top: 427.21px; transform: scaleX(0.782536);">Thee—to build with me and to do with me as Thou </span><span style="left: 87.824px; top: 451.544px; transform: scaleX(0.793574);">wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may </span><span style="left: 87.824px; top: 475.879px; transform: scaleX(0.817554);">better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that </span><span style="left: 87.824px; top: 500.213px; transform: scaleX(0.761968);">victory over them may bear witness to those I would </span><span style="left: 87.824px; top: 524.547px; transform: scaleX(0.800202);">help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. </span><span style="left: 87.824px; top: 548.881px; transform: scaleX(0.787934);">May I do Thy will always!’’ </span> </span></span></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 865.227px; transform: scaleX(0.752423);">Condition and Promises: pg 63 - </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 865.227px; transform: scaleX(0.752423);"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span dir="ltr" style="left: 107.826px; top: 86.0381px; transform: scaleX(0.831087);">When we sincerely took such a position, all sorts of </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 87.8262px; top: 110.372px; transform: scaleX(0.766367);">remarkable things followed. We had a new Employer. </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 87.8262px; top: 134.707px; transform: scaleX(0.784921);">Being all powerful, He provided what we needed, if </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 87.8262px; top: 159.041px; transform: scaleX(0.775064);">we kept close to Him and performed His work well. </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 87.8262px; top: 183.375px; transform: scaleX(0.817062);">Established on such a footing we became less and less </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 87.8262px; top: 207.709px; transform: scaleX(0.789515);">interested in ourselves, our little plans and designs. </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 87.8262px; top: 232.043px; transform: scaleX(0.758468);">More and more we became interested in seeing what </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 87.8262px; top: 256.378px; transform: scaleX(0.813432);">we could contribute to life. As we felt new power </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 87.8262px; top: 280.712px; transform: scaleX(0.809853);">flow in, as we enjoyed peace of mind, as we discovered </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 87.8262px; top: 305.046px; transform: scaleX(0.818154);">we could face life successfully, as we became con</span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 87.8262px; top: 329.38px; transform: scaleX(0.764405);">scious of His presence, we began to lose our fear of </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 87.8262px; top: 353.714px; transform: scaleX(0.760035);">today, tomorrow or the hereafter. We were reborn. </span></span> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 865.227px; transform: scaleX(0.752423);"><i><b>Preparation and explanation of importance of step 4</b></i> <br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 107.824px; top: 840.892px; transform: scaleX(0.799002);"><b>Last paragraph pg 63 -</b> Next we launched out on a course of vigorous action, </span><span style="left: 87.824px; top: 865.226px; transform: scaleX(0.795996);">the first step of which is a personal housecleaning, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 86.5322px; transform: scaleX(0.779975);">which many of us had never attempted. Though our </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 110.866px; transform: scaleX(0.802169);">decision was a vital and crucial step, it could have little </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 135.201px; transform: scaleX(0.783463);">permanent effect unless at once followed by a stren</span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 159.535px; transform: scaleX(0.844721);">uous effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in our</span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 183.869px; transform: scaleX(0.798228);">selves which had been blocking us. Our liquor was </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 208.203px; transform: scaleX(0.736048);">but a symptom. So we had to get down to causes and </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 232.537px; transform: scaleX(0.80873);">conditions.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><b>Step 4: <span></span>Chapter "How it Works"</b> pages 6</span>4-71</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">Directions for the Resentment Inventory: </span></b></i><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 743.556px; transform: scaleX(0.8407);">Column 1: pg 64 - </span></span><u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 743.556px; transform: scaleX(0.8407);">In dealing </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 767.89px; transform: scaleX(0.799581);">with resentments, we set them on paper. We listed </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 792.224px; transform: scaleX(0.768578);">people, institutions or principles with whom we were </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 816.558px; transform: scaleX(0.817312);">angry.</span></span></u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 816.558px; transform: scaleX(0.817312);"> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 816.558px; transform: scaleX(0.817312);">Column 2: pg 64 - </span></span><u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 816.558px; transform: scaleX(0.817312);">We asked ourselves why we were angry. </span></span></u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 816.558px; transform: scaleX(0.817312);">Column 3: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 816.558px; transform: scaleX(0.817312);"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 816.558px; transform: scaleX(0.817312);">pages 64 - 65</span></span></span> </span></span><u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 816.558px; transform: scaleX(0.817312);">In </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 840.892px; transform: scaleX(0.824533);">most cases it was found that our self-esteem, our </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 865.227px; transform: scaleX(0.807387);">pocketbooks, our ambitions, our personal relationships </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 86.5315px; transform: scaleX(0.770891);">(including sex) were hurt or threatened. So we were </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 111.133px; transform: scaleX(0.750592);">sore. We were “burned up.’’ </span><span style="left: 107.826px; top: 135.735px; transform: scaleX(0.760073);">On our grudge list we set opposite each name our </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 160.337px; transform: scaleX(0.778169);">injuries. Was it our self-esteem, our security, our am</span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 184.939px; transform: scaleX(0.819109);">bitions, our personal, or sex relations, which had been </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);">interfered with? </span></span></u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 107.826px; top: 413.661px; transform: scaleX(0.823248);">Unofficial Column 4: pg 67 </span><u><span style="left: 107.826px; top: 413.661px; transform: scaleX(0.823248);">Referring to our list again. Putting out of our minds </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 438.825px; transform: scaleX(0.75734);">the wrongs others had done, we resolutely looked for </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 463.988px; transform: scaleX(0.809937);">our own mistakes. Where had we been selfish, dis</span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 489.152px; transform: scaleX(0.80146);">honest, self-seeking and frightened? Though a situa</span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 514.316px; transform: scaleX(0.843803);">tion had not been entirely our fault, we tried to </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 539.48px; transform: scaleX(0.79914);">disregard the other person involved entirely. Where </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 564.644px; transform: scaleX(0.78087);">were we to blame? The inventory was ours, not the </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 589.807px; transform: scaleX(0.753919);">other man’s. When we saw our faults we listed them. </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 614.971px; transform: scaleX(0.809858);">We placed them before us in black and white. We </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 640.135px; transform: scaleX(0.756495);">admitted our wrongs honestly and were willing to set </span></u><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 665.299px; transform: scaleX(0.745286);"><u>these matters straight. </u></span></span><br /></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1st Resentment solution: bottom of pg 66</b><br /></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This was our course: We realized that the people who wronged us were perhaps spiritually sick. Though we did not like their symptoms and the way these disturbed us, they, like ourselves, were sick too.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 767.89px; transform: scaleX(0.836429);"><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 20px; left: 116.16px; top: 864.733px; transform: scaleX(0.821071);"><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 20px; left: 87.8262px; top: 111.202px; transform: scaleX(0.749247);"> </span></span>We saw that </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 792.224px; transform: scaleX(0.799791);">these resentments must be mastered, but how? We </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 816.558px; transform: scaleX(0.747634);">could not wish them away any more than alcohol. </span></span></span><u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 136.16px; top: 840.892px; transform: scaleX(0.788355);"></span></span></span></u></span></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Resentment Prayer:</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 111.695px; transform: scaleX(0.749247);"> </span></span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 136.859px; transform: scaleX(0.775645);">We asked God to help us show them the same toler</span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 162.023px; transform: scaleX(0.835326);">ance, pity, and patience that we would cheerfully </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 187.187px; transform: scaleX(0.76623);">grant a sick friend. When a person offended we said </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 212.35px; transform: scaleX(0.822225);">to ourselves, “This is a sick man. How can I be helpful </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 237.514px; transform: scaleX(0.777941);">to him? God save me from being angry. Thy will be </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);">done.</span></span></span></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><b>Fear Inventory: </b>Information starting last paragraph on pg 67</span></span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><span style="left: 136.16px; top: 135.201px; transform: scaleX(0.839295);"> </span></span></span></span></span></li></ul><div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 305.54px; transform: scaleX(0.738384);"><span style="left: 107.826px; top: 690.463px; transform: scaleX(0.776938);"><b>Advice:</b> Notice that the word “fear’’ is bracketed alongside the </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 715.626px; transform: scaleX(0.834592);">difficulties with Mr. Brown, Mrs. Jones, the employer, </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 740.79px; transform: scaleX(0.823336);">and the wife. This short word somehow touches about </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 765.954px; transform: scaleX(0.738178);">every aspect of our lives. It was an evil and corroding </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 791.118px; transform: scaleX(0.775951);">thread; the fabric of our existence was shot through </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 816.282px; transform: scaleX(0.746938);">with it. It set in motion trains of circumstances which </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 841.445px; transform: scaleX(0.763583);">brought us misfortune we felt we didn’t deserve.</span></span></span></span><b><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 841.445px; transform: scaleX(0.763583);"> But </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 866.609px; transform: scaleX(0.75545);">did not we, ourselves, set the ball rolling?</span></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><span style="left: 136.16px; top: 135.201px; transform: scaleX(0.839295);"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><span style="left: 136.16px; top: 135.201px; transform: scaleX(0.839295);"><b>Directions page 68: </b></span></span></span></span></span><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><span style="left: 136.16px; top: 135.201px; transform: scaleX(0.839295);"><b>1) <u>We reviewed our fears thoroughly</u>.</b> <u>We put them on </u></span><u><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 159.535px; transform: scaleX(0.774753);">paper, even though we had no resentment in connec</span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 183.869px; transform: scaleX(0.843499);">tion with them. </span></u></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><b><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 183.869px; transform: scaleX(0.843499);">2) <u>We asked ourselves why we had </u></span></b><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 208.203px; transform: scaleX(0.78912);"><u><b>them</b></u>. Wasn’t it because self-reliance failed us? Self-</span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 232.537px; transform: scaleX(0.819764);">reliance was good as far as it went, but it didn’t go far </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 256.872px; transform: scaleX(0.793591);">enough. Some of us once had great self-confidence, </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 281.206px; transform: scaleX(0.826272);">but it didn’t fully solve the fear problem, or any other. </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 305.54px; transform: scaleX(0.738384);">When it made us cocky, it was worse. </span></span></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 305.54px; transform: scaleX(0.738384);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 841.445px; transform: scaleX(0.763583);"><b>3) Unofficial third column questions concluded from the text:</b> </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 866.609px; transform: scaleX(0.75545);"><u>How did I set the ball rolling? What character defects had me make decisions that put myself in situations to be fearful. Where was I playing God? How was I relying on myself? Where did I NOT ask for help from others? </u>These questions come from this part of the text: </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 305.54px; transform: scaleX(0.738384);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 866.609px; transform: scaleX(0.75545);"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 305.54px; transform: scaleX(0.738384);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 841.445px; transform: scaleX(0.763583);">But </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 866.609px; transform: scaleX(0.75545);">did not we, ourselves, set the ball rolling? and also </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><i><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 305.54px; transform: scaleX(0.738384);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 866.609px; transform: scaleX(0.75545);"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 305.54px; transform: scaleX(0.738384);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 866.609px; transform: scaleX(0.75545);"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 208.203px; transform: scaleX(0.78912);">Wasn’t it because self-reliance failed us?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 305.54px; transform: scaleX(0.738384);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 866.609px; transform: scaleX(0.75545);"><span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 305.54px; transform: scaleX(0.738384);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 866.609px; transform: scaleX(0.75545);"><span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 208.203px; transform: scaleX(0.78912);"><b>Fear Solution:</b> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 305.54px; transform: scaleX(0.738384);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 866.609px; transform: scaleX(0.75545);"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 305.54px; transform: scaleX(0.738384);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 866.609px; transform: scaleX(0.75545);"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 208.203px; transform: scaleX(0.78912);"><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 136.16px; top: 329.381px; transform: scaleX(0.836699);">Perhaps there is a better way—we think so. For we </span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 116.16px; top: 353.715px; transform: scaleX(0.73932);">are now on a different basis; the basis of trusting and </span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 116.16px; top: 378.049px; transform: scaleX(0.786076);">relying upon God. We trust infinite God rather than </span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 116.16px; top: 402.383px; transform: scaleX(0.743579);">our finite selves. We are in the world to play the role </span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 116.16px; top: 426.718px; transform: scaleX(0.744009);">He assigns. <u> Just to the extent that we do as we think </u></span><u><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 116.16px; top: 451.052px; transform: scaleX(0.848082);">He would have us, and humbly rely on Him, does He </span><span dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 116.16px; top: 475.386px; transform: scaleX(0.74877);">enable us to match calamity with serenity. </span></u></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 305.54px; transform: scaleX(0.738384);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 866.609px; transform: scaleX(0.75545);"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 305.54px; transform: scaleX(0.738384);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 866.609px; transform: scaleX(0.75545);"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 208.203px; transform: scaleX(0.78912);"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);">Sex Inventory:</span></span></b></span></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><b>Preparation advice:</b> <b>Last paragraph on Pg 68 to middle of 69</b><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><b>Directions: Page 69 -</b> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><u><span style="left: 107.826px; top: 354.208px; transform: scaleX(0.760518);">We reviewed our own conduct over the years past. </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 378.542px; transform: scaleX(0.786286);">Where had we been selfish, dishonest, or inconsider</span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 402.876px; transform: scaleX(0.764225);">ate? Whom had we hurt? Did we unjustifiably arouse </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 427.21px; transform: scaleX(0.789822);">jealousy, suspicion or bitterness? Where were we at </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 451.544px; transform: scaleX(0.752015);">fault, what should we have done instead? We got this </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 475.879px; transform: scaleX(0.734754);">all down on paper and looked at it. </span><span style="left: 107.826px; top: 500.213px; transform: scaleX(0.811277);">In this way we tried to shape a sane and sound ideal </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 524.547px; transform: scaleX(0.764783);">for our future sex life. We subjected each relation to </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 548.881px; transform: scaleX(0.831263);">this test—was it selfish or not? We asked God to mold </span></u><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 573.215px; transform: scaleX(0.85155);"><u>our ideals and help us to live up to them.</u> We remem</span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 597.55px; transform: scaleX(0.820415);">bered always that our sex powers were God-given and </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 621.884px; transform: scaleX(0.76581);">therefore good, neither to be used lightly or selfishly </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 646.218px; transform: scaleX(0.746745);">nor to be despised and loathed. </span> </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 209.541px; transform: scaleX(0.77002);"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 262.678px; transform: scaleX(0.790159);"><b>Directions concerning creating a sex ideal for our lives:</b> </span></span><span style="left: 107.826px; top: 500.213px; transform: scaleX(0.811277);">I<u>n this way we tried to shape a sane and sound ideal </u></span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 524.547px; transform: scaleX(0.764783);"><u>for our future sex life</u>. <u>We subjected each relation to </u></span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 548.881px; transform: scaleX(0.831263);"><u>this test—was it selfish or not?</u> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 548.881px; transform: scaleX(0.831263);"><b>Sex ideal Prayer:</b> We asked God to mold </span><span style="left: 87.8262px; top: 573.215px; transform: scaleX(0.85155);">our ideals and help us to live up to them. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 136.16px; top: 427.211px; transform: scaleX(0.805159);"><b>Sex Relations Prayer: </b>We earnestly pray for the </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 451.545px; transform: scaleX(0.802658);">right ideal, for guidance in each questionable situa</span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 475.879px; transform: scaleX(0.777912);">tion, for sanity, and for the strength to do the right </span><span style="left: 116.16px; top: 500.214px; transform: scaleX(0.764311);">thing. </span></span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Step 5: </span></b><span> <b>Chapter "Into Action" pages 70-75</b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Directions:</b> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="left: 111.702px; top: 138.8px; transform: scaleX(0.83213);">When we decide who is to hear our story, we waste </span></u><span style="left: 91.7023px; top: 163.134px; transform: scaleX(0.844536);"><u>no time.</u> <u>We have a written inventory and we are pre</u></span><span style="left: 91.7023px; top: 187.468px; transform: scaleX(0.747198);"><u>pared for a long talk</u>. We explain to our partner what </span><span style="left: 91.7023px; top: 211.802px; transform: scaleX(0.794147);">we are about to do and why we have to do it. He </span><span style="left: 91.7023px; top: 236.137px; transform: scaleX(0.78824);">should realize that we are engaged upon a life-and-</span><span style="left: 91.7023px; top: 260.471px; transform: scaleX(0.811699);">death errand. Most people approached in this way </span><span style="left: 91.7023px; top: 284.805px; transform: scaleX(0.821553);">will be glad to help; they will be honored by our </span><span style="left: 91.7023px; top: 309.139px; transform: scaleX(0.814473);">confidence. </span><u><span style="left: 111.702px; top: 333.473px; transform: scaleX(0.822536);">We pocket our pride and go to it, illuminating every </span><span style="left: 91.7023px; top: 357.808px; transform: scaleX(0.815862);">twist of character, every dark cranny of the past.</span></u></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 91.7023px; top: 357.808px; transform: scaleX(0.815862);">5th step Promises:</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 20px; left: 91.7023px; top: 357.808px; transform: scaleX(0.815862);"> <span style="font-size: small;">Once </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="left: 91.7023px; top: 382.142px; transform: scaleX(0.762859);">we have taken this step, withholding nothing, we are </span><span style="left: 91.7023px; top: 406.476px; transform: scaleX(0.76238);">delighted. We can look the world in the eye. We can </span><span style="left: 91.7023px; top: 430.81px; transform: scaleX(0.814337);">be alone at perfect peace and ease. Our fears fall from </span><span style="left: 91.7023px; top: 455.144px; transform: scaleX(0.757558);">us. We begin to feel the nearness of our Creator. We </span><span style="left: 91.7023px; top: 479.479px; transform: scaleX(0.830285);">may have had certain spiritual beliefs, but now we be</span><span style="left: 91.7023px; top: 503.813px; transform: scaleX(0.799711);">gin to have a spiritual experience. The feeling that </span><span style="left: 91.7023px; top: 528.147px; transform: scaleX(0.802171);">the drink problem has disappeared will often come </span><span style="left: 91.7023px; top: 552.481px; transform: scaleX(0.853304);">strongly. We feel we are on the Broad Highway, </span><span style="left: 91.7023px; top: 576.815px; transform: scaleX(0.747045);">walking hand in hand with the Spirit of the Universe. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Step 6:</b> pg 76 - </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span dir="ltr" style="left: 140.036px; top: 89.6388px; transform: scaleX(0.812137);">If we can answer to our satisfaction, we then look at </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.036px; top: 113.973px; transform: scaleX(0.806012);">Step Six. </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 198.058px; top: 113.973px; transform: scaleX(0.832402);">We have emphasized willingness as being in</span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.036px; top: 138.307px; transform: scaleX(0.813533);">dispensable. Are we now ready to let God remove </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.036px; top: 162.641px; transform: scaleX(0.833825);">from us all the things which we have admitted are ob</span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.036px; top: 186.976px; transform: scaleX(0.794585);">jectionable? Can He now take them all—every one? </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.036px; top: 211.31px; transform: scaleX(0.77404);">If we still cling to something we will not let go, we </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.036px; top: 235.644px; transform: scaleX(0.73634);">ask God to help us be willing. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Step 7:</b> pg 76 - </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span dir="ltr" style="left: 140.036px; top: 259.978px; transform: scaleX(0.785568);">When ready, we say something like this: “My Cre</span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.036px; top: 284.312px; transform: scaleX(0.714322);">ator, I am </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 207.88px; top: 284.312px; transform: scaleX(0.743469);">now willing that you should have all of me, </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.036px; top: 308.647px; transform: scaleX(0.768617);">good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.036px; top: 332.981px; transform: scaleX(0.780631);">every single defect of character which stands in the </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.036px; top: 357.315px; transform: scaleX(0.78847);">way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.036px; top: 381.649px; transform: scaleX(0.813656);">me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.036px; top: 405.983px; transform: scaleX(0.769693);">Amen.’’ We have then completed </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 405.553px; top: 405.983px; transform: scaleX(0.733272);">Step Seven. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Step 8 and 9:</b> pages 76-84 <span dir="ltr" style="left: 260.31px; top: 478.986px; transform: scaleX(0.728112);"> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span dir="ltr" style="left: 260.31px; top: 478.986px; transform: scaleX(0.728112);"><b>Step 8 Direction 1: </b><u>We have a list of all persons we have </u></span><u><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.036px; top: 503.32px; transform: scaleX(0.831665);">harmed and to whom we are willing to make amends. </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.036px; top: 527.654px; transform: scaleX(0.806839);">We made it when we took inventory. </span></u></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.036px; top: 527.654px; transform: scaleX(0.806839);"><b>Step 8 Direction 2:</b> (found in the summary of the steps) - </span></span><u><span style="font-size: small;"><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.036px; top: 527.654px; transform: scaleX(0.806839);"><span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 182.783px; top: 123.067px; transform: scaleX(0.841268);">Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became</span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 644.453px; top: 123.067px; transform: scaleX(0.842622);"> willing to make amends to </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120px; top: 157.467px; transform: scaleX(0.838627);">them all. </span></span></span></span></u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Step 9:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Directions</b>: <u>All of text from the middle of page 76 to the bottom of page 83.</u></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>9th Step promises:</b> Start on bottom of pg 83 ending in the middle of pg 84 "They will always materialize if we work for them."<u><br /></u></span></span></p></div><div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Step 10: Information: middle of pages 84 to end of page 85 </b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Directions: </span></b><br /><u><span style="font-size: small;"><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.038px; top: 624.991px; transform: scaleX(0.833493);">Continue to watch </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.038px; top: 649.325px; transform: scaleX(0.809011);">for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.038px; top: 673.66px; transform: scaleX(0.768671);">these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.038px; top: 697.994px; transform: scaleX(0.817539);">We discuss them with someone immediately and make </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.038px; top: 722.328px; transform: scaleX(0.77353);">amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Then we </span><span dir="ltr" style="left: 120.038px; top: 746.662px; transform: scaleX(0.754177);">resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help.</span></span></u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Step 10 promises</b>: And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone – even alcohol. For by this time sanity will have returned. We will seldom be interested in liquor. If tempted, we recoil from it as from a hot flame. We react sanely and normally, and we will find that this has happened automatically. We will see that our new attitude toward liquor has been given us without any thought or effort on our part. It just comes!That is the miracle of it. We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we have been placed in a position of neutrality – safe and protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. We are neither cocky nor are we afraid. That is our experience. That is how we react so long as we keep in fit spiritual condition.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Step 11:</b> pages 85-88 click here for a full <a href="https://neweraspiritual.blogspot.com/2012/03/aas-morning-and-evening-meditation.html" target="_blank">break down of the 11th morning meditation step</a>. <a href="https://neweraspiritual.blogspot.com/2012/02/aas-morning-and-evening-meditation.html" target="_blank">Full breakdown of the 11th step evening meditation here.</a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>11th step promise: </b>We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear,
anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions. We become much
more efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not
burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to
arrange life to suit ourselves. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Step 12:</b> Directions are more or less the entire chapter titled "Working with Others" pages 89-103</span></span></p></div>8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-53898759055007624362020-07-21T18:56:00.000+07:002020-07-22T00:12:17.194+07:00Use of profanity in meetings. Acceptable or not? Tolerated or not?Profanity in the AA fellowship? Acceptable or Not? An essay illustrating the importance of creating a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for the new commer. <br />
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Since about 1993 I've attended AA meetings. Inevitably there are some shares that contain profanity. Occasional profanity is tough to avoid and even with an announcement that it's discouraged in the meeting people will slip. Of course this is understandable. In some cases profanity is not just occasional but consistent. I believe excessive use of profanity, talk of politics, sexual innuendo and other "hot topics" are detrimental to the atmosphere and primary purpose of the AA fellowship and should be discouraged wherever possible.<br />
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AA's primary purpose is to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers. In most cases these are people new to AA. Mainly people who have never been to an AA meeting or in their first 30 days of abstinence. Our primary purpose is to carry the message of AA.<b> Abstinence from alcohol by recovery from alcoholism through a spiritual awakening brought about by practice of the 12 steps. </b><br />
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AA meetings should, wherever possible, make the newcomer welcome and comfortable without being singled out or put on the spot. We must make our best effort to behave in a manner which everyone commonly agrees would most likely be welcoming and comforting to all who may enter. We can't cater to every personality but we can do our best to cater to most. During meetings, we who have recovered or are in the process of recovering, attempting to be responsible AA members, should demonstrate the spiritual awaking we have achieved or are in the midst of achieving through our behavior and our words.<br />
Sharing our experience strength and hope can easily be done with out expletives, profanity, sexual innuendo or bringing up polarizing political stances or issues.<br />
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How does one demonstrate that they have achieved a spiritual awakening and a connection to a Power Greater than themselves through their behavior and words? I have been taught (and most Big Book students would agree) that spirituality revolves around one single and important concept - selflessness. Page 62 of the AA book highlights a very important AA concept.<br />
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<u><i>Selfishness - self-centeredness! That, we think, is the
root of our troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusi<span style="background-color: white;"></span>on,
self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and
they retaliate.</i></u><br />
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If selfishness is the root of our troubles <b>selflessness</b> is surely the solution.<u><i><br /></i></u><br />
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So ultimately selflessness is the essence of spirituality. All manifestations of selflessness in how we behave and in our words are Gods will for us. In Step 6 when we prepare to change and move away from letting character defects rule our behavior we make a concerted effort using OUR WILL to change. Where I may have been dishonest, be honest. Where I was selfish be more selfless. Where I may have been inconsiderate be more considerate. Where I have hated try to love (sound familiar) The 11th step prayer is a good practical example of how to behave spiritually. <br />
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From selflessness grows concern for others, tolerance of others, love for others and RESPECT of others. Use of profanity, sexual innuendo, borderline hate speech, politics or other polarizing topics in meetings jeopardizes are efforts at being respectful and considerate of others feelings, sensitivities, moods etc..<br />
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New alcoholics are very sick, skeptical and fragile people. We must do our best to NOT ALIENATE anyone sensitive to profanity, politics, use of sexual innuendo and the like to make our AA meetings the most welcoming and comfortable as possible to anyone who may be at their first AA meeting, new to AA or even new to our group. Our demonstration of spirituality is much more powerful than our talk of spirituality.<br />
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We ought to discourage profanity, talk of politics, sexual innuendo or any other polarizing hot topics which may alienate others in an effort to make our meetings comfortable and welcoming to all who may attend.<br />
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<br />8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-47861411285227087272020-02-16T16:54:00.000+07:002020-02-16T17:02:45.223+07:0011th Step Workshop Web Links<h3>
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Web Links to all the Chris S. 11th Step Workshop Information and Documents.</h3>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NWsg0g0LHJZZSZ63zktSrZ97TM8bDrVM?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Go Here To Get All 11th Step Workshop PDF documents</a><br />
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https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NWsg0g0LHJZZSZ63zktSrZ97TM8bDrVM?usp=sharing<br />
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<a href="https://neweraspiritual.blogspot.com/2020/02/11-step-workshop-outline.html" target="_blank">Review of the AA program up to step 11</a><br />
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https://neweraspiritual.blogspot.com/2020/02/11-step-workshop-outline.html<br />
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<a href="https://neweraspiritual.blogspot.com/2012/02/aas-morning-and-evening-meditation.html" target="_blank">Eleventh Step Evening Review directiions pg 86 Alcoholics Anonymous</a><br />
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https://neweraspiritual.blogspot.com/2012/02/aas-morning-and-evening-meditation.html<br />
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<a href="https://neweraspiritual.blogspot.com/2012/03/aas-morning-and-evening-meditation.html" target="_blank">Eleventh Step Morning Mediation Instructions from pages 86,87,88 AA Book</a><br />
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https://neweraspiritual.blogspot.com/2012/03/aas-morning-and-evening-meditation.html<br />
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<a href="https://neweraspiritual.blogspot.com/2016/06/11th-step-morning-meditation-short-guide.html" target="_blank">Morning Meditation Quick Guide</a><br />
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https://neweraspiritual.blogspot.com/2016/06/11th-step-morning-meditation-short-guide.html<br />
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<a href="https://neweraspiritual.blogspot.com/2020/02/eleventh-step-meditation-review-from-12.html" target="_blank">Eleventh Step Meditation Instructions from the Twelve and Twelve Book</a><br />
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https://neweraspiritual.blogspot.com/2020/02/eleventh-step-meditation-review-from-12.html<br />
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<a href="https://neweraspiritual.blogspot.com/2020/02/eleventh-step-guide-to-prayer-as.html" target="_blank">Prayer instructions from the 11th step chapter in the Twelve and Twelve Book</a><br />
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https://neweraspiritual.blogspot.com/2020/02/eleventh-step-guide-to-prayer-as.html<br />
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<a href="http://silkworth.net/dickb/meditation.html" target="_blank">Meditation in the AA early days</a><br />
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http://silkworth.net/dickb/meditation.html<br />
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<br />8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-50973946945801799152020-02-16T10:50:00.003+07:002021-09-03T23:29:09.646+07:00Acceptance. Can I accept without Gods help? My experience is no.<div class="ifc-chat-window-message-wrapper-compact ifc-chat-window-message ifc-window-message-self role-0 role-bbp_participant role-subscriber ifc-chat-message-sender-id-13606 ifc-chat-window-message-club" style="color: #222222;">
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This idea of acceptance is good. I found I need Gods help to learn to accept. </div>
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The part of the book, that gets talked about a lot in meetings however is not the program, but from one of the stories. So it's been important for me to understand that. Just learning to accept does not make me a recovered alcoholic. I need a spiritual awakening brought about by doing all 12 steps</div>
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Acceptance, I found comes as a result of my relationship with God, not ME learning to accept.</div>
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If we look at the serenity prayer.. what are we really asking God for? </div>
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"Grant me the serenity to accept"</div>
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I need Gods serenity to accept things, because I don't have it within me to completely accept life and all that goes on around me and in the world.</div>
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I am sober a long time, but I can still catch a resentment or get in fear just like anyone else, but I have God and the program to continue to grow towards God to help me.</div>
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So, in prayer and how I live is how God helps me to accept. there are no shortcuts I have found. There are many tricks I can use to stay sober early on in my sobriety like just not drink one day at a time, don't drink even if my butt falls off and trying to remember to call another alcoholic if I feel like drinking. these are all great ideas. Trying to accept is another one. But ultimately I do not have the POWER to stay sober permanently on my own.. that's why I need the program of AA and that's why I need a Higher Power, because I lack power myself<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I am a regular attendee of The Thailand Sobriety Group Online found here. Please visit to attend our daily Zoom meetings:<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i><b><a href="https://www.aathailand.info" target="_blank">https://www.aathailand.info</a> </b></i></h3>
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8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-90279935042490974152020-02-13T12:44:00.001+07:002020-02-20T09:53:24.992+07:00Eleventh Step Guide to Prayer as described in the Book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions<div style="text-align: center;">
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Guide to Prayer from the Twelve and Twelve Book</h3>
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Chapter Step Eleven<br />
Page 102 p2<br />
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<b>Now, what of prayer? Prayer is the raising of the heart and mind to God—and in this sense it includes meditation. How may we go about it? And how does it fit in with meditation? Prayer, as commonly understood, is a petition to God. Having opened our channel as best we can, we try to ask for those right things of which we and others are in the greatest need. And we think that the whole range of our needs is well defined by that part of Step Eleven which says: “...knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.” A request for this fits in any part of our day.<br /> </b><br />
<b>In the morning we think of the hours to come. Perhaps we think of our day’s work and the chances it may afford us to be useful and helpful, or of some special problem that it may bring. Possibly today will see a continuation of a serious and as yet unresolved problem left over from yesterday. Our immediate temptation will be to ask for specific solutions to specific problems, and for the ability to help other people as we have already thought they should be helped. In that case, we are asking God to do it our way. Therefore, we ought to consider each request carefully to see what its real merit is. Even so, when making specific requests, it will be well to add to each one of them this qualification: “...if it be Thy will.” We ask simply that throughout the day God place in us the best understanding of His will that we can have for that day, and that we be given the grace by which we may carry it out. <br /> </b><br />
<b>As the day goes on, we can pause where situations must be met and decisions made, and renew the simple request: “Thy will, not mine, be done.” If at these points our emotional disturbance happens to be great, we will more surely keep our balance, provided we remember, and repeat to ourselves, a particular prayer or phrase that has appealed to us in our reading or meditation. Just saying it over and over will often enable us to clear a channel choked up with anger, fear, frustration, or misunderstanding, and permit us to return to the surest help of all—our search for God’s will, not our own, in the moment of stress. At these critical moments, if we remind ourselves that “it is better to comfort than to be comforted, to understand than to be understood, to love than to be loved,” we will be following the intent of Step Eleven.<br /> </b><br />
<b>Of course, it is reasonable and understandable that the question is often asked: “Why can’t we take a specific and troubling dilemma straight to God, and in prayer secure from Him sure and definite answers to our requests?<br /> </b><br />
<b>”This can be done, but it has hazards. We have seen A.A.’s ask with much earnestness and faith for God’s explicit guidance on matters ranging all the way from a shattering domestic or financial crisis to correcting a minor personal fault, like tardiness. Quite often, however, the thoughts that seem to come from God are not answers at all. They prove to be well-intentioned unconscious rationalizations. The A.A., or indeed any man, who tries to run his life rig-idly by this kind of prayer, by this self-serving demand of God for replies, is a particularly disconcerting individual. To any questioning or criticism of his actions he instantly proffers his reliance upon prayer for guidance in all matters great or small. He may have forgotten the possibility that his own wishful thinking and the human tendency to rationalize have distorted his so-called guidance. With the best of intentions, he tends to force his own will into all sorts of situations and problems with the comfortable assurance that he is acting under God’s specific direction. Under such an illusion, he can of course create great havoc without in the least intending it. <br /> </b><br />
<b>We also fall into another similar temptation. We form ideas as to what we think God’s will is for other people. We say to ourselves, “This one ought to be cured of his fatal malady,” or “That one ought to be relieved of his emotional pain,” and we pray for these specific things. Such prayers, of course, are fundamentally good acts, but often they are based upon a supposition that we know God’s will for the person for whom we pray. This means that side by side with an earnest prayer there can be a certain amount of presumption and conceit in us. It is A.A.’s experience that particularly in these cases we ought to pray that God’s will, whatever it is, be done for others as well as for ourselves. <br /><br /><br />In A.A. we have found that the actual good results of prayer are beyond question. They are matters of knowledge and experience. All those who have persisted have found strength not ordinarily their own. They have found wisdom beyond their usual capability. And they have increasingly found a peace of mind which can stand firm in the face of difficult circumstances.We discover that we do receive guidance for our lives to just about the extent that we stop making demands upon God to give it to us on order and on our terms. Almost any experienced A.A. will tell how his affairs have taken remarkable and unexpected turns for the better as he tried to improve his conscious contact with God. He will also report that out of every season of grief or suffering, when the hand of God seemed heavy or even unjust, new lessons for living were learned, new resources of courage were uncovered, and that finally, inescapably, the conviction came that God does “move in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.</b><br />
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<i>Excerpts from Twelve and Twelve used under AA fair use policy </i><b><br /></b>8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-31568958441121907322020-02-12T13:22:00.003+07:002020-02-16T17:20:13.277+07:00Eleventh step meditation guide from the Twelve and Twelve book chapter "Step Eleven"<h3>
How to Meditate as taken from the AA book "12 steps and 12 Traditions" chapter Step Eleven</h3>
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Twelve and Twelve Page 99:<br />
<b>The actual experience of meditation and prayer across the centuries is, of course, immense. The world’s libraries and places of worship are a treasure trove for all seekers. It is to be hoped that every A.A. who has a religious connection which emphasizes meditation will return to the practice of that devotion as never before. </b><br />
<br />
<i><b>But what about the rest of us who, less fortunate, don’t even know how to begin</b>? </i><b>(this was me)</b><i> </i><br />
<br />
<b>Well, we might start like this. First let’s look at a really good prayer. We won’t have far to seek; the great men and women of all religions have left us a wonderful supply. Here let us consider one that is a classic. Its author was a man who for several hundred years now has been rated as a saint. We won’t be biased or scared off by that fact, because although he was not an alcoholic he did, like us, go through the emotional wringer. And as he came out the other side of that painful experience, this prayer was his expression of what he could then see, feel, and wish to become:</b><br />
<br />
<b>Eleventh Step Prayer: </b><br />
<br />
<b>“Lord, make me a channel of thy peace—that where there is hatred, I may bring love—that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness—that where there is discord, I may bring harmony—that where there is error, I may bring truth—that where there is doubt, I may bring faith—that where there is despair, I may bring hope—that where there are shadows, I may bring light—that where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted—to understand, than to be understood—to love, than to be loved. For it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by for-giving that one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life. Amen.”</b><br />
<br />
<b>As beginners in meditation, we might now re-read this prayer several times very slowly, savoring every word and trying to take in the deep meaning of each phrase and idea. </b><br />
<br />
Here we see how AA suggests to mediate and what their way of mediation is. AA mediation techniques were not taken from the Eastern/Buddhist styles of mediation that became popular in the 1970's. They used biblical mediation practices (refer to the AA mediation history document) The 12 and 12 book was written and published in 1952. So AA's way of meditation is what is known as CONTEMPLATIVE or CONCENTRATIVE * meditation. This is where one concentrates thoughts on a particular idea or concept. Here we see AA suggesting the same in the 12 and 12. They say they concentrate and deeply "take in" the meaning of the prayer and what it says. They use constructive imagination to apply the ideas of the prayer to their daily lives.<br />
<br />
(please see the essay at http://silkworth.net/dickb/meditation.html for excellent information on early AA's meditation techniques)<br />
<br />
A great example of this is from the Book "Dr. Bob and the Good Old Timers." It explains Dr. Bobs meditation practice.<br />
<br />
<b>Dr. Bob’s morning devotion consisted of a short prayer, a 20-minute study of a familiar verse from the Bible, and a quiet period of waiting for directions as to where he, that day, should find use for his talent </b>(Dr. Bob and the Good Old timers, p. 314)<br />
<br />
Twelve and Twelve:<br />
<b>It will help if we can drop all resistance to what our friend says. For in meditation, debate has no place. We rest quietly with the thoughts of someone who knows, so that we may experience and learn. As though lying upon a sunlit beach, let us relax and breathe deeply of the spiritual atmosphere with which the grace of this prayer surrounds us. Let us become willing to partake and be strengthened and lifted up by the sheer spiritual power, beauty, and love of which these magnificent words are the carriers. Let us look now upon the sea and ponder what its mystery is; and let us lift our eyes to the far horizon, beyond which we shall seek all those wonders still unseen.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>“Shucks!” says somebody. “This is nonsense. It isn’t practical. ”When such thoughts break in, we might recall, a little ruefully, how much store we used to set by imagination as it tried to create reality out of bottles. Yes, we reveled in that sort of thinking, didn’t we? And though sober nowadays, don’t we often try to do much the same thing? Perhaps our trouble was not that we used our imagination.<u><i> Perhaps the real trouble was our almost total inability to point imagination toward the right objectives.</i></u> </b><br />
<br />
So again, here we see AA suggesting using our imagination inspired by the 11th step prayer to think about how we ought to conduct ourselves throughout the day. We think about how we should be in our relationships at home, at work and in our dealings with others. All inspired by the 11th step prayer or other spiritual readings. <b><b><br /></b></b><br />
<br />
Twelve and Twelve<b>: </b><br />
<b>There’s nothing the matter with <u><i>constructive imagination</i></u>; all sound achievement rests upon it. After all, no man can build a house until he first envisions a plan for it. Well, meditation is like that, too; it helps to envision our spiritual objective before we try to move toward it. So let’s get back to that sunlit beach—or to the plains or to the mountains, if you prefer.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>When, by such simple devices, we have placed ourselves in a mood in which we can focus undisturbed on <u><i>constructive imagination</i></u>, we might proceed like this: Once more we read our prayer, and again try to see what its inner essence is. We’ll think now about the man who first uttered the prayer. First of all, he wanted to become a “channel.” Then he asked for the grace to bring love, forgiveness, harmony, truth, faith, hope, light, and joy to every human being he could. </b><br />
<br />
<u>This idea of bringing love, forgiveness, harmony, truth, faith, hope, light, and joy to every human being he could is at the core of of AA spirituality. It is in how we behave and how we are with others that our spirituality and doing a Higher Power's will is demonstrated. AA spirituality is very much about <i>Faith without works is dead. </i></u><br />
<br />
From page 99 of the Big Book:<br />
<u><i><b>Now we need more action, without which we find that “<span style="color: red;"><b><u>Faith</u></b></span> without works is dead.” Let’s look at Steps Eight and Nine. </b></i></u><br />
<br />
Twelve and Twelve:<br />
<b>Next came the expression of an aspiration and a hope for himself. He hoped, God willing, that he might be able to find some of these treasures, too. This he would try to do by what he called self-forgetting. What did he mean by “self-forgetting,” and how did he propose to accomplish that? He thought it better to give comfort than to receive it; better to understand than to be understood; better to for-give than to be forgiven.</b><br />
<br />
Here we see another example of what AA spirituality is all about. It's again about our behavior with others. How exactly can I attempt to understand than to be understood? Well, personally I find I used to like to talk a lot. I always wanted everyone to listen to ME! But now, as an AA trying to stay recovered the AA way I try to listen more. I make en effort to listen and understand especially if someone is in distress or upset. I'll listen, then perhaps ask questions. A demonstration of selflessness. This is often very useful in working with sponsees which, of course, another important part of the AA program. The 12th step. <br />
<br />
Twelve and Twelve<br />
<b>This much could be a fragment of what is called meditation, perhaps our very first attempt at a mood, a flier into the realm of spirit, if you like. It ought to be followed by a good look at where we stand now, and a further look at what might happen in our lives were we able to move closer to the ideal we have been trying to glimpse. Meditation is something which can always be further developed. It has no boundaries, either of width or height. Aided by such instruction and example as we can find, it is essentially an individual adventure, something which each one of us works out in his own way. But its object is always the same: to improve our conscious contact with God, with His grace, wisdom, and love. And let’s always remember that meditation is in reality intensely practical. One of its first fruits is emotional balance. With it we can broaden and deepen the channel between ourselves and God as we understand Him.</b><br />
<br />
* Reference Wikipedia:<br />
<br />
In the West, meditation techniques have sometimes been thought of in two broad categories: focused (or concentrative) meditation and open monitoring (or mindfulness) meditation. 8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-33356679078099137912020-02-05T13:13:00.004+07:002020-02-13T10:58:43.721+07:00Eleventh step workshop AA program review up to step eleven.<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Eleventh step workshop AA program overview.</h3>
<ul>
<li>Before we get into how to do the 11th step, let's have a quick review of the first ten steps as described in the book Alcoholics Anonymous to find out exactly why the eleventh step is important why it's suggested to be done everyday morning and evening. </li>
</ul>
First it's important to understand that Alcoholics are powerless to recover from alcoholism by themselves using self discipline. They cannot quit entirely using their own willpower. They've lost control over their drinking. If they did have willpower, by AA's definition they wouldn't be alcoholic. In fact on pages 20-21 this very subject is talked about. The books solution is directed at "real", "true", hopeless and chronic alcoholics. If I had the power to stop drinking on my own I wouldn't need to be here, I wouldn't have needed to do the program. I would not be alcoholic by AA's definition. It would be a matter of just making a decision to moderate or stop altogether and then doing that. The fact is I can't though, and that's what makes me alcoholic.<br />
<br />
AA says alcoholism has two parts:<br />
A) An allergy of the body<br />
B) An obsession of the mind.<br />
<br />
These two things together are the "hopeless state of mind and body" that is referred to in the forward to the first edition of the AA book. Or in other words.. alcoholism.<br />
<br />
<b>We, of Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
By the way, it's good to note that from this excerpt which is at the very beginning of the book, <i>what the exact purpose of the book is</i>. <b><br /></b><br />
<br />
The Book Alcoholics Anonymous, states the two part idea of alcoholism over and over and explains alcoholism in about the first 3rd of pages 1 through 164 of the book along with the Doctors opinion.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The Doctors Opinion chapter explains the allergy of the body and phenomenon of craving part of alcoholism. </li>
<li>The first part of the chapter "There is a Solution" and all of "More about Alcoholism" explain the obsession of the mind second part of alcoholism. </li>
</ul>
<br />
Here are few excerpts, this is from page 44:<br />
<br />
<i>"If, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit entirely, or if when drinking, you have little control over the amount you take, you are probably alcoholic.<span style="font-family: serif; font-size: 20px; left: 118.398px; top: 388.707px; transform: scalex(0.793977);">"</span></i><br />
<br />
Also on pg 30: <i>"We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking. We know that no real alcoholic ever recovers contro</i>l.<br />
<br />
Except in a few rare occasions alcoholics are powerless over alcohol; they lack the power to quit entirely on their own.<br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>The whole idea behind the AA 12 step program of recovery is to find Power to get relief and recover from alcoholism. Well what kind of power? From where? Many of us who have been around AA know the answer already. A Power Greater then ourselves. The Big Book states.</u><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i><b>Lack of power, that was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves. Obviously. But where and how were we to find this Power? Well, that’s exactly what this book is about. Its main object is to enable you to find a Power greater than yourself which will solve your problem.</b><i><b><br /><br /> </b></i>So let's quickly go over the steps till we get to eleven.<br />
<br />
Roughly speaking the steps are grouped into 3 parts.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Steps One, Two and Three are preparation steps to start on the path to a spiritual awakening and a connection with a Power Greater than ourselves. </li>
</ul>
<br />
1. I admit I have alcoholism and am powerless to treat the illness my self.<br />
2. Believe that some kind of Higher Power can relieve my alcoholism.<br />
3. Decide to try a Higher Powers way and in making a decision to do so demonstrating the decision has been made by taking action and doing the rest of the steps. (reference the 12 and 12 3rd step essay)<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Steps Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight and Nine are the initial work, action and effort to "seek" God. Just as the ABC's illustrate in "How it Works" read at most meetings.</li>
</ul>
<br />
4. Make a moral inventory to try to uncover our character defects and how they show up and sometimes run our lives. We look at how they surface in what we do and how we behave and have behaved. In this way we uncover the character defects that are blocking us from God. (top of pg 64 AA book)<br />
<br />
5. Admit to God, ourselves and another person what we've discovered in the forth step inventory and with the help of God and that other person, find out more about what may be blocking us (through advice, and another persons, (usually our sponsors) perspective on our inventory)<br />
<br />
6. and 7. Now with the list of character defects from steps 4 and 5 and how they have shown up in our lives <i><b>we make an effort to change.</b></i> We try to not let the character defects, resentments or fear come out in our lives and actually try to live in the opposite direction. For example, where I was dishonest in the past. Be honest. We make an effort with Gods help to change and be more like God would have us be. My sponsor likes to say steps 6 and 7 are about action into right thinking through Gods help. God sees we are making the effort and changes us to the point where are thinking is more aligned with Gods simple will for us.<br />
<br />
8. Make a list of ALL people we have harmed in the past and get willing to make amends to them all. (self explanatory) We list anybody we've hurt, physically, mentally, emotionally, financially etc..<br />
<br />
9. Go to those people and make reparations, amends, apologies and try to our best to correct our mistakes unless it might harm someone else in the process.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Steps 10, 11 and 12 are a continuation and routine of steps one through 9. They are meant as a routine we follow where ever and whenever possible. With steps 10 and 11 meant to be a daily routine. </li>
</ul>
<br />
10. Step 10 is easily summed up.<i><b> </b></i><b>On AA Book page 84:2 Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help. Love and tolerance of others is our code.</b><i><b> </b></i>So this is a continuation of steps 4,5,6 and 7.<br />
<br />
Now onto step Eleven. Through looking at pages 85,86,87 and 88 of the Book Alcoholics anonymous we discover just what Bill W. and the original AA's did to practice this step.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://neweraspiritual.blogspot.com/2012/03/aas-morning-and-evening-meditation.html" target="_blank">AA Morning Meditation Explained</a><br />
8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-40180905557068682492020-01-07T11:35:00.031+07:002020-10-11T10:14:49.179+07:00Solutions for resentments 4th step<p><br />
<b>1) New perspective and attitude towards others -- perhaps the people who wronged us were spiritually sick</b><br />
<br />
Big Book page 66 and 67:<br />
<br />
<i>This was our course: We realized that the people who wronged us were perhaps spiritually sick. Though we did not like their symptoms and the way these disturbed us, they, like ourselves, were sick too. We asked God to help us show them the same tolerance, pity, and patience that we would cheerfully grant a sick friend. When a person offended we said to ourselves, “This is a sick man. How can I be helpful to him? God save me from being angry. Thy will be done.’’ We avoid retaliation or argument. We wouldn’t treat sick people that way. If we do, we destroy our chance of being helpful. We cannot be helpful to all people, but at least God will show us how to take a kindly and tolerant view of each and every one. </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>2) Unofficial 4th column from the Big Book:</b><br />
<br />
<i>Referring to our list again. Putting out of our minds the wrongs others had done, we resolutely looked for our own mistakes. Where had we been selfish, dishonest, self-seeking and frightened? Though a situation had not been entirely our fault, we tried to disregard the other person involved entirely. Where were we to blame? The inventory was ours, not the other man’s. When we saw our faults we listed them. We placed them before us in black and white. We admitted our wrongs honestly and were willing to set these matters straight. </i></p><p><b><i>(see the last part of this post for questions to ask ourselves in filling out he 4th column of the inventory resentment list)<br /></i></b></p><b></b><p><b>
3) From my personal experience:</b><br />
<br />
<i>Looking at our resentments on paper can sometimes bring out their "childishness" or "silliness". Pop the balloon at how immature our resentments and anger can be. I look at what I've written and say to myself what a brat and jerk I have been to harbor such a resentment.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>4) The famous "pray for the person you resent" part of one of the stories. </b></p><p><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>4th column questions:</b></span></u></p><p><b><i>A) Where was I not
considering that others toward whom I felt resentful were "perhaps
spiritually sick". Was I inconsiderate, not understanding or
acknowledging that they may lack the ability to be the people I think
they should be? Have I been DISHONEST with myself in thinking that people who I resent could do or say exactly the way I think they should? Were my expectations unrealistic that this person would be anybody else than who they or are capable of being?<br /></i></b></p><p><b><i>B) What decisions based on self
put me in a situation to be resentful or have to even deal with the
person for whom I have resentment.</i></b> </p><p><b>Example:</b> resentful at police
for my DUI. </p><p><u>My wrongs in the 4th column</u>: being a selfish alcoholic and despite all warnings
of society drinking to excess and not thinking of others in the form of neglecting responsibilities and causing trouble for others) If I had not been driving drunk I would never have gotten the DUI and not have the resentment toward the police now. <br /></p><p><u>Character
defect: </u>Selfish, self centered (drank because I wanted to feel the way I
wanted to feel despite the consequences to others) <br /></p><p><b>Decisions
based on self are decisions which involve trying to satisfy the basic
instincts illustrated in the beginning of the Step 4 Essay in the 12 and
12 Book. (see page 62 in the AA Book, first full paragraph to for the
origin of this concept)<br /></b></p><p><b>The 3 Human Instincts </b><br /></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><u>Security instinct</u> (Material and emotional)<br /></li><li><u>Social
instinct</u> ( having friends and relationships or social prestige.) Social
prestige is about holding or ambitions to hold a position/title within a
social group, such as a leader, manager, VP, chairperson etc. The desire to feel prestige in any social group we belong to. Could be the AA fellowship, a position at work or a position within any kind of social club.<br /></li><li><u>Sex instinct</u> ( the desire to keep sexual relations or ambitions to have sexual relations)</li></ol><p><i>Many
times alcoholics and non-alcoholics make decisions based on fulfillment
of these instincts <b>(based on self)</b> without fully considering all the possible problems.
The fulfillment of these instincts can be so strong (self centered)
that the decisions are made hastily without regard to possible problems
because the person is solely thinking of fulfillment of one two or all
of them. (making the decision based on self) Later these hasty or poorly
made decisions may put them into positions to be resentful or in fear.</i></p><p><i><b>So
we ask ourselves. Did I make a decision in the past trying to fulfill
one two or all of the instincts hastily without fully considering
problems (red flags) that may occur as a result of the decision. If so
then my wrong or character defect is revealed in the motivation behind
the decision.</b></i></p><p>Another example. I resent my wife, she cheated on me. </p><p><b>4th column</b>:
I made made a bad decision in marrying her in the first place. Before I married her I ignored possible problems
because she was so beautiful and made me look good to my friends. I
ignored her bad temper, her rudeness to people at times. I let it slide
when I caught her occasionally lying to me and her friends and went
ahead and married her anyway.<i><b> </b></i>She was so beautiful and all
my friends thought I was a badass to have her as a wife (fulfilling my
sexual instinct and my social prestige). So I went ahead an married her
even though the red flags were there that she wasn't very honest and
kind at times. It should be no surprise that she cheated on me. She showed me what kind of person she was long before we got married but I ignored the red flags because she was so beautiful and I liked the attention I got from my friends about her.<i><b><br /></b></i></p><p><i><b>Character defects: </b></i><b>Lazy</b>: didn't leave her even though the red flags were there. <b>Afraid</b>: thought there would never be another one like her for me.<b> Lust:</b> she was so beautiful and the sex was amazing. <b>Pride:</b> I loved the praise from my friends about my beautiful wife.<i><b><br /></b></i></p><p><i><i><b>C)
What wrong(s) did I do to the other person that made them retaliate and
create resentment towards them? What wrongs had I done to them that had
them turn around and mess with me and then be resentful at them for it?</b></i></i><br /><br /></p><i> </i>8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-88483684065584313252020-01-05T14:22:00.000+07:002020-01-05T14:22:03.018+07:00My personal experience with the A, B, C's<div class="ifc-chat-window-message-body-bottom">
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<b>a) That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives. </b></div>
<div class="ifc-chat-window-message-body-message">
<ul>
<li>I can't stop drinking myself and so therefore alcoholic. My life is unmanageable because while drinking I keep messing it up</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="ifc-chat-window-message-wrapper-compact ifc-chat-window-message ifc-window-message-self role-0 role-bbp_participant role-subscriber ifc-chat-message-sender-id-13606 ifc-chat-window-message-club" style="color: #222222;">
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<div class="ifc-chat-window-message-body-message">
<b>b) That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism.</b></div>
<div class="ifc-chat-window-message-body-message">
<ul>
<li>I tried and tried on my own human power to stop drinking and I couldn't. I also tried going to lots of meetings and depending on other humans to stop drinking, it worked for awhile longer but I still drank again.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="ifc-chat-window-message-body-message">
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<div class="ifc-chat-window-message-body-message">
<b>c) That God could and would if he were sought.</b></div>
<div class="ifc-chat-window-message-body-message">
<ul>
<li>Finally I broke down and stopped thinking my ideas worked for solving my drinking problem. I surrendered in an AA meeting, asked for help and got a sponsor who took my through the steps. From there I stayed sober and been sober the last 26 years... How do we seek God in AA? It's simple. </li>
</ul>
DO THE STEPS!!</div>
</div>
8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-529809003283001742020-01-04T19:41:00.006+07:002022-12-04T06:45:53.428+07:00My experience and understanding of Step 1In the AA Book the instruction for taking the 1st step can be found on the first page of the chapter "More about alcoholism."<br />
<br />
Here is the instruction and what they found they needed to do:<br />
<br />
<u>"We learned we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholic. This is the first step in recovery."</u><br />
<br />
Many assume that the summary of step 1 found on the list of the 12 steps gives the instruction for taking the step. It does - to a point. But if one does not read all of the Big Book from the Doctors Opinion through to the end of the chapter "More about Alcoholism" then a thorough knowledge of what AA says alcoholism isn't gained. If one does not thoroughly understand what AA says alcoholism is it will be difficult to fully conceded one has the condition. If somebody doesn't understand that the condition of alcoholism as AA describes it is an allergy of the body coupled with a mental obsession they may not understand how dangerous a condition they might have and fail to be motivated to carry out all the 12 steps.<br />
<br /> I hear people in some meetings make the mistake of dwelling on unmanageability and how their lives were unmanageable. This sometimes happens when only looking at the summary of step 1 "We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable" This is not the instruction for taking step l.<br />
<br />
This is a mistake in that the point is missed about how truly
hopeless the condition of alcoholism is. "The Doctors Opinion" through to the end of "More About Alcoholism" make clear that they see alcoholism as a two fold disease of mind and body. An allergy of the body
coupled with an obsession of the mind. Alcoholism is a dangerous condition and AA say's it's hopeless and chronic. <br />
<br />
The 1st step instruction again is:<br />
<u>"We learned we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholic.</u><br />
<br />
So to take the first step is simple. It is just conceding (or admitting) to myself through and through that I have alcoholism. Or fully conceding to my innermost self that I have alcoholism - as alcoholism it is described in the Big Book. Anybody with this hopeless condition usually has an unmanageable life. What alcoholic truly in the cups of alcoholism has a manageable life? Any alcoholic who has tried on their own know they also cannot manage their drinking by themselves.<br />
<br />
So, again, how can anyone fully admit that they have a condition unless they understand it? In the beginning I certainly understood how much trouble my drinking caused me, but that is not the same as understanding that I have the condition (or illness) called alcoholism. ( I don't call it a disease here because in the Big Book it is not called a disease)<br />
<br />
What I have learned by studying the book is about the first 3rd of the first 164 pages talks about alcoholism as an allergy of the body coupled with a mental obsession of the mind.<br />
<br />
I have this same problem and this is how it works: <br />
<br />
1) when I drink I cannot control the amount I take. (this is the allergy of the body part of alcoholism which produces a craving once I start to drink)<br />
<br />
2) Once my drinking became a problem and I tried to completely abstain, I found I could not do it for very long; at most about 6 months and during those dry months I really suffered from alcoholism. When dry, my untreated alcoholism had symptoms like anxiety, depression, restlessness, irritability, discontentment and fear. If something happened during that time that was too much to take what would I do? I'd go back to what I know gives me the instant comfort -- drinking (and drugs). (This is the mental obsession part of alcoholism and how it works in me)<br />
<br />
I found that through doing the 12 steps and thus, seeking a Higher Power, I got freedom and was saved from this problem of body and mind that the Big Book says is alcoholism.<br />
<br />
Over 26 years and counting, my life has never been better. I've retired early, don't want for anything. I have a lot of time to help new alcoholics which is one of the most rewarding things I do with my life. 8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-37745717534535353122019-11-20T00:17:00.027+07:002023-04-05T07:27:11.280+07:00Fourth step resentment list column 4 completion tips.<div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Big Book authors say they ask themselves: </b><br />
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">
Referring to our list again. Putting out of our minds the wrongs others had done, we resolutely looked for our own mistakes. <u><i>Where had we been selfish, dishonest, self-seeking and frightened? </i></u>Though
a situation had not been entirely our fault, we tried to disregard the
other person involved entirely. Where were we to blame? The inventory
was ours, not the other man’s. When we saw our faults we listed them. We
placed them before us in black and white. We admitted our wrongs
honestly and were willing to set these matters straight. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Additional questions to ask yourself when filling out column 4 of the 4th step resentment inventory.</b></div><p>
</p><p>1) How have I not considered that the person who has "offended" me or to
whom I hold resentment might perhaps be spiritually sick? (list character defects which may be preventing this consideration, <b><i>inconsideration</i></b> is at the top of this list) See bottom of pg 66 to 67. We realized that perhaps the people who wronged us or we think wronged us were spiritually sick. <br /></p><p>This question comes from the first solution
AA provides to free us or reduce resentment in our lives. <br /></p><p></p><p></p><p>2) What decisions have I made based on self (the 3 instincts for
security, social and sex ) that put me in a position to be resentful?
(or fearful -- this question is also useful in the fear inventory). Example: I took a high paying job even though during the interview I got the feeling the boss would be difficult to work for. <i><b>(took the job out of greed)</b></i> Now I am miserable and resentful each day because the boss IS difficult to work for and the grief isn't worth extra money!<br /></p><p><br />
3) What character defect in my thinking is creating the resentment? What character defect is responsible for me harboring this resentment?<br /> </p><p>4) What character defects drove me to make decisions based on self which put me in a circumstance to be angry? Example: I decided to marry a beautiful spouse for social prestige (instinct) (vanity-character defect) and <i>lust</i> (character defect) even though I saw signs they were dishonest, inconsiderate and selfish. I thought I would be an exception and they wouldn't treat me this way (pride). Now they have cheated and I am resentful and in fear.<br /></p><p>5) What wrongs have I done towards the individual to whom I hold resentment that may have had them retaliate and cause me to be resentful. ( from Big Book page 62 first paragraph)</p><p>6) Where have I been dishonest with myself? For example, I think a person should have behaved a certain way or said certain things but they did not. If I was honest with myself and took the time to know them better, I may have found that they are incapable of acting or being the way I think they should. This is a form of inconsideration. <br /></p><p><b>List of Character defects to help in filling out column 4</b></p><p>*Inconsiderate (lack of empathy) Thoughtless of others; displaying a lack of consideration.</p><p><i><span class="sb-0"><span class="dt"><span class="dtText">*Self seeking (the act or practice of selfishly advancing one's own ends) </span></span></span></i><br /><i>*Selfishness <span class="sb-0"><span class="dt"><span class="dtText"><b class="mw_t_bc">: </b>concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself <b class="mw_t_bc">: </b>seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others. </span></span></span></i><br />*Self pity<br />*Intolerant - <span class="sb-0"><span class="dt"><span class="dtText">unable or unwilling to endure</span></span></span><br />*Pride (Conceit) excessive appreciation of one's own worth or virtue - Self importance, Ego, (exaggerated view of oneself) <br />*Dishonesty, Insincerity, Lying, Evasiveness<br />*Hate ( did something out of hate that had a person do something I resent )<br />*Jealousy, Envy<br />*Laziness, Sloth, Procrastination<br />*Critical, Loose Talk, Gossip (enjoy a feeling of superiority) (form of Pride)<br />*Greed<br />*Lust --<i> Intense sexual desire, an overwhelming desire or craving</i><br /><br /></p><p>Most all resentments against people can be reduced to this:<br /></p><ul>
<li>I am resentful at someone for doing or not doing something.</li>
<li>I am resentful at someone for saying or not saying something.</li>
<li>I am resentful at someone for not being the kind of person I would like them to be. </li>
</ul>
So resentment has to do with what this person has DONE OR NOT DONE in some manner or another, not just AT the person in general. <br />
<ul>
</ul><p><br />
In the sex inventory they also ask:<br />
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<b>We reviewed our own conduct over the years past. Where had we been selfish, dishonest, or inconsiderate? </b><br />
<br />
Inconsiderate:<br />
<br />
<i><b>Example of inconsiderate thinking. </b></i><br />
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How am I inconsiderate? I lack the empathy or sympathy to see this person is incapable of being the kind of person that would do or not do things as I would like. Or incapable to say or not say things I like. They are not BEING the way I want them to be.<br />
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AA says some people, like ourselves are <i><b>perhaps </b></i>spiritually sick. The resentment is created by my inability to see this. I lack the perspective or empathy to consider that the person is question may completely lack the ability due to spiritual sickness or other reasons to be <b>like I think</b> they should be so --<b> I am being inconsiderate.</b><br />
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The resentment portion of the 4th step lists this advice for "mastering" or "escaping" resentment.<br />
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<i><b> Big Book Page 66 and 67: </b></i><br />
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<b>How could we escape? We saw that these resentments must be mastered, but how? We could not wish them away any more than alcohol.<br /> </b><br />
<b>This was our course: We realized that the people who wronged us were perhaps spiritually sick. Though we did not like their symptoms and the way these disturbed us, they, like ourselves, were sick too. We asked God to help us show them the same tolerance, pity, and patience that we would cheerfully grant a sick friend. When a person offended we said to ourselves, “This is a sick man. How can I be helpful to him? God save me from being angry. Thy will be done.’’ We avoid retaliation or argument. We wouldn’t treat sick people that way. If we do, we destroy our chance of being helpful. We cannot be helpful to all people, but at least God will show us how to take a kindly and tolerant view of each and every one. </b></p><br /><p><b> <br /></b></p><p><b> </b></p>8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-42878128146856520202019-11-16T11:30:00.004+07:002021-06-21T10:08:31.579+07:004th step inventory questions from the 12 and 12 AA bookThe 12 Traditions and 12 steps book essays have been a constant inspiration and benefit to me as a practicing AA member and a sponsor. Here I have extracted the inventory questions from the 4th step chapter.<br />
<br />
Page 50:<br />
<br />
<b>SEX QUESTIONS:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><u>When, and how, and in just what instances did my selfish pursuit of the sex relation damage other people and me?</u></li>
<li>What people were hurt, and how badly? </li>
<li>Did I spoil my marriage and injure my children? </li>
<li>Did I jeopardize my standing in the community? </li>
<li>Just how did I react to these situations at the time? </li>
<li>Did I burn with a guilt that nothing could extinguish? </li>
<li>Or did I insist that I was the pursued and not the pursuer, and thus absolve myself?</li>
<li>How have I reacted to frustration in sexual matters? </li>
<li>When denied, did I become vengeful or depressed? </li>
<li>Did I take it out on other people? </li>
<li>If there was rejection or coldness at home, did I use this as a reason for promiscuity?</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<b>FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL INSECURITY QUESTIONS:</b><br />
<br />
Also of importance for most alcoholics are the questions they must ask about their behavior respecting financial and emotional security. In these areas fear, greed, possessiveness, and pride have too often done their worst.Surveying his business or employment record, almost any alcoholic can ask questions like these: <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>In addition to my drinking problem, what character defects contributed to my financial instability? </li>
<li>Did fear and inferiority about my fitness for my job destroy my confidence and fill me with conflict? </li>
<li>Did I try to cover up those feelings of inadequacy by bluffing, cheating, lying, or evading responsibility? </li>
<li>Or by griping that others failed to recognize my truly exceptional abilities? </li>
<li>Did I overvalue myself and play the big shot? </li>
<li>Did I have such unprincipled ambition that I double-crossed and undercut my associates? </li>
<li>Was I extravagant? Did I recklessly borrow money, caring little whether it was repaid or not? </li>
<li>Was I a pinch penny, refusing to support my family properly? Did I cut corners financially? </li>
<li>What about the “quick money” deals, the stock market, and the races?</li>
</ul>
<br />
Businesswomen in A.A. will naturally find that many of these questions apply to them, too. But the alcoholic house-wife can also make the family financially insecure. She can juggle charge accounts, manipulate the food budget, spend her afternoons gambling, and run her husband into debt by irresponsibility, waste, and extravagance.<br />
<i><br />EMOTIONAL INSECURITY:</i><br />
<br />
The most common symptoms of emotional insecurity are worry, anger, self-pity, and depression. These stem from causes which sometimes seem to be within us, and at other times to come from without. To take inventory in this respect we ought to consider carefully all personal relationships which bring continuous or recurring trouble. It should be remembered that this kind of insecurity may arise in any area where instincts are threatened. Questioning directed to this end might run like this: <br />
<br />
Looking at both past and present, what sex situations have caused me anxiety, bitterness, frustration, or depression<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Appraising each situation fairly, can I see where I have been at fault? </li>
<li>Did these perplexities beset me because of selfishness or unreasonable demands? </li>
<li>Or, if my disturbance was seemingly caused by the behavior of others, why do I lack the ability to accept conditions I cannot change? </li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><i>These are the sort of fundamental inquiries that can disclose the source of my discomfort and indicate whether I may be able to alter my own conduct and so adjust myself serenely to self-discipline.</i></u><br />
<br />
Suppose that <i><b>financial insecurity</b></i> constantly arouses these same feelings. I can ask myself:<br />
<br />
1) To what extent have my own mistakes fed my gnawing anxieties. And if the actions of others are part of the cause, what can I do about that? If I am unable to change the present state of affairs,am I willing to take the measures necessary to shape my life to conditions as they are? <br />
<br />8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-68228237734626387182019-10-23T09:45:00.001+07:002020-01-07T11:38:41.466+07:00Spiritual Principles<div class="ifc-chat-window-message-wrapper-compact ifc-chat-window-message ifc-window-message-self role-0 role-bbp_participant role-subscriber ifc-chat-message-sender-id-13606 ifc-chat-window-message-club" style="color: #222222;">
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Tolerance, patience, love of one another, kindness, honesty, consideration. These are all spiritual principles that are important for me to put into my life. Why? Because I want continued recovery from alcoholism and this is what AA winds up being about. I need to take ACTION on these principles; actually make an effort to BE tolerant, loving, kind and thoughtful.</div>
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When I do this I am doing Gods will, not mine. My will used to be me going through life doing what I wanted and wronging others sometimes to get what I thought I needed.</div>
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It is through trying to continue to BE the kind of person that has turned his will and his life over the care of God that I continue to get Gods protection from the insanity of the first drink and a contented life of peace and serenity.</div>
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I could not abstain from alcohol and drugs myself for very long. Of course I had to abstain through using self will in the beginning but that would only last for so long. I ultimately needed Gods help to do it permanently and have recovery.</div>
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That's what the steps are for, to give me a spiritual awakening and give me a connection with God strong enough to access Gods power to abstain 100 percent of the time. I could not do that on my own using self discipline. I found out that AA is not about self discipline. It's about relying on a Higher Power, because after all I am powerless over alcohol. Otherwise I wouldn't need AA. </div>
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<br />8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-53410040288797690732019-10-22T23:41:00.002+07:002019-10-22T23:41:38.122+07:00Thankfully AA is not a religion but a simple practical spiritual program of action.<div class="ifc-chat-window-message-body-bottom">
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Thankfully AA is not a religion nor is affiliated with any religion. I would not have accepted that when I first came around because I was a staunch atheist. AA is very open when it comes to spirituality. One can choose their own understanding of God. What a wonderful thing. In fact there is no requirement to have any concept of God at all to do the first three steps. Only a willingness to seek. How cool is that! I was able to do the first three steps by just having a willingness to believe that there might be a Higher Power that could help me.. I then did steps 4,5,6 and 7 and then around step 7 I started feeling something helping me stay sober. I came to know that as God or a Higher Force that I accessed by doing the steps. I had 6 months sober; something I had not done in a long time. AA works if you work it.</div>
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That something I felt helping me after doing my 7th step is what I call God now. I still don't believe in Christ or Buddha or Alah or the God of Abraham, but I believe without a doubt that there is a Higher Force that helps me stay sober if I stay spirituality fit by doing the steps.. In fact I write this because I need to do the 12th step as much as I can.. carry the message. </div>
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The message of AA:</div>
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Recovery from alcoholism and thus abstinence from alcohol through achieving a spiritual awakening by doing the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.</div>
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8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-7141242418960268792019-10-22T23:29:00.003+07:002019-10-22T23:50:08.173+07:00The simple program of AA. Short summaries I like to use in online meetings.<div class="ifc-chat-window-message-body-bottom">
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I've been attending a few online meetings lately. I find, as is the case with many face to face meetings, that the focus tends to be on people talking about methods of using self discipline to stay sober. I think this is mainly because there are quite a few new people who are fresh out of rehab or treatment centers and are using "tips" from these treatment centers to stay sober. Treatment center tips and methods are good in the short term , however, as many of us who do the program of AA know, theses "tips" or methods for not drinking only last so long. No matter how hard a real alcoholic may try to apply self discipline they will ultimately find it ultimately fail. </div>
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I was able to "put my mind to it" or "keep my guard up" for about 2 months at best but would go back to it because of the "obsession of the mind" part of alcoholism that the AA book talks about in the chapter "More about Alcoholism". </div>
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<i><b>So, here are some short blurbs I use and have heard over the years to try to illustrate in simple language the program of AA.</b></i><br />
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Trust God, Clean House, Help others. AA is a simple program.</div>
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I can't, Higher Power can, I think I'll let Higher Power help me by doing the steps. Simple but not easy at times... action, action and more action. Faith without work is dead - AA</div>
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I have an illness that I can't combat myself. If I am willing to seek a God of my own understanding that God will give me power to abstain where i couldn't on my own. How to seek that power is to do the steps.</div>
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A) we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives</div>
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B) Probably no HUMAN power could have relieved our alcoholism</div>
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C) God could and would IF he were sought</div>
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Simple but not easy at times - action, action and more action</div>
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8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-68969299370837574952019-09-26T15:09:00.002+07:002019-10-22T23:49:17.322+07:00Recovered, recovering or "in recovery" What does AA say is possible?Having been to many thousands of AA meetings over my 26 plus years of sobriety I've heard members announce themselves in a number of different ways.<br />
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First simply as an alcoholic.<br />
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Secondly, I have introduced myself as a <span style="background-color: yellow;">recovered</span> alcoholic now and again. Many of my Big Book enthusiast friends also announce themselves as recovered alcoholics. <i><b>I usually say (to avoid any confusion) that I am recovered but not cured.</b></i> I say this because I've been "talked to" by some AA members who confuse the words recovered and cured. They think those words mean the same thing. They think that saying your recovered means your cured. But in the Big Book AA makes a definite distinction between being cured and recovered. Being recovered from an illness does not mean one is necessarily cured. In fact I know I am not cured. I believe that the Big Book says. We are like men who have lost their legs, we never grow new ones. Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.<br />
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Many members will also tell how they have been <span style="background-color: yellow;">in
"recovery"</span> X number of years. Or how great "recovery" is and how it
changed their lives. This sounds nice but one does not have to be perpetually in recovery.<br />
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Still overs will announce themselves as grateful and <span style="background-color: yellow;"><i>"recovering"</i></span> alcoholics.<br />
Some who I have heard introduce themselves this way have many
years of sobriety. Why? Why do they still consider themselves recovering? Unfortunately, as is the case all over the world, more than likely they have not studied the literature and not seen or understood that they
too can be recovered from alcoholism.<br />
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I can understand that new commers or people who have started on but have not yet completed the steps might consider themselves "recovering". But to have 5, 10, 15 or more years sober and consider oneself recovering. <i><b>Obviously these folks have not heard the good news. AA says one can be recovered after working all 12 steps! </b></i><br />
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Just as the first 100 alcoholics in the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" recovered so can you! <br />
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I question those who have years of sobriety and announce themselves as "recovering". <b><i>Why are they still recovering after 5, 10, 15, 20 even 30 years sobriety? It doesn't make sense and is not AA. AA says we can be recovered from alcoholism!</i></b><br />
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Why this misunderstanding of the program, even from people with years of sobriety? <i><b>The problem is unfortunately, that there is quite a bit of misinformation about the program of AA being talked about in the fellowship of AA.</b></i> Much of it is brought in from for profit treatment and rehab "centers" and from "recovery" professionals who have been trained in medical perspectives of addiction and alcoholism. My experience is that many if not most of them have never really studied The Big Book or 12 and 12 that closely. Still other ideas leak in from the other fellowships that have different and a bit watered down view about what the 12 step program is and how to do it.<br />
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Fortunately there is the program of AA which is free and promises being able to be recovered through continued practice of the 12 steps.<br />
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Throughout the Big Book (The book entitled Alcoholics Anonymous) the authors tell how they had recovered. The word recovered in fact occurs many more times than the word recovering throughout the Big Book and 12 and 12.<br />
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In my opinion the word is used because of the HOPE that it can promise. There is light at the end of the tunnel! One does not have to be always "recovering". One does not have to be perpetually "in recovery". In fact after giving this some thought it does not make too much sense. If one is 5,10,15 years sober. Why is it that they have NOT recovered? Why are they still recovering if that haven't had a drink in so long? How can their lives NOT have recovered from the illness.<br />
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AA certainly DOES NOT PROMISE A CURE BUT IT DOES PROMISE RECOVERY IF THE 12 STEP PATH IS THOROUGHLY FOLLOWED. SUCH A HOPEFUL THING!<br />
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A wonderful thing about the 12 step program of AA is, if it is worked thoroughly, brings about recovery from alcoholism!. We can be recovered! In the Forward to the First edition it states just that.<br />
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In fact even the first page of the book where we find the title the sub heading states: The story of how many thousands of men and women have RECOVERED from alcoholism.<br />
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The word "recovering" only occurs twice. Once in the family afterward and once in a asterisk sub text in the chapter "A Vision for you" regarding Al Anon. That says a lot already.<br />
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<b>Here I will list all the places in the book where the word "recovered" occurs.</b><br />
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FORWARDS: <br />
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We, of Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have <span style="background-color: yellow;">recovered</span> from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have <span style="background-color: yellow;">recovered</span> is the main purpose of this book. For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. We think this account of our experiences will help everyone to better understand the alcoholic. Many do not comprehend that the alcoholic is a very sick person. And besides, we are sure that our way of living has its advantages for all.<br />
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... Sixteen years have elapsed between our first printing of this book and the presentation of 1955 of our second edition. In that brief space, Alcoholics Anonymous has mushroomed into nearly 6,000 groups whose membership is far above 150,000 <span style="background-color: yellow;">recovered</span> alcoholics. Groups are to be found in each of the United States and all of the provinces of Canada. A.A. has flourishing communities in the British Isles, the Scandinavian countries, South Africa, South America, Mexico, Alaska, Australia and Hawaii. All told, promising beginnings have been made in some 50 foreign countries and U.S. possessions. Some are just now taking shape in Asia. Many of our friends encourage us by saying that this is but a beginning, only the augury of a much larger future ahead.<br />
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... Hence the two men set to work almost frantically upon alcoholics arriving in the ward of the Akron City Hospital. Their very first case, a desperate one, <span style="background-color: yellow;">recovered</span> immediately and became A.A. number three. He never had another drink. This work at Akron continued through the summer of 1935. There were many failures, but there was an occasional heartening success. When the broker returned to New York in the fall of 1935, the first A.A. group had actually been formed, though no one realized it at the time.<br />
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AA The Doctor's Opinion<br />
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... In the course of his third treatment he acquired certain ideas concerning a possible means of recovery. As part of his rehabilitation he commenced to present his conceptions to other alcoholics, impressing upon them that they must do likewise with still others. This has become the basis of a rapidly growing fellowship of these men and their families. This man and over one hundred others appear to have <span style="background-color: yellow;">recovered</span>.<br />
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AA Ch. 2 There Is A Solution<br />
... We, of Alcoholics Anonymous, know thousands of men and women who were once just as hopeless as Bill. Nearly all have <span style="background-color: yellow;">recovered</span>. They have solved the drink problem.<br />
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... You may already have asked yourself why it is that all of us became so very ill from drinking. Doubtless you are curious to discover how and why, in the face of expert opinion to the contrary, we have <span style="background-color: yellow;">recovered</span> from a hopeless condition of mind and body. If you are an alcoholic who wants to get over it, you may already be asking What do I have to do?"<br />
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... Further on, clear-cut directions are given showing how we <span style="background-color: yellow;">recovered</span>. These are followed by three dozen personal experiences.<br />
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AA Ch. 4 We Agnostics<br />
... If a mere code of morals or a better philosophy of life were sufficient to overcome alcoholism, many of us would have <span style="background-color: yellow;">recovered</span> long ago. But we found that such codes and philosophies did not save us, no matter how much we tried. We could wish to be moral, we could wish to be philosophically comforted, in fact, we could will these things with all our might, but the needed power wasn't there. Our human resources, as marshalled by the will, were not sufficient; they failed utterly.<br />
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AA Ch. 7 Working with Others<br />
... Sometimes it is wise to wait till he goes on a binge. The family may object to this, but unless he is in a dangerous physical condition, it is better to risk it. Don't deal with him when he is very drunk, unless he is ugly and the family needs your help. Wait for the end of the spree, or at least for a lucid interval. Then let his family or a friend ask him if he wants to quit for good and if he would go to any extreme to do so. If he says yes, then his attention should be drawn to you as a person who has <span style="background-color: yellow;">recovered</span>. You should be described to him as one of a fellowship who, as part of their own recovery, try to help others and who will be glad to talk to him if he cares to see you.<br />
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... If he thinks he can do the job in some other way, or prefers some other spiritual approach, encourage him to follow his own conscience. We have no monopoly on God; we merely have an approach that worked with us. But point out that we alcoholics have much in common and that you would like, in any case, to be friendly. Let it go at that. Do not be discouraged if your prospect does not respond at once. Search out another alcoholic and try again. You are sure to find someone desperate enough to accept with eagerness what you offer. We find it a waste of time to keep chasing a man who cannot or will not work with you. If you leave such a person alone, he may soon become convinced that he cannot recover by himself. To spend too much time on any one situation is to deny some other alcoholic an opportunity to live and be happy. One of our Fellowship failed entirely with his first half dozen prospects. He often says that if he had continued to work on them, he might have deprived many others, who have since <span style="background-color: yellow;">recovered</span>, of their chance.<br />
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AA Ch. 8 To Wives<br />
... If he is enthusiastic your cooperation will mean a great deal. If he is lukewarm or thinks he is not an alcoholic, we suggest you leave him alone. Avoid urging him to follow our program. The seed has been planted in his mind. He knows that thousands of men, much like himself, have <span style="background-color: yellow;">recovered</span>. But don't remind him of this after he has been drinking, for he may be angry. Sooner or later, you are likely to find him reading the book once more. Wait until repeated stumbling convinces him he must act, for the more you hurry him the longer his recovery may be delayed.<br />
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AA Ch. 9 The Family Afterward<br />
... So we think cheerfulness and laughter make for usefulness. Outsiders are sometimes shocked when we bust into merriment over a seemingly tragic experience out of the past. But why shouldn't we laugh? We have <span style="background-color: yellow;">recovered</span>, and have been given the power to help others.<br />
... Now about health: A body badly burned by alcohol does not often recover overnight nor do twisted thinking and depression vanish in a twinkling. We are convinced that a spiritual mode of living is a most powerful health restorative. We, who have <span style="background-color: yellow;">recovered</span> from serious drinking, are miracles of mental health. But we have seen remarkable transformations in our bodies. Hardly one of our crowd now shows any dissipation.<br />
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AA Ch. 10 To Employers<br />
... After your man has gone along without drinking for a few months, you may be able to make use of his services with other employees who are giving you the alcoholic run-around -- provided, of course, they are willing to have a third party in the picture. An alcoholic who has <span style="background-color: yellow;">recovered</span>, but holds a relatively unimportant job, can talk to a man with a better position. Being on a radically different basis of life, he will never take advantage of the situation. <br />
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<b>The word "recovering"</b><br />
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Ch. 9 The Family Afterward<br />
... Our women folk have suggested certain attitudes a wife may take with the husband who is <span style="background-color: red;">recovering</span>. Perhaps they created the impression that he is to be wrapped in cotton wool and placed on a pedestal. Successful readjustment means the opposite. All members of the family should meet upon the common ground of tolerance, understanding and love. This involves a process of deflation. The alcoholic, his wife, his children, his "in-laws," each one is likely to have fixed ideas about the family's attitude towards himself or herself. Each is interested in having his or her wishes respected. We find the more one member of the family demands that the others concede to him, the more resentful they become. This makes for discord and unhappiness.<br />
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AA Ch. 11 A Vision for You<br />
... * Written in 1939, when there were few women in A.A., this chapter assumes that the alcoholic in the home is likely to be the husband. But many of the suggestions given here may be adapted to help the person who lives with a woman alcoholic -- whether she is still drinking or is <span style="background-color: red;">recovering</span> in A.A. A further source of help is noted on page 121. <b><br /></b><br />
<br />8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213760505547812650.post-23481151867822584912019-09-12T11:45:00.001+07:002019-09-13T10:12:47.023+07:00Recovery shortcuts? There aren't any. The program is the 12 steps As nice as some things sound in meetings much of what gets said in meetings may seem like it could be the program but is not. The literature is very clear about what to do. The program is the 12 steps. Much of the work, while simple to understand, is not easy to do. Some of the 12 steps require great effort on our part. There are no shortcuts to being a recovered alcoholic.<br />
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Here is a list of some of the ideas or suggestions I've heard in meetings that don't line up with with the Alcoholics Anonymous program of recovery found in the Big Book or 12 and 12.<br />
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* I just don't drink one day at a time even if my ass falls off.<br />
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* I just do what works for me. <br />
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* I just need to go to meetings, not drink in between, and talk about what's going on with me.<br />
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* 10 minutes of Buddhist meditation each day is my answer.<br />
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* I need to learn how to accept life on life's terms.<br />
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* I just need to learn to stay in the now. <br />
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* I just don't drink no matter what.<br />
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* I do whatever I need to do to stay sober today.<br />
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* I just need to play the tape back before I take that first drink<br />
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* I just need to remember my last drunk. <br />
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None of these things are the AA program of recovery. <i><b>They all imply that sobriety / recovery is a matter of self control or will power. This</b><b> is not the case at all.</b> </i>The program is <b>NOT</b> about developing self control. It's about developing a conscious contact with a Power Greater to get recovery. AA specifically says on pg. 30 of the Big Book.<i> "We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking"</i><br />
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The above ideas may help some people not drink for awhile but for real alcoholics these are only band-aids or stop gap measures and don't address the root of the problem - the mental obsession part of alcoholism. AA says, throughout the literature, that relief of the mental obsession (or insanity of the first drink) is obtained through access to a Power Greater than oneself by working the 12 steps.<br />
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In the chapter "More about Alcoholism" the description of the mental obsession part of alcoholism is repeated over and over with a few stories thrown in to illustrate how it may manifest in an alcoholics life. Then the very last paragraph of that chapter states again the point they've been making. I'll quote it here.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: serif; left: 117.6px; top: 696.665px; transform: scalex(0.816381);">Once mor</span><span style="font-family: serif; left: 203.305px; top: 696.665px; transform: scalex(0.777247);">e: The alcoholic at cer</span><span style="font-family: serif; left: 395.241px; top: 696.665px; transform: scalex(0.770842);">tain times has no</span><span style="font-family: serif; left: 90.0002px; top: 720.999px; transform: scalex(0.837895);"> ef</span><span style="font-family: serif; left: 105.918px; top: 720.999px; transform: scalex(0.803131);">fective mental defense against the fi</span><span style="font-family: serif; left: 423.908px; top: 720.999px; transform: scalex(0.812276);">rst drink. Ex</span><span style="font-family: serif; left: 90.0002px; top: 745.332px; transform: scalex(0.805654);">cept in a few rar</span><span style="font-family: serif; left: 243.869px; top: 745.332px; transform: scalex(0.804924);">e cases, neither he nor any other</span><span style="font-family: serif; left: 90.0002px; top: 769.666px; transform: scalex(0.830441);"> human being can provide such a defense. His defense</span><span style="font-family: serif; left: 90.0002px; top: 793.999px; transform: scalex(0.778674);"> must come from a Higher Power. </span></i></span></b><br />
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<i>AA Big Book Pg. 43 chapter "More about Alcoholism" </i></div>
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<br />8x8x8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11102874086072517516noreply@blogger.com0