By Steve K. My reply to this question is that it can be for some of us in recovery. Specifically, those of us who have experienced high levels of shaming (rejection, neglect, and emotional or physical/sexual abuse) in the developmental years of childhood and adolescence. During my own upbringing, I experienced a lot of anger, […]
By Steve K. In the book Alcoholics Anonymous, it suggests that resentment is the number one manifestation of self/ego. “Being convinced that self, manifested in various ways, was what had defeated us, we considered its common manifestations. Resentment is the “number one” offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else.” p.64. The book goes on to […]
By Steve K. In a spiritual sense, it’s often suggested that love is the opposite of fear. When considering the characteristics of these two states of being, I can see the truth in this point of view. However, I would suggest that this viewpoint relates to unhealthy or neurotic fear, rather than ‘in-the-moment’ instinctual fear, […]
By Steve K. I’ve never been a fan of suffering during my life. I’m ashamed to say that I have a track record of trying to avoid it as much as possible, and would suggest that this fear based tendency is a key factor in my history of substance, as well as other types of […]
By Steve K. As an agnostic member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), I have a tendency to question or rationalize so called ‘spiritual experiences’. However, this year I have experienced three ‘synchronicities’ that I find difficult to relate to in any other way. The most recent being a powerful experience which moved me greatly and relates […]
By Steve K. In the context of Twelve Step recovery, there is the concept of ‘having had a spiritual awakening as the result of practicing the 12 Steps.’ (1) The American psychologist and philosopher William James suggests that this awakening is often an educational process. (2) My experience of this process over 25 years in […]
By Steve K. “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practise these principles in all our affairs.” Step Twelve – Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The following description of AA’s Step Twelve is based mainly upon my own personal experience of practicing Twelve […]
By Steve K. In the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) book, The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, the source of human emotional difficulties is identified as the result of instinctual excesses; specifically, the basic needs for emotional and material security, social approval and acceptance, and the need for sex. “Yet these instincts . . . often far […]
By Steve K. In the book ‘For God’s Sake’ Alan Budge writes… “Recovery isn’t about stopping drinking (or stopping whatever). It’s about investigating the ways of the ego, and trying to change on the basis of that knowledge. It’s about surrender. For me, the whole spiritual deal is based on the idea that I’m not […]
By Steve K. Some members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) tend to focus upon the fellowship as a principle means of recovery, whilst dismissing the program as not really necessary and, in effect, divorcing the two. According to AA literature and the preamble, members have the right not to practice the suggested Twelve Step program of […]
12-STEP PHILOSOPHY 