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Old 02-05-2008, 01:52 AM   #6 (permalink)
nandm
Life the gift of recovery!
 
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Home is where the heart is
Posts: 6,580
46:9, 12, 13-15

9
Quote:
We found that as soon as we were able to lay aside prejudice and express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves, we commenced to get results, even though it was impossible for any of us to fully define or comprehend that Power, which is God.
We agnostics are reluctant to subscribe to any spiritual philosophy beccause of the unfathomable nature of God. Adopting a willingness to act as if there is a God coupled with the application of certain principles will produce spiritual experiences even for agnostics.

The directions are clear-cut: lay aside prejudice and express a willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves. The promise is given: we will begin to get results.

12
Quote:
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.
The specific instruction is to "admit the possible existence" of God. The promise is that we will be able to access the infinite power of God and find a new purpose for living. The prerequisite is to continue along this path.

13-15
Quote:
We found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him. To us, the Realm of Spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive or forbidding, to those who earnestly seek. It is open, we believe, to all men.
This Power is available to us and is not reserved only for others. To make a beginning willingness is all that is required. To seek God in earnest by practicing the rest of the 12 Steps will produce the same awakening in us that it has in the millions of alcoholics who have gone before us.


Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D.
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NOTE: All BB quotes are from the 1st Edition of the Big Book
Depression is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of being too strong for too long.
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