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.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Acceptance is NOT the Answer

Stating that “Acceptance is the answer” gives a false impression that all I have to do is accept my situation and everything will be okay. It implies that I have the power to do so.

The truth is, if acceptance was the answer to all my problems, then page 45 would have read, “Lack of acceptance,  that was our dilemma.”
But it says “Lack of Power” is my problem and POWER is the answer to all my problems. Not my power, but power from a Higher Source.

The statement “Acceptance is the answer” comes out of the back of the Big Book from a story, originally entitled Doctor, Alcoholic Addict in the Third Edition. It is not mentioned as such in the 164 pages of the text book.

Acceptance is in fact a promise that comes by being connected to power and staying connected. The fact is, I need to accept things I cannot change, but without power, that is impossible for the real addict or alcoholic.

Taking it one step farther, belief in the Power is NOT access. I must get unblocked and connected if the Power is going to flow through me.

And there is an entire process, which took 164 pages, not a few paragraphs from someone’s experience, to explain.

“Power” is the answer to all my problems.

Please see my post,
“ To Understand the Solution, I Must Understand the Problem”.
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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Practice Practice Practice

“Practice makes Perfect” – even if we accept that attaining perfection is an impossibility, most of us still strive toward it. It is through this process of striving that one matures, not by actually attaining the object of your striving. And when discipline is willingly taken on, self-imposed rather than endured because of external pressure or coercion, it will nourish your growth and deepen your maturity.” ~ Ma Deva Padma, Tao Oracle

How often have we strived to reach a goal only to realize we missed the journey and the destination was an illusion, not the pot of gold we thought it would be? On the other hand, how often do we run away from pain in various ways only to realize we are still not free?

When I commit to living in the disciplines of Steps 10 & 11 as a regular daily practice regardless of good times or bad, I can gradually grow in understanding and effectiveness and into spiritual maturity. I don’t struggle and fight the world as much even when unexpected hurdles arise. With this practice, I gain inspiration and insight and can be much more useful to God and His children.

Meditation is God’s healing love and soothing comfort. It is the door to limitless awareness. Combined with the discipline of self-examination in Step 10, which keeps me unblocked and open to experience the sixth sense and intuitive thought, I experience an improved relationship with God and can be more fit to be of maximum usefulness to God and the people about me.
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The Journey Beyond Self

In the last analysis, the individual person is responsible for living his own life and for "finding himself." If he persists in shifting his responsibility to somebody else, he fails to find out the meaning of his own existence. " ~ Thomas Merton

I searched all my life for that which would make me whole. I thought I found it in people, but they were searching for themselves and couldn’t fill me either. I thought I found it in theologies and books, but these were only maps, they were not the treasure and couldn’t fill me. Then I had a spiritual experience. I found what I thought was my answer to everything. I lived many years like it was. For a while it went to a place deep inside of me that made me whole.

Slowly it began to fail me and I began to suffer consequences. This "answer to everything" I thought I had found wasn't working as good anymore, but I couldn't stop. Jails, treatment centers, damaged relationships, homeless shelters, broken dreams, continuous failed attempts to stop, littered this path behind me.
I didn’t know it then, but this was all Divine alchemy. As the tempering process would unfold, the Divine timing and power has led me along a journey of hope and experience.

In the last analysis, I searched deep inside of me. I found the Great Reality. God is… God always was… I was the one who was lost. The Great Fact is that I have found Power that goes to the same place deep inside of me that chemicals once did. All I had to do was be still and stop fighting. I learned how to do this through the 12 Steps. I must continue to do this in order to stay connected and awake. God is in everything and everybody. As my awareness grows I experience the power of God and my Spirit is awakened more & more. When I can’t see the light and begin to fight, I must realize that I have fallen asleep again. I must be still  and search fearlessly within,and wake up again. Then I can be whole and useful once more. Then I’m alive and fulfilling my purpose in life.

When I help you, I help me. When I love you, I love me and I love God. We are all connected and I must remember that. I can’t hate you and love God. I can’t hate me and love God, for when I truly love – I love ALL. Then and only then can I be whole. This is the gift I have received in this journey beyond self. The greatest of all gifts is Love. Wake up and experience love, then you will find God.
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