Sought through prayer and meditation

[shaun00]

The book gives us pretty clear information how to improve our concious contact with god.

But in my view, the book is just a beginning with regards to spiritual advancement.....a spring board if you like......god is limitless in every aspect.

Id like to hear about your experience with praying......has it changed throughout your recovery.... how has that advanced and how is your discipline ? did you find a practice that deepened your prayers..?

Meditation,?.......same questions...... also, did you find a method or practice that improved your meditation technique.....i do struggle with this one.

[UpperbucksAAguy]

The 11th step led me to seek outside spiritual direction. In many ways it was about studying, reading, investigating. The writings of Henri Nouwen are a big part of my contemplative prayer

[Boleo]

Originally Posted by shaun00

Meditation,?.......same questions...... also, did you find a method or practice that improved your meditation technique.....i do struggle with this one.

I have found that meditation is just one of many ways to learn the importance of spiritual detachment. That is, stepping back from all judgement & expectations and detaching from the outcome.

[shaun00]

[QUOTEI have found that meditation is just one of many ways to learn the importance of spiritual detachment. That is, stepping back from all judgement & expectations and detaching from the outcome.
__________________][/QUOTE]

Did you find a meditation technique that helped.....detachment for me is a hit and miss thing, sometimes im pretty good at that and find a peaceful state of mind.
other times, i have a tendency to run with it. ....Id be interested to hear about that...i have a meditation cd , that i found helpful from Danny s....but again the actual discipline of taking time out to do it can wane at times.

[UpperbucksAAguy]

RUnning

[omegasupreme]

Originally Posted by UpperbucksAAguy

RUnning

I'm always astounded by what comes to me while exercising/running. I swear it hits harder than when I set aside specific time to "meditate."

Also had some neat experiences with guided imagery meditations; in particular The Ribbon Breath meditation by Ticia Agri.

Yoga is also inspiring at times. I don't get to do it as often as I like but my schedule should be loosening up in a week or two...so more to come on that on.

My most consistent 11th step readings of recent come from an Advaita teacher, Floyd H. He's one of us, a protege of the late Mark H. Some great unlearning tools...took me all the way back to a child and the faulty programming I have picked all along the way. Am I enlightened? I doubt it, but some interesting unlearning happening.

More to come as I dive into a couple books with my sponsor in the near future...

[sugarbear1]

struggling is humbly awesome!

[TheJungianThing]

I started off with this.

Spiritual Reality - Part 1 Cosmic Energy and Meditation - YouTube
Spiritual Reality ( Meditation ) Part 2 of 4 - YouTube
Spiritual Reality ( Meditation ) Part 3 of 4 - YouTube
Spiritual Reality ( Meditation ) Part 4 of 4 - YouTube

Did that for awhile. So far no "astral projection" or really "third eye" type stuff

"It doesn't work" --- that's my alcoholic response. But I kept doing it more or less consistently depending upon my responisbilities.

I then went more for "performance oriented" things and read about Brainwave Entrainment. Downloaded some free binaural beats.

Brainwave entrainment - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Listen to that while observing the breath.

The changes have been subtle - to me - no great visions or hunches, but I have felt I've been able to focus better, feel less like a chicken running around with my head cut off, etc...

As for prayer I pretty much just literally pray for knowledge of His will for me and the power to carry that out. When I need to pray for people I'm resenting, I pray for that - for them. For my loved ones, same thing. I still weave in the Our Father, the 3 and 7th Step prayers from time to time but that's mostly during the day while I'm driving, working, etc..

[Tommyh]

Shaun
the big book gives us excally what I need to answer your questions.I do nothing nor do I need anything outside the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous personally.
this will probably be a long post,maybe 2 parts ....bear with me here


The problem is we alcoholics do not follow the precise directions very well or very thoroughly.That`s the main problem,maybe the only problem.

Here is what I mean,which means I will have to post a few lines from the book and then my experience.

To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. From the start,Bill Wilson is telling me,Tommy H.,I need to follow the directions excally as he and others had written in the book,leaving nothing out or changing anything.

from Bill`s testimony,his story

I was to test my thinking by the new God-consciousness within. Common sense would thus become uncommon sense. I was to sit quietly when in doubt, asking only for direction and strength to meet my problems as He would have me. Never was I to pray for myself, except as my requests bore on my usefulness to others. Then only might I expect to receive. But that would be in great measure.
My friend promised when these things were done I would enter upon a new relationship with my Creator; that I would have the elements of a way of living which answered all my problems. Belief in the power of God, plus enough willingness, honesty and humility to establish and maintain the new order of things, were the essential requirements. Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid. It meant destruction of self-centeredness. I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all.

from We Agnostics

Actually we were fooling ourselves, for deep down in every man, woman, and child, is the fundamental idea of God. It may be obscured by calamity, by pomp, by worship of other things, but in some form or other it is there. For faith in a Power greater than ourselves, and miraculous demonstrations of that power in human lives, are facts as old as man himself.
We finally saw that faith in some kind of God was a part of our make-up, just as much as the feeling we have for a friend. Sometimes we had to search fearlessly,
[[[ inside is where we are to search ]]]
but He was there. He was as much a fact as we were. We found the Great Reality deep down within us. In the last analysis it is only there that He may be found. It was so with us.

[Tommyh]

When we retire at night, we constructively review our day. Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid? Do we owe an apology? Have we kept something to ourselves which should be discussed with another person at once? Were we kind and loving toward all? What could we have done better? Were we thinking of ourselves most of the time? Or were we thinking of what we could do for others, of what we could pack into the stream of life? But we must be careful not to drift into worry, remorse or morbid reflection, for that would diminish our usefulness to others. After making our review we ask God’s forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken.

On awakening let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives. Under these conditions we can employ our mental faculties with assurance, for after all God gave us brains to use. Our thought-life will be placed on a much higher plane when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives.

In thinking about our day we may face indecision. We may not be able to determine which course to take. Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. we relax and take it easy. We don’t struggle. We are often surprised how the right answers come after we have tried this for a while.
What used to be the hunch or the occasional inspiration gradually becomes a working part of the mind. Being still inexperienced and having just made conscious contact with God, it is not probable that we are going to be inspired at all times. We might pay for this presumption in all sorts of absurd actions and ideas. Nevertheless, we find that our thinking will, as time passes, be more and more on the plane of inspiration. We come to rely upon it.( This is where I must live daily)

We usually conclude the period of meditation with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems. We ask especially for freedom from self-will, and are careful to make no request for ourselves only. We may ask for ourselves, however, if others will be helped. We are careful never to pray for our own selfish ends. Many of us have wasted a lot of time doing that and it doesn’t work. You can easily see why.
If circumstances warrant, we ask our wives or friends to join us in morning meditation. If we belong to a religious denomination which requires a definite morning devotion, we attend to that also. If not members of religious bodies, we sometimes select and memorize a few set prayers which emphasize the principles we have been discussing. There are many helpful books also. Suggestions about these may be obtained from one’s priest, minister, or rabbi. Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer.
As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day “Thy will be done.” We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves.
It works - it really does.
We alcoholics are undisciplined. So we let God discipline us in the simple way we have just outlined.


Shaun,the forward to the first edition makes it clear to me to follow these directions precisely
Bill tells me what Ebby promised him,and tells me to do the same,to sit quietly....
we agnostics tells me what is inside me and what to do to find it....sit quietly and fearlessly search inside
pages 86-88 gives me simple daily directions to follow precisely.

now if I do ,the big book tells me what will happen.....I let God discipline me in the simple way we have just outlined

God uses these precise directions to discipline me

example,my book says,upon awakening,not 3 hours after I open my peepers
when we retire,not the next week.
when I do these things,my conscious contact with God increases.I need not mix in other stuff to muddle or confuse the clear AA message.The message is enough for me,God`s leading,disciplining and His Grace is sufficient for me.Everything else is worldly clamors for me and I must set them aside.

I have had so many intuitive thoughts "pop" into my head it makes me dizzy sometimes.Our human reflex action is to NOT take action on the "thoughts",when we take action on them,miracles happen.

Maybe you get those thoughts and are not taking immediate actions sometimes?
that is normal for us as it is hard to separate those thoughts sometimes.
only following thru on them will enable us to grow in the direction God wants us to grow in
another biggie for me is
Or were we thinking of what we could do for others, of what we could pack into the stream of life?

if I skip that,I miss out on my life`s calling and God`s blessing

all quotes from my last 2 posts are from 1st edition of the big book

[Tommyh]

Shaun,by following those simple clear directions,I am the happiest I have ever been.Isn`t that one of the main things we all want out of life,a chance to be happy?
My book promises me I will be happy,joyous and free if i stay on the path it describes,and it did not lie to me

[Boleo]

Originally Posted by shaun00

Did you find a meditation technique that helped.....detachment for me is a hit and miss thing, sometimes im pretty good at that and find a peaceful state of mind.

I learned it from a Deepak Chopra audio book (can't remember the title). He calls it "The Gap" but it is really closer to ZaZen.

Guided Zen Buddhist Meditation Method - YouTube

[WakeUp]

Shaun,
There's a great book on meditation called, "Mindfulness in Plain English" by a guy with a loooong name that stats with a G.
If you look it up on Amazon, you'll find it.

[BadCompany]

http://youtu.be/PRnPtOmY-3w
This guy gives a great lecture on prayer.

[UpperbucksAAguy]

http://www.urbandharma.org/pdf/mindf...in_english.pdf

[Veritas1]

My prayers have changed from "just at night" bedtime prayers with some occasional prayers throughout the day since I have begun seeking God.

I now find myself taking time daily to stop, go to a quiet place, turn off all sounds, except for nature of the birds chirping in the beautiful trees.

I will sit, close my eyes, and be still.

The thoughts and prayers, to God will come. Tears come too.

Sometimes I will have a pad and paper and write down that comes to me as I am crying out my problem, and hearing, or thinking of answers, or what thoughts come up for me.

I spend this time alone, quiet, in silence.

It has become my time, and if I miss it, I realize that it's time to "go get with God" as I heard one of my AA friends call it.

To make time to stop, to go get with God. This is something I never did, but I think has helped me because I can do this when agitated instead of drinking, or if upset.

I am at very basic stages of prayer and meditation but wanted to share what I have found has changed for me.

[Notabobblehead]

My praying and meditation have changed overtime. This is probably the number one asked question from sponsees.

I tell them this is how I do it. You will find what works for you.

Mine takes me about 20 min:

Number one I turn a fan on the 2nd setting (year round). I need outside noises drowned out. I haven’t been able to do that without a fan. Yet.

1. I start out by praying on my knees for any people I feel resentment toward.
2. I ask God to remove any short comings I have found in my 10th step inventories so I can be of service. (Corny but that’s what I believe and do)
- I frequently read step 11 from either the BB or the St Francis prayer from 12 & 12.
3. I ask God to direct my thinking all through the day.
-I get up from my knees and get very comfortable in bed. (Works for me)
4. I read three different daily meditation books.
5. I then start meditating. I try to just BE with God. Sometimes thoughts come and I jot them in a journal. I’m good if they come or if they don't.

What comes from practicing this: pg 88 BB
We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves. It works - it really does.

Quotes are from Alcoholic Anonymous 1st addition.

[Veritas1]

Originally Posted by Tommyh

When we retire at night, we constructively review our day. Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid? Do we owe an apology? Have we kept something to ourselves which should be discussed with another person at once? Were we kind and loving toward all? What could we have done better? Were we thinking of ourselves most of the time? Or were we thinking of what we could do for others, of what we could pack into the stream of life? But we must be careful not to drift into worry, remorse or morbid reflection, for that would diminish our usefulness to others. After making our review we ask God’s forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken.

On awakening let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives. Under these conditions we can employ our mental faculties with assurance, for after all God gave us brains to use. Our thought-life will be placed on a much higher plane when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives.

In thinking about our day we may face indecision. We may not be able to determine which course to take. Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. we relax and take it easy. We don’t struggle. We are often surprised how the right answers come after we have tried this for a while.
What used to be the hunch or the occasional inspiration gradually becomes a working part of the mind. Being still inexperienced and having just made conscious contact with God, it is not probable that we are going to be inspired at all times. We might pay for this presumption in all sorts of absurd actions and ideas. Nevertheless, we find that our thinking will, as time passes, be more and more on the plane of inspiration. We come to rely upon it.( This is where I must live daily)

We usually conclude the period of meditation with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems. We ask especially for freedom from self-will, and are careful to make no request for ourselves only. We may ask for ourselves, however, if others will be helped. We are careful never to pray for our own selfish ends. Many of us have wasted a lot of time doing that and it doesn’t work. You can easily see why.
If circumstances warrant, we ask our wives or friends to join us in morning meditation. If we belong to a religious denomination which requires a definite morning devotion, we attend to that also. If not members of religious bodies, we sometimes select and memorize a few set prayers which emphasize the principles we have been discussing. There are many helpful books also. Suggestions about these may be obtained from one’s priest, minister, or rabbi. Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer.
As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day “Thy will be done.” We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves.
It works - it really does.
We alcoholics are undisciplined. So we let God discipline us in the simple way we have just outlined.


Shaun,the forward to the first edition makes it clear to me to follow these directions precisely
Bill tells me what Ebby promised him,and tells me to do the same,to sit quietly....
we agnostics tells me what is inside me and what to do to find it....sit quietly and fearlessly search inside
pages 86-88 gives me simple daily directions to follow precisely.

now if I do ,the big book tells me what will happen.....I let God discipline me in the simple way we have just outlined

God uses these precise directions to discipline me

example,my book says,upon awakening,not 3 hours after I open my peepers
when we retire,not the next week.
when I do these things,my conscious contact with God increases.I need not mix in other stuff to muddle or confuse the clear AA message.The message is enough for me,God`s leading,disciplining and His Grace is sufficient for me.Everything else is worldly clamors for me and I must set them aside.

I have had so many intuitive thoughts "pop" into my head it makes me dizzy sometimes.Our human reflex action is to NOT take action on the "thoughts",when we take action on them,miracles happen.

Maybe you get those thoughts and are not taking immediate actions sometimes?
that is normal for us as it is hard to separate those thoughts sometimes.
only following thru on them will enable us to grow in the direction God wants us to grow in
another biggie for me is
Or were we thinking of what we could do for others, of what we could pack into the stream of life?

if I skip that,I miss out on my life`s calling and God`s blessing

all quotes from my last 2 posts are from 1st edition of the big book

Tommy, I was going to write a reply to Shaun about how my time with God is basic, and how it went from prayers at night or throughout the day to getting quiet with God, a term my sponsor taught me a long time ago.

I wrote how I now go and find a quiet place, and sit in silence.

It took a long to time to post, so I just closed the page, and it dropped from post.

I figured ...good....my post, my way is to basic anyway, not profound, and certainly what do I know after drinking over and over again.

But then I thought to read the thread, and learn from others.

I came to yours, and as I was reading, started to cry, because you wrote what I was going to write, although, much better!...

I started to cry, because I was like, Hey! that's what I do! That's what I have learned to do!

I felt tears and gratitude, thinking, hey I might just have this deal. I am doing that. I have learned that.

[Veritas1]

LOL, my first post did post!

[Tommyh]

Veritas,I know a lady,sober 3 years, who does the same and she said in a meeting one night,she can easily discern God`s instructions and voice in her conscience now...wow
that got to me,really encouraged me to keep it up at that time.
It takes practice and time but it works!

Originally Posted by Veritas1

My prayers have changed from "just at night" bedtime prayers with some occasional prayers throughout the day since I have begun seeking God.

I now find myself taking time daily to stop, go to a quiet place, turn off all sounds, except for nature of the birds chirping in the beautiful trees.

I will sit, close my eyes, and be still.

The thoughts and prayers, to God will come. Tears come too.

Sometimes I will have a pad and paper and write down that comes to me as I am crying out my problem, and hearing, or thinking of answers, or what thoughts come up for me.

I spend this time alone, quiet, in silence.

It has become my time, and if I miss it, I realize that it's time to "go get with God" as I heard one of my AA friends call it.

To make time to stop, to go get with God. This is something I never did, but I think has helped me because I can do this when agitated instead of drinking, or if upset.

I am at very basic stages of prayer and meditation but wanted to share what I have found has changed for me.