Thoughts on Recovery – No. 59 – Spiritual Awakening – The 9th Step Promises on P. 83-4

I have spent the last few episodes looking at step 10, the world of the spirit, and the arch to freedom. When you are halfway through step 9 you have built an arch through which you can walk a free man. Steps 10-11 are how I stay in fit spiritual condition to keep myself down the path past the arch. It is a lifetime job.

I have had a spiritual awakening when through the arch and living in steps 10-11. In Step 12 I carry this message and practice the principles in all my affairs.

What is a spiritual awakening? I have awakened to a power. Aware that there is a power available to me and working in my life. It is a gift from God. A result of the steps.

The promises on p 83-4 are a spiritual awakening. Look at the words that are used to describe them. Amazed, know, not regret, comprehend, see how, feeling disappear, lose interest, slip away, outlook change, leave us, intuitively know, and suddenly realize. Things that I am just aware of! I have things that are gone! They just happen! The result of conscious contact!

Amazed before I am halfway through step 9. I am aware of a new freedom. I am not in bondage to my old ideas. My happiness is based on love, tolerance , and service to God and others. My experience can help other alcoholics. I am not in bondage to self and can be useful sharing how I established my relationship with God. I am interested in thinking of what I can do for others. What I can pack into the stream of life.

Fear of people and economic insecurity leaves me. I just suddenly realize it is gone. It just happens. Situations that I couldn’t handle before on my way own I can now see a solution that is effective. Like alcohol. I used to be baffled by alcohol and I can now say bad idea! It doesn’t have power over me. I am awake to a power that removes the problem.

A spiritual awakening to me happens whenever I suddenly realize that I am seeing things through a new pair of glasses. Reacting differently. Acting differently. The hand of God acting in my life. People focus on the word suddenly. To become aware is always suddenly. The moment of realization is always sudden.

We read they can occur quickly or slowly. The only person who determines whether they are quick or slow is me! It depends on how quickly I am working Steps 4-9. If you want these promises they will always appear if you do the work! Now that is a promise. Do the steps and tell us what happens.