The Revolutionary Change of Recovery

Page: 50

Step we are on: Step Two

Chapter: "We Agnostics"

Subject: Belief, Willingness, Change, Faith 

  

Good morning. The cool thing about being truly spiritually awakened in the manner described in this book is that the meaning of our human existence no longer comes into question.  

When we are doing it as prescribed we are having a spiritual experience and we actually know why we are here.

Our struggling and stressing with negativity through is over. 

This is a far cry from our former lives when we struggled and fought tooth and nail for happiness and only found confusion and a bedeviled attitude. 

But now . . . .what?

•     What happened to the lives of the thousands of men and women whom the co-authors have been making reference?

there has been a revolutionary change in their way of living and thinking.

Revolutionary - Like or pertaining to a sudden and complete change in thought, doctrine, method etc. Tending to produce such complete change. ~ The Winston Simplified Dictionary – 1938

Sounds pretty drastic, doesn’t it?

• No matter how bad it got, what happened?

In the face of collapse and despair, in the face of the total failure of their human resources, they found that a new power, peace, happiness, and sense of direction flowed into them.

• When did these remarkable things take place?

This happened soon after they wholeheartedly met a few simple requirements.

. . . not a second before, but soon after those requirements were met.

Comment:

These spiritually dedicated folks didn’t discover that the new power was already inside them, that they were part God-part man-  just needing to look inside to discover their own divinity.

They had to look inside. But once they did they discovered a horrible truth.

They found out they had been bereft of power. They realized they would remain powerless too - UNTIL a new power could flow into them.

And that flow of power could only begin once the “few simple requirements” had been met.

After that, access to was possible. God's will entered and flowed through. Life became manageable - marked by joy, happiness, and freedom from anger, resentment, and fear.

This astonishing spiritual theme is one that’s been passed on for centuries. It is reviled and rejected by Eastern Traditions, New Thought philosophy, New Age mysticism and all of the pantheistic influences on earth,  for which reason so many suffer. It's called, “dualism,” - a precept upon which all Judeo-Christian spirituality and denominations of Christian religions are grounded, as are the principles in this book.

Do you suppose that the “few simple requirements” are taking the Steps by the directions in this Book?

Please turn to page 51

• Once confused and baffled, we come to understand the reasons for what?

Once confused and baffled by the seeming futility of existence, they show the underlying reasons why they were making heavy going of life.

No more baffling, confusing existence. Now there was purpose, peace, and ease. 

• Ignoring the problems caused by our drinking, what did they come to see clearly?

Leaving aside the drink question, they tell why living was so unsatisfactory.

• What do they demonstrate?

They show how the change came over them.

Yes this is a book that doesn't merely say what, but it also shows us "how."  

Peace and  Love,

Danny S – RLRA

Real Live Recovered Alcoholic

https://schwarzhoffmedia.com

Recovered From Alcoholism: It's A Miraculous Accomplishment

"Here was something at work in a human heart which
had done the impossible. My ideas about miracles were
drastically revised right then" Bill W.

Page: 50

Step we are on: Step Two

Chapter: "We Agnostics"

Subject: Belief, Willingness, Personal Stories, Faith, Miracle

Read Time: 1 Minute

Good morning. We are still on page 50.

·        What produced this phenomenal agreement?

This Power has in each case accomplished the miraculous, the humanly impossible.

Miraculous - Supernatural. Contrary to the laws of nature. ~ The Winston Simplified Dictionary – 1938

·        What are we going to do now?

As a celebrated American statesman put it, "Let's look at the record."

"Lets look at the record."

The "American Statesman" is Alfred Emanuel "Al" Smith, Governor of New York and Democratic Presidential candidate in 1928. Smith, who was nicknamed "the Happy Warrior" was also famous for saying, "Let's look at the record". It became part of his campaign speeches. 

On the issue of repealing prohibition when asked, "Are you wet (anti-Prohibition) or dry (pro-Prohibition)?" Smith's other "famous" retort was, "I can't remember. Maybe I'll know better by November."

No wonder Bill liked him; as did New York voters. Smith served four terms as Governor of the Empire State.

·         Whose record are we going to look at?

Here are thousands of men and women, worldly indeed.

·        What do they declare?

They flatly declare that since they have come to believe in a Power greater than themselves, to take a certain attitude toward that Power

Attitude - Such a habitual or instinctive mental reaction in regard to a matter as reveals opinion. ~ The Winston Simplified Dictionary – 1938

·        What besides “believing in” and having a “certain attitude” is necessary?

and to do certain simple things

And as we move though this book we are going to see just what that "certain attitude" is.

HINT:  It isn't, "Don’t drink, and go to meetings."

Peace and  Love,

Danny S – RLRA
Real Live Recovered Alcoholic
http://stepelevencomesalive.blogspot.com/

Our Own Conception of God

Is this a blank check to any concept?

Page: 50 

Step we are on: Step Two

Chapter: "We Agnostics" 

Subject: Belief, Willingness, Personal Stories, Faith 

Good morning. Once again  the co-authors address  their "personal stories.” 

On page twenty-eight it was the stories in the back of the book — now they speak of their personal stories in general. (There were nearly a hundred co-authors but only forty-three of their experiences were attached to the "Back Matter" section of the book)

On page 50 they present an idea that the God-conception, as open as it is, may not be quite the free for all so many of us have supposed.

Yes, our own conception is accepted, but is it a "concept" totally without limits? Can God be a light-bulb? Can He be a floor tile? Can He be a bit of ourselves? Can He be the wind, the trees, and the birds? We hear all kinds of speculation and philosophies. We may not have to get it right. We probably cannot, but let's see how the co-authors help reign in some of the wildest God fantasies, many of which can be detrimental to being able to follow the "these" principles in the Big Book.

• What will the reader find in our stories?

In our personal stories you will find a wide variation in the way each teller approaches and conceives of the Power which is greater than himself.

Greater than himself. Not equal to himself. Not ‘at one’ with himself. Not ‘a part of’ himself -- but GREATER than himself. The co-authors approached God as a superior entity; a power that is not us.

• Do we have to agree with all approaches to this singular idea of Higher Power?

Whether we agree with a particular approach or conception seems to make little difference.

• What has experience taught us?

Experience has taught us that these are matters about which, for our purpose, we need not be worried

•  Who must answer these questions?

They are questions for each individual to settle for himself.

•  Is there anything upon which we all DO agree?

On one proposition, however, these men and women are strikingly agreed.

Striking -  very noticeable

The Winston Simplified Dictionary – 1938

See if you disagree or agree with these men and women's striking agreement.

• What is the one thing all the recovered alcoholic co-authors agree on?

Every one of them has gained access to, and believes in, a Power greater than himself.

THIS is the very noticeable conclusion that ALL the co-authors agreed with. 

How you arrive at that belief is irrelevant — as long as you do. 

The AA freedom of God-conception does have limitations after all. He still has to be a power GREATER or HIGHER than any of us! 

If it were a full carte blanche liberty to visualize ANYTHING and call it "God," then HE could also be recreated in the min to serve us .…  Right? 

I mean, what if I decided that God was a 3-inch green creature that brought me food, shined my shoes and whispered career, relationship, and financial advice into my ear just for praying to him?  Ridiculous of course. 

So the idea that we invent our own God is not really it then, is it?

That is the one element of all varying concepts in which we must actually agree upon -- all of us together.  

There are many spiritual philosophies that must fall by the wayside in order to adopt an idea such as this, and so open-mindedness is required. But it is worth it.

While approaches to God vary —  our conception of God will always be concurrent with the principles in this book if this one conclusion is the same: 

That God is GREATER THAN we are.

TOMORROW:

• What produced this phenomenal agreement?
• What are we going to do now?
• Whose record are we going to look at?
• What do they declare?
• What besides “believing in” and having a “certain attitude” is necessary?

Peace and  Love,

Danny S – RLRA

Real Live Recovered Alcoholic
http://stepelevencomesalive.blogspot.com/

Racism In "Alcoholic Anonymous"

 Page: 49

Step we are on: Step Two

Chapter: "We Agnostics"

Subject: Belief, Willingness, Racism, Bigotry, Worship, Intolerance, Faith

Good morning. Oh yes, they did go there. It applies.

• Instead, what did we do?

Instead, we looked at the human defects of these people,

• We sometimes do what?

and sometimes used their shortcomings as a basis of wholesale condemnation.

Wholesale? Yes! Do the words Racism or Bigotry come to mind here? The seeds of all intolerance are always spawned out of that force we know as resentment. It's just one more acerbic flavor for Evil's hatred.

Wholesale - Widespread, indiscriminate, incautious. ~ The Winston Simplified Dictionary – 1938

• When we resent others for being intolerant, what were we?

We talked of intolerance, while we were intolerant ourselves.

Intolerant – 1. Not allow in difference of opinion of belief to others, especially in matters of religion or morals 2. Inability to bear or endure.~ The Winston Simplified Dictionary – 1938

Whenever we resent others - even for their intolerance, we are also being intolerant too. Seeing the wrong in others without getting angry is true tolerance.

• Why did we miss the beauty of life?

We missed the reality and the beauty of the forest because we were diverted by the ugliness of some of its trees.

All Jews, all blacks, all doctors, all addicts, all whites  -  all people have common grounds that they own, but using individual flaws to bitterly apply with a broad brush to others is evidence of deep-seated spiritual sickness; a distraction from seeing one's own defects.

• What have some of us never done?

We never gave the spiritual side of life a fair hearing.

It's impossible to be connected to God and to grow spiritually when judging (resenting) others.

If spiritual dysfunction is a disease, then its pathogenesis lies in resentment. 
Using the "N" word in referring to our fellows is a big deal, because it's a sign that something is wrong in us. Something vile spews Its hatred for God's Creation using our mind and tongue.

Intolerance melts away quite easily once we have been living the spiritual lifestyle proposed in the Big Book because we are no longer subject to ego-feeding hatred.

Peace and  Love,

Danny S – RLRA

Real Live Recovered Alcoholic

http://recoveredalcoholic.blogspot.com

This Kind of Spirituality Brings Stability

"To all appearance he is a stable, well
balanced individual. Yet, he is alcoholic."(39:2)

Page: 49

Step we are on: Step Two

Chapter: "We Agnostics"

Subject: Belief, Willingness, Stability, Faith

• What do people of faith have?

People of faith have a logical idea of what life is all about.

• Did we have a clue as to what it was about?

Actually, we used to have no reasonable conception whatever.

• How did we spend some of our leisure hours?

We used to amuse ourselves by cynically dissecting spiritual beliefs and practices

• What could we have observed?

when we might have observed that many spiritually-minded persons of all races, colors, and creeds were demonstrating a degree of stability,

• What should we have done?

which we should have sought ourselves.

Tomorrow page 50

Peace and  Love,

Danny S – RLRA
Real Live Recovered Alcoholic
http://recoveredalcoholic.blogspot.com

Prejudice For Alcoholic Approval Junkies

Page: 49

Step we are on: Step Two

Chapter: "We Agnostics"

Subject: Belief, Prejudice, Willingness, Faith, Intelligence

Good morning. I hope everyone is having a great weekend. Today we are seeing how the co-authors relate the validity of human intelligence with respect to its handling of the spiritual realm.

• How should we consider ourselves?

Instead of regarding ourselves as intelligent agents, spearheads of God's ever advancing Creation,

• How do some of us consider ourselves?

we agnostics and atheists chose to believe that our human intelligence was the last word, the alpha and the omega, the beginning and end of all.

• Did this belief hold value?

Rather vain of us, wasn't it?

Vain – valueless, inconsequential, empty, trifling 2. Without force or effect. ~ The Winston Simplified Dictionary – 1938

• Those of us who have been there and done it, what do we beg of the reader?

We, who have traveled this dubious path, beg you to lay aside prejudice,

 

 Prejudice - a bias, favorable or unfavorable. ~ The Winston Simplified Dictionary – 1938

Sometimes we assume with 'prejudice' means it OK to approve as long we do not disapprove. That is incorrect. Approval is also prejudging. Setting aside prejudice means being neutral not passing judgement either yay or nay. It's not that easy for the alcoholic who is frequently a dyed in the wool approval junkies, as addicted to giving it as he is receiving it. 

• OK so we set aside our be bias not being for or against  - but does that include being against organized religion?

even against organized religion.

• What have we learned?

We have learned that whatever the human frailties of various faiths may be, those faiths have given purpose and direction to millions.

They are getting to an important point here. Stay with us!

Peace and  Love,

Danny S – RLRA
Real Live Recovered Alcoholic
http://recoveredalcoholic.blogspot.com

Who Made This?

They had visioned the Great Reality - their loving and All
Powerful Creator. (161:0)

Page: 48/49*

Step we're on: Step Two

Chapter: "We Agnostics"

Subject: Belief, Willingness, Worship, Faith

Read Time: 2 mins.

We are on page 48.  Should pure logic be used to explain away the universe? Is there a Creator?

• What is constantly being revealed?
  
  
  It is being constantly revealed, as mankind studies the material world, that outward appearances are not inward reality at all.

• What is an example of this?

To illustrate:  The prosaic steel girder is a mass of electrons whirling around each other at incredible speed

Prosaic – Pertaining to or resembling, prose 2. Ordinary, commonplace; dull,uninteresting.~ The Winston Simplified Dictionary – 1938

 Page 49

• Do we doubt this theory?  Three sentences

These tiny bodies are governed by precise laws, and these laws hold true throughout the material world. Science tells us so. We have no reason to doubt it.

"With great intelligence, men of science have been forcing nature to
disclose her secrets." (12&12.p70)

• What happens when someone wants to talk about God?

When, however, the perfectly logical assumption is suggested that underneath the material world and life as we see it, there is an All-Powerful, Guiding, Creative Intelligence, right there our perverse streak comes to the surface and we laboriously set out to convince ourselves it isn't so.

• What thinking are we trying to support when we read books and engage in arguments?

We read wordy books and indulge in windy arguments, thinking we believe this universe needs no God to explain it.

•  If this were correct, then what else would be true?

Were our contentions true, it would follow that life originated out of nothing, means nothing, and proceeds nowhere.

Even though roughly half of the co-authors of "Alcoholics Anonymous" started out as atheists or agnostics, they soon "came to believe" and once spiritually awakened, no longer had a questionable or Godless view of the universe. They believed in, spoke of and wrote about God. 

Peace and  Love,

Danny S – RLRA

Real Live Recovered Alcoholic

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* This is one of the funkiest* sections in the whole Big Book. It is very atypical, contrasting the writing style and voice of the rest of the book.

And for good reason.

The co-authors sacrifice much time, ink and paper in an attempt to explain the difference between faith in God and doubting God. Not an insignificant subject.

They do a pretty good job of it too.

They use many metaphors and examples dedicated to the single point - but like a screenplay or film treatment, it really needs to be read in one single dose for the momentum to build and gather the semantic steam necessary to fully convince.

In addition to following along, it is strongly suggested that you also read pages 48 through 57 in one sitting! Don't' memorize. Don't try to remember. Just read the whole piece all at once. This is just a suggestion but it is based on having done this hundred of times with others.

Many OLD-TIMERS don't even 'get' these pages and skip over it quickly. Don't. If you do, the co-author's point can be too easily lost.

Please read pages 48-57 with this care and you won't be sorry.

* Read: "Most profound"

Belief in the Unseen

Yes, we had been faithful, abjectly faithful to the God
of Reason. So, in one way or another, we discovered
that faith had been involved all the time!

Page: 48

Step we are on: Step Two

Chapter: "We Agnostics"

Subject: Belief, Willingness, Worship, Faith, Doubt

Hopefully, everybody is having a great weekend.

We are on page forty-eight, and something important needs to be said here.

This is another one of those funky sections in this whole book. It is very atypical in contrast with the writing style and voice of the rest of the book. And for good reason.

Much time, attention, ink and paper are about to be sacrificed in an attempt to explain the difference between faith in God and doubting God. The co-authors do a pretty good job of it, using many metaphors and examples, which they dedicate toward making a single point. But this really needs to be read in one large dose so the momentum builds and can gather the semantic steam necessary to be fully convincing.

In addition to following along with this study, it is strongly suggested that you also read pages 48 through 57 in one sitting!

This it is just a suggestion but it is based on having done this hundred of times with 'others'. Many OLD-TIMERS don't even get' these next pages and skip over it pretty quickly because of this.

DON'T! Otherwise, the co-authors point will too easily be missed. Please do that as you  follow along in this "study." You won't be sorry

• What theory does Bill use as an example?

We have numerous theories, for example, about electricity.

• Who doubts this power?

Everybody believes them without a murmur of doubt.

•  Why?  (Two sentences)

Why this ready acceptance? Simply because it is impossible to explain what we see, feel, direct, and use, without a reasonable assumption as a starting point.

 "Every day is a day when we must carry the vision
of God's will into all of our activities. "How can
 I best serve Thee - Thy will (not mine) be done." 

• Everybody now believes what?

Everybody nowadays believes in scores of assumptions for which there is good evidence,

• But what is lacking?

but no perfect visual proof.

• Should we always believe only in what we can see? 

And does not science demonstrate that visual proof is the weakest proof?

 "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

Peace and  Love,

Danny S – RLRA

Real Live Recovered Alcoholic

http://recoveredalcoholic.blogspot.com

Reasons to Believe in God

"He was as much a fact as we were. We found the Great
Reality deep down within us." (53:3)

Page: 48

Step we are on: Step Two

Chapter: "We Agnostics"

Subject: Belief, Willingness, Worship, Faith

Spiritual Theories vs Facts and Results

• What may the reader still ask?

The reader may still ask why he should believe in a Power greater than himself.

• What kind of reasons are there?

We think there are good reasons.

•  What are we going to do?

Let us have a look at some of them.

• Who likes facts and results?

The practical individual of today is a stickler for facts and results.

God either is, or He isn't. What was our choice to be?(53:3)

• At this point in history, what are we willing to accept?

Nevertheless, the twentieth century readily accepts theories of all kinds,

• They must be based on what?

provided they are firmly grounded in fact.

But is this insistence on PROOF of God's existence going to help us find Him? What the co-authors discovered, begins tomorrow:

TOMORROW

• What theory does Bill use as an example?
• Who doubts this power?
• Why?  (2 sentences)
• Everybody now believes what?
• But what is lacking?
• What has science demonstrated?

Peace and  Love,

Danny S – RLRA
Real Live Recovered Alcoholic

http://recoveredalcoholic.blogspot.com