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Directions for making a beginning utilizing the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

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44: 10 We had to face the fact that we must find a spiritual basis for life----or else

46: 9 We found that as soon as we were able to lay aside our prejudice and express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves, we commence to get results.

46: 12 As soon as we admitted the possible existence of a Creative Intelligence. A Spirit of the Universe underlying the totality of things, we began to be possessed of a new sense of power and direction, provided we took other simple steps.

47: 3 Do not let any prejudice you may have against spiritual terms deter you from honestly asking yourself what they mean to you.

47: 8, 9 We needed to ask ourselves but one short question, "Do I now believe or am I even willing to believe in a Power greater than myself?"

48: 2 This sort of thinking had to be abandoned.

48: 4 Faced with alcoholic destruction we soon became as open minded on spiritual matters as we had tried to be on other questions.

49: 9 .....lay aside prejudice, even against organized religion.

50: 16 This happened soon after they wholeheartedly met a few simple requirements.

51: 12 We asked ourselves this: are not some of us just as biased and unreasonable about the realm of the spirit as were the ancients about the realm of the material?

52: 5 We had to ask ourselves why we shouldn't apply to our human problems this same readiness to change our point of view.

52: 8 .....we had to stop doubting the power of God,

53: 8-10 ....we had to fearlessly face the proposition that God is either everything or else He is nothing. God either is, or He isn't. What was our choice to be?

55: 11-12 We found the Great Reality deep down within us. In the last analysis it is only there that He may be found.

55: 15-17 ....sweep away prejudice.....think honestly.....search diligently within yourself......join us on the Broad Highway. With this attitude you cannot fail. The consciousness of your belief is sure to come to you.

57: 11-12 .....He has come to all who have honestly sought him. When we drew near to Him He disclosed Himself to us.

The Annotated A.A. Handbook
A companion to the Big Book
By Frank D.