"Much has already been said about receiving strength,inspiration, and direction from God who has all knowledge and Power. If we have carefully followed directions,we have begun to sense the flow of God's Spirit into us.To some extent we have become God-conscious. We have begun to develop this vital sixth sense. But we must go further and that means more action."(p. 85 Big Book)
A 10th step promise that has some requirements. These are not suggestions like contemporary AA would have us believe,but directions. The whole program is a suggested program, but "If you want what we have (sobriety and freedom),then you are ready to follow directions. One of 58 "musts" in the 164 pages of the book. This is not cafeteria style AA where you can take what you want and leave the rest. That kind of program may work for hard drinkers, but was not what AA was intended to offer. My sponsor gives me directions not suggestions. Now, I do have the option of not following them, but why ? I asked him to be my sponsor because I wanted what he had so I do what I am instructed to do. Otherwise, why not just sponsor myself ?
This also implies that by following directions I have tapped into some Power that is "vital" (necessary for life). The "lack of Power problem" has been removed by me getting un-blocked and connecting to a higher consciousness. It says we have begun to develop this which implies I can go so much deeper and develop this consciousness even more."How free do you want to be?" This is an encouragement and yet a warning : "DON'T STOP!" "This is great but we can have so much more !"As we continue to grow in understanding and effectiveness by continuing to examine self while growing in God-consciousness, we receive more and more inspiration and guidance and have been given the Power to help others.
Our Common Solution
Commentary on the Transformational Process With the 12 Step Recovery Program
What is Our Common Solution?
The feeling of having shared in a common peril is one element in the powerful cement which binds us. But that in itself would never have held us together as we are now joined.
The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution. We have a way out on which we can absolutely agree, and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action. This is the great news this book carries to those who suffer from alcoholism.”
~ Alcoholics Anonymous, “The Big Book”, page 17
Our common solution, refers to us as alcoholics and addicts, whether we used alcohol, heroin, cocaine, meth, pot or pills, etc. I believe in identification in order to connect the common problem. However, even though our illness may present itself differently mentally and/or physically, we all suffer from the same spiritual malady.
According to the Big Book, “when the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically.” That is, in fact, “our common solution.” As important and perhaps vital as it is to completely identify and relate personal experiences to same substances -- as stated on page 18 in the Big Book: “That the man who is making the approach has had the same difficulty, that he obviously knows what he is talking about…” -- my own personal experience and belief is that the solution, our common solution, truly is the same.
We treat the spiritual malady and get connected to a Power greater than ourselves and the mental obsession gets removed. Consequently, if we don’t put the chemical in, no matter what its shape or form, we do not have the physical allergic reaction.
Once we have reached a level of identification and conceded to our innermost selves that we have lost power, choice and control over a particular substance(s), and that we will always go back to it if our spiritual malady is not treated, then our recovery process becomes a journey beyond self. From selfishness, self-centeredness, and living in spiritual sickness, we become useful to God and our fellows, safe and protected, living in the world of the Spirit. As long as we continue to grow in understanding and effectiveness and pass on our experience to others, we find that we are all on the same journey – the spiritual life.
That is our common solution.
The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution. We have a way out on which we can absolutely agree, and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action. This is the great news this book carries to those who suffer from alcoholism.”
~ Alcoholics Anonymous, “The Big Book”, page 17
Our common solution, refers to us as alcoholics and addicts, whether we used alcohol, heroin, cocaine, meth, pot or pills, etc. I believe in identification in order to connect the common problem. However, even though our illness may present itself differently mentally and/or physically, we all suffer from the same spiritual malady.
According to the Big Book, “when the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically.” That is, in fact, “our common solution.” As important and perhaps vital as it is to completely identify and relate personal experiences to same substances -- as stated on page 18 in the Big Book: “That the man who is making the approach has had the same difficulty, that he obviously knows what he is talking about…” -- my own personal experience and belief is that the solution, our common solution, truly is the same.
We treat the spiritual malady and get connected to a Power greater than ourselves and the mental obsession gets removed. Consequently, if we don’t put the chemical in, no matter what its shape or form, we do not have the physical allergic reaction.
Once we have reached a level of identification and conceded to our innermost selves that we have lost power, choice and control over a particular substance(s), and that we will always go back to it if our spiritual malady is not treated, then our recovery process becomes a journey beyond self. From selfishness, self-centeredness, and living in spiritual sickness, we become useful to God and our fellows, safe and protected, living in the world of the Spirit. As long as we continue to grow in understanding and effectiveness and pass on our experience to others, we find that we are all on the same journey – the spiritual life.
That is our common solution.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
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