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jimhere · 02-12-2009, 08:45 AM

Two parts to this tradition. The group conscience and leadership.

What is an informed group conscience and how is God expressed in that group conscience? This taken largely from the pamphlet "The A.A. Group."

-Careful discussion pro and con. We take our time, there are no emergencies
in AA. If we have to "call the question," there hasn't been enough discussion.

-God's voice can only be heard if we all get to be God's voice. Thus, the minority voice is vital because when it spurs discussion. An informed group conscience is the spiritual expression of the group's conscience. If there is not an informed group conscience, the group will die. It may continue to meet and vaguely resemble an AA meeting, but it will not be a group. The meeting is only one function of the group, but it is probably the main expression of the group's conscience.

-Practice of AA principles keeps personalities out of the picture. The principles of the right of the minority voice to be heard and the right of participation apply here. The minority voice is the most important voice in AA. It is the loving hand of God that keeps us in check. It keeps us from being tyranized by an apathetic, self-seeking, uninformed, angry, and hasty majority. The minority is encouraged to speak up. Indeed it has a duty to speak up. However, after it has made it's case, and is unable to sway the group, it has a responsibility to let go and trust the group conscience.

-Listening. I used to think AA was all about talking, when really it is about listening. I can only hear God's voice if I am listening, and I can only truly listen when my mind is quiet. So my own recovery plays a part in this process. By cleaning house on a regular basis, I keep my mind uncluttered enough to hear God's voice, which usually sounds like your voice. Lots of times you hear that "meditiation is listening and prayer is talking." Not so. Listening is prayer. Listening also lets you know that you are important to me.

-Don't fight or participate in quarrels. Speak up in truth and with love. Fighting is divisive. No lectures to be endured, no people to please, no axes to grind, etc.

-Respect as a principle. Do I show respect for my group's conscience? For your group's conscience? My group is my home and your group is your home. When I am a guest in your home, I should show respect for your home.

-So, when we all get to be God's voice and when we can set aside differences and personalities so that that voice can be expressed, what happens is unity. All of the Traditions point back to unity. Perhaps you noticed that I reference a couple of Concepts. The Concepts are just a broad form of The Second Tradition.
Jim

Big Book references from Alcoholics Anonymous, First Edition

02-12-2009, 08:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
jimhere Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 2,392	Part 1 Two parts to this tradition. The group conscience and leadership. What is an informed group conscience and how is God expressed in that group conscience? This taken largely from the pamphlet "The A.A. Group." -Careful discussion pro and con. We take our time, there are no emergencies in AA. If we have to "call the question," there hasn't been enough discussion. -God's voice can only be heard if we all get to be God's voice. Thus, the minority voice is vital because when it spurs discussion. An informed group conscience is the spiritual expression of the group's conscience. If there is not an informed group conscience, the group will die. It may continue to meet and vaguely resemble an AA meeting, but it will not be a group. The meeting is only one function of the group, but it is probably the main expression of the group's conscience. -Practice of AA principles keeps personalities out of the picture. The principles of the right of the minority voice to be heard and the right of participation apply here. The minority voice is the most important voice in AA. It is the loving hand of God that keeps us in check. It keeps us from being tyranized by an apathetic, self-seeking, uninformed, angry, and hasty majority. The minority is encouraged to speak up. Indeed it has a duty to speak up. However, after it has made it's case, and is unable to sway the group, it has a responsibility to let go and trust the group conscience. -Listening. I used to think AA was all about talking, when really it is about listening. I can only hear God's voice if I am listening, and I can only truly listen when my mind is quiet. So my own recovery plays a part in this process. By cleaning house on a regular basis, I keep my mind uncluttered enough to hear God's voice, which usually sounds like your voice. Lots of times you hear that "meditiation is listening and prayer is talking." Not so. Listening is prayer. Listening also lets you know that you are important to me. -Don't fight or participate in quarrels. Speak up in truth and with love. Fighting is divisive. No lectures to be endured, no people to please, no axes to grind, etc. -Respect as a principle. Do I show respect for my group's conscience? For your group's conscience? My group is my home and your group is your home. When I am a guest in your home, I should show respect for your home. -So, when we all get to be God's voice and when we can set aside differences and personalities so that that voice can be expressed, what happens is unity. All of the Traditions point back to unity. Perhaps you noticed that I reference a couple of Concepts. The Concepts are just a broad form of The Second Tradition. Jim Big Book references from Alcoholics Anonymous, First Edition