WRITTEN ARTICLES ABOUT RECOVERY AND THE AA PROGRAM
Dr. Mike, in these essays, discusses different aspects of recovery including discussion of the steps and principles outlined in the big book. He also looks at topics commonly discussed in the fellowship and how he sees them applied to his own recovery.
In the posts below, Dr. Mike gives his thoughts on different topics related to recovery. Comments and discussion are welcome.
Thoughts on Recovery – No. 61 – We have become God conscious – Step 10-11 – Page 85
The authors state that by doing steps 1-9 and working step 10 on a daily basis that we have become God conscious on page 85. Conscious means aware of or having knowledge of something. To become awake. So I come to AA as an agnostic. They use the term agnostic to mean those without knowledge of God. Those not awake to God’s power. By taking the action of these steps…
Read MoreThoughts on Recovery – No. 60 – Step 10 – The 2 Musts -The Proper Use of My Will – Page 85
In my final thought on step 10 I want to focus on the 2 musts on page 85 in the third paragraph on step 10. The first paragraph on step 10 on page 84 describes how we stay in the World of the Spirit. The second paragraph on step 10 pages 84-5 gives us the recovered promises as a result of being in fit spiritual condition. The third paragraph on…
Read MoreThoughts 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…
Read MoreThoughts on Recovery – No. 58 – The 9th Step Promises
I did a meeting a few Sundays ago looking at the 9th step promises. They are so powerful I thought I would share some thoughts on their significance to me. In Topeka they are read at most of the meetings. They are usually read off a card and members chant enthusiastically. I am concerned that these several paragraphs have become trivialized. The “ninth step promises” are on page 83-84. They…
Read MoreThoughts on Recovery – No. 57 – Step10 – Resolutely turn our thoughts – Love and tolerance is our code-Page 84
Turn my thoughts. Resolutely. The definition of resolutely is an admirablely, purposeful,and determined manner. They tell me in the 10th step that I should resolutely turn my thoughts to someone I can help. This is after I have seen my self centered ness appear in the form of resentments, selfishness, dishonesty and fear. Remember when these crop up I am to ask God at once to remove them. Discuss immediately…
Read MoreThoughts on Recovery – No. 56 – We are putting our lives in order but that is not an end in itself – What is our real purpose? Into Action – Page 77
I am looking at the 3 sentences on the top of page 77. In the last thought I focused on how we are trying to put our lives in order. But this is not an end in itself. “Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximal service to God and the people about us.” How do we do that? How do I fit myself? Isn’t that what…
Read MoreThoughts on Recovery – No. 55 – We are trying to put our lives in order – Page 77
In the last thought I discussed the power of willingness to make amends to all and to forgive all. Before they get to the nuts and bolts of step 9 they have 3 powerful sentences that I have never heard as a topic at a discussion meeting. They define what we are trying to achieve by the actions we are taking in working steps 4-9. Then steps 10-12 are how…
Read MoreThoughts on Recovery – No. 54 – Step 8 – Freedom from Fear of People – Page 76
Taking this step has brought me so much freedom and peace. I took it after steps 4-7 but I take this step every time I am disturbed today. I don’t think this step is well discussed at meetings and often is considered part of the step 9 process. But it is a definite separate step. Before they discuss this step on page 76 they remind me that “faith without works…
Read MoreThoughts on Recovery – No. 53 – Faith without Works is Dead – AA Big Book – Pages 76 and 88 – The spiritual awakening as the result of the steps and what this means for me today -Part 3
I have looked at the relationship between the sermon on the mount and the book of James in part 1. In part 2, I looked at what the word faith means to me and how I use the steps to achieve it. Now in part 3 I want to turn to what the whole verse means for me today. I believe the whole purpose of the AA program is to…
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