That's Over (Phew!) but. . . . .

Step We Are On: Five

 Page: 72

 Chapter: 6 “Into Action”

Subject:   Discussing ourselves with another person

Good morning. Now that we have taken Steps Three and Four and have decided to put the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous to the test, we are ready to go into action.  

Page 72

• Having completed our Fourth Step, what is the question?

Having made our personal inventory, what shall we do about it?

• What have we been trying to do?

We have been trying to get a new attitude,

 So we aren't trying to make it till midnight without a drink?

• And what else?

a new relationship with our Creator,

Please recall the one and only “promise” ever made in this book. It was made by Ebby to Bill in Brooklyn when Ebby Thacher made his first 12 step approach on Bill.

“My friend promised when these things were done I would enter upon a new relationship with my Creator”. (13:4) 

• And discover what?
  

and to discover the obstacles in our path

• What have we admitted?

We have admitted certain defects

We have admitted certain defects

Notice we are not analyzing every possible defect that may have ever occurred since the day we were born. Just “Certain defects”. We do not encourage protégés to analyze stuff that doesn’t fit the “certain” defects bill. 

This process is not designed to be a fully comprehensive examination of every instance and moment of your life. It isn’t some cheap substitute for psychotherapeutic examination. 

It’s a self-analysis that is deep and thorough enough to bring about a spiritual awakening it does not qualify as psychoanalytic therapy. 

There's a lifetime of flaws that comprise the grosser ‘certain defects’ — they are the ones that are indicated at the top of the fourth column . . . and they can be counted on one hand!

Grueling over-analysis that drags prospects through 'others' of their flaws, like “the seven deadly sins”. IE gluttony, sloth, etc., and more are not part of the Big Book co-author's presentation of “what they did," what we call The Twelve Steps. 

Whether diluting this time-honored and proven process with water or thickening it with additives are BOTH meddling and always egotistically motivated. It always distracts and blocks a spiritual awakening, not service as some ‘superior’ adjustment to what is in this book. 

We are trying to reach the God-conscious state of existence here, by first have a spiritual awakening. 

That’s it! It is not designed to uncover every sin we've ever committed during our lifetime. That may be highly desirable. It may even be a religious obligation for some. But it is not the object of these steps. 

These steps go to the near-immediate removal of the obsession to drink via spiritual awakening, and a design for a spiritually endowed lifestyle going forward, advanced by ever-improving God-consciousness. 

Whatever obsessions with substances and behaviors beyond drinking alcohol are removed then has to do with one's continued conscious contact with God subsequent to practicing prayer and meditation - not with practicing the 12-Steps, going to meetings, or AA fellowship activities.

Peace and Love,

Danny S – RLRA

Real Live Recovered Alcoholic

http://stepelevencomesalive.blogspot.com/

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