Nothing ever surprises me in recovery anymore. So it does not surprise me that there is a growing trend of sponsoring out of the 12 and 12. Even through it has no precise directions how to work the steps. The 12 and 12 has some good parts and points. For instance step 4 has a wonderful explanation instincts, but on the other hand it does not tell me how to write an inventory. The rest of it (I will piss people off) is mediocre (and that’s me being nice). It’s very bland and doesn’t have the spirit of the Big Book. And some of the steps it’s hard to tell he is talking about that particular step. One of the biggest differences between the 2 books is the Big Book is a spiritual interpretation of the steps. The 12 and 12 is psychological interpretation of the steps. People sponsor from 12 and 12 because it’s an easier softer way. And also anything-psychological is very popular today. People can work the steps at slow pace, with no timetable and directions how to work the steps . Steve W (Big Book thumpers)
The Big Book is our basic text a dynamic spiritual work that represents a recipe for sobriety and much, much more for in it a design for living that affords us a recovery from a hopeless state of mind and body.
Our book is meant to be suggestive only. We realize we know only a little. God will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Pg 164
Should we dismiss the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions so then we know even less?
Consider that master works are most often times complimented by a concordance (Agreement; concord.) i.e.” Bible and surely the Big Book for some it means no less. The Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions help to enlarge and validate the understandings purpose and design by the means of practical experience of application. Take a closer look at “The man on the bed”
This was June 26, 1935. There are two books depicted in the scene four years prior to The Big Books first publication. The one with gold leaf is probably the Bible and the second “The Varieties of Religious Experience” by William James
I firmly believe that “in the mouth of two witnesses or three the matter shall be established” and that The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions validate and corroborate the Big Book, demonstrating its power and authority. For when two or three having no other affiliation can call themselves an A.A. group, the power of two, it took two to start A.A. and it takes two to work the Twelve Steps successfully.
I use both the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions and the Big Book and on occasion any other literature I find of value (The language of the heart, Dr. Bob and the old timers, the KJV etc)
Be ‘quick’ to see where religious people are right. ‘Make use’ of what they offer. They may not all be right, but try to see where ‘anyone’ may be right.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON SPONSORSHIP A.A. PAMPHLET P-15 page 7, paragraph 1
A. A. puts it this a way: An alcoholic who has made SOME progress in the recovery program shares that experience on a continuous, individual basis with another alcoholic who is attempting to attain or maintain sobriety through A.A.
To offhandedly dismiss any resource that might be of help is not in the spirit of the Big Book or the original intent of open-mindedness’. A mind is like a parachute it must be open in order to function.
Step Five (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions)
Until we had talked with complete candor of our conflicts, and had listened to someone else do the same thing, we still didn’t belong. Step Five was the answer. It was the beginning of true kinship with man and God.
I am told not only do I have to do a Fifth Step, I am to hear a Fifth Step and until I do that I still didn’t belong. I then continue to circle the field (not belonging, just visiting) waiting to run out of spiritual gasoline and then it’s another crash and burn Vern.
I will pass on what my sponsor would ask me “How does that make you feel”
If you get fifteen alcoholics in a room, you will get twenty opinions. This is butt one of them.
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Joseph
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