“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.
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.
