[nandm]

Below is an excerpt from out Big Book study in our 12 step study forum (link to this area http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/step-study/). Your thoughts, experience, questions, and comments are welcome.

The famous AA promises are brought about by the application of spiritual principles in our lives. They are not the result of merely quitting drinking and attending AA meetings. A spiritual awakening results in a change in the way we act and percieve the world around us. This new way of life addresses the problems of the past and prevents new problems from arising. We have a new way of dealing even with the seeming hardships and tragedies that are a part of life.

84:1

No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.

Our past becomes an asset that we can use to help other people. Our past helps new people identify with us and shows them that new lives are also possible for them.

84:2

That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.

Adopting this new way of life gives us a new direction and purpose for living.

84:3-4

We will lost interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away.

AAs we are restored to sanity, we see the rewards of selflessness greatly exceed the illusionary benefits of self-seeking.

84:5

Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.

Our attitude towards life and our view of the world based on self-centered fear are changed as a result of practicing these spiritual principles. We live our way into a new way of thinking.

84:6

Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.

When we focus on what we can give rather than what we can take, we lose our fear that we will not get what we want. We are no longer afraid that our own resources are all that we have to draw upon. We find that conscious contact with God is all we really need to be happy in life.

84:7

We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.

We practice the application of spiritual principles as a way of addressing our problems and find the guidance of God is available to us when we seek it.

84:8

We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

The truth is that if we could have stopped drinking, addressed our defects of character, and righted our past wrongs on our own power we would have done so long ago. By seeking in earnest, we have accessed a Power greater than ourselves. All we need to do for proof is to examine the results.

84:12

They will always materialize if we work for them.

The key is that we must work to build sufficient spiritual experience so that we may draw upon it when we are challenged or tempted. These profound changes in our lives come about as the result of the repeated application of spiritual principles in all areas of our lives. It works for everyone who honestly tries.

84:13

This thought brings us to Step Ten, which suggests we continue to take personal inventory and continue to set right any new mistakes as we go along.

To continue, we must first begin. We learn how to take inventory in Steps Four and Five. We learn how to address our character defects in Steps Six and Seven. We learn how to make amends for the harm we have caused in Steps Eight and Nine. We practice these techniques until we master them. Then we are at Step 10.

84:15

We have entered the world of Spirit.

We enter the world of the Spirit when we have cleared away all the obstacles that stand in our way. To maintain our conscious contact with our Higher Power we must continue to practice the principles of the program. Should we revert back to self-sufficiency we become separate from God.

84:16

Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness.

We grow by study and practice. Bill W. adopted spiritual ideas and practices that brought about a spiritual awakening while in Town's Hospital. He reflected upon his experience so that he could transmit this experience to others. The result was the Twelve Steps of AA. By studying this program of action and practicing the principles described in this book, we become more effective at carrying this solution to others.

84:18

It should continue for our life time.

The steps of this program are not magic tricks to be performed once so that they might solve all our problems. Rather, the steps are a discipline, a body of theory and technique that must be studied and practiced if we are to be able to apply this program to our lives. We continue with the techniques we have begun to practice in the earlier steps. We continue to write our inventory. We continue to admit our shortcomings. We continue to ask God for relief from our shortcomings and we continue to make amends when we are wrong.

84:22-23

Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help. Love and tolerance of others is our code.

Being freed from the chains of selfishness we are able to follow a path that leads to happiness, joy, and fulfillment. Our very lives depend upon this change of motivation (20:1). While we are in the grip of selfishness we are dead to the Spirit. Our work helping others brings our faith to life so that we may truly live.

Source:
The Annotated AA Handbook
Frank D