Step 6

[UpperbucksAAguy]

"we then look at Step Six. We have emphasized willingness as being indispensable. Are we now ready to let God remove from us all the things which we have admitted are objectionable? Can He now take them all—everyone?If we still cling to something we will not let go, we ask God to help us be willing." (BB page 76)

There are directions in step 6. In meetings you will hear about not praying for patience, but if you have a defect of character of impatience you are directed by the Big Book to ask God to help you be willing correct?

[UpperbucksAAguy]

Step 6 is also where we should be making the transition from sponsor dependence to God dependence

[Tommyh]

step 6 brought me to a point-a point where I asked myself
what is it I really believe?
Do I believe God can really remove these character defects?
Will He?

[Tommyh]

Originally Posted by UpperbucksAAguy

Step 6 is also where we should be making the transition from sponsor dependence to God dependence

my sponsor got me into that mode from the start when we started out our get together `s in prayer.It is a spiritual program and we made it as spiritual as possible from the start.Step 3 really made a big difference for me and when it came time to write out 4,I was trusting(my belief) and relying(my actions) in God.

[freya]

The thing that separates the men from the boys is the willingness to give up any self-determined objective whatsoever....

...and...

In Step 7, we ask, not that God remove our character defects/shortcomings, but that He remove any defect of character that stands in the way of our usefulness to Him and our fellows.

(...and I've plagiarized all of that from Don M. of Louisville, KY, but...) If you take those 2 ideas into prayer and meditation, I'd be willing to bet that you can have a deep and profound experience with these 2 Steps.

freya

[UpperbucksAAguy]

I think step 9 is the one that separates the men from the boys ( I know I know, 12&12 says...)

[KnowHope]

Originally Posted by UpperbucksAAguy

Step 6 is also where we should be making the transition from sponsor dependence to God dependence

Not sure where this idea comes from, but I know it's not in the BB. My sponsor emphasized to me that their goal was to get me God dependent rather than sponsor dependent as quickly as possible. I have seen and experienced this at various stages in the process. They also drove the idea home to me: people will always let you down. Your mother is going to let you down, your father, your brother, your sister, your boss, your teacher, even your sponsor will let you down. Why? Not because they're bad people, but simply because they're people. Human power. Love them anyway. Heck, I even let myself down! But, my sponsor told me, your Higher Power will never let you down.

[Boleo]

Originally Posted by UpperbucksAAguy

Step 6 is also where we should be making the transition from sponsor dependence to God dependence

Pretty good analogy. But then again, sometimes the good is the enemy of the best:

Step 6 is also where we should be making the transition from sponsor dependence to Principle dependence.

"The truth is something so noble, that if God were to step aside from it, I would grab hold of the truth and let go of God."
- Meister Eckhart

[Kelltic]

Thanks for this. I'm almost done with my inventory for step 4, so I'm not up to 6 but...last night I got into a disagreement with my husband. I prayed and my higher power helped me shut my trap before I fell into the old habit of saying something hurtful. Though the steps are sequential, I am finding that awareness of them all is helping me to work them all a little bit, especially in the spiritual sense.

Am I correct in my belief that step 6 requires not just willingness on my part but ACTION, like prayer and consequential thinking?

[UpperbucksAAguy]

Knowhope, it isn't spelled out exactly in my Big Book either ( that's cute- my Big Book, I thought it was the same one)

For most of us, we are hanging on to our group, our sponsors and our meetings like they are the lifeline. Our sponsors usually guide us through the 4th step. Maybe that wasn't your experience, but it was mine and countless others I know. Step 3 suggests taking with another person ( understanding friend...) Step 5 prayer is just us and God, if we can answer satisfactorily to ourselves we move to step 6. We are not directed to do anything else. Why is that? I am not anti sponsor at all. I happen to believe the amends process is the greatest sponsorship step of all, but the nature of the relationship must change at this point. I should also point out that the way I sponsor the goal is to get you to step 8 as soon as possible. Often ( not always) within a matter of days.

[2granddaughters]

I've got to get my Bible back out. I thought one of the 10 Commandments was:

"Honor thy Father and thy Mother and thy Sponsor" ....

All the best to everyone.

Bob R

[Tommyh]

we are hanging on to our group, our sponsors and our meetings like they are the lifeline.

Thats a good definition of how to live agnostically and try to manage your own alcoholism.It don`t make me happy,joyous and free...
these are human things and they will not relieve my alcoholism for very long.Others can hang onto them if they want too,but I have been down that road and for me,it leads to insanity,unhappiness and a bar.

[Tommyh]

the amends process should be between me and God only as a general rule of thumb.
By then I am trusting and relying in God solely the best I can.

I have stepped thru the archway to freedom and I am a free man at this point if I have not left anything out on the first 7 steps and did them to the very best of my ability.

[NYCDoglvr]

Step 6 is also where we should be making the transition from sponsor dependence to God dependence

Disagrees........the word "should" isn't right. We get there when we get there. Some people might be, others may never get there but that doesn't mean they'll drink or that they failed. Bill W created a program for people of any belief, including agnostics and atheists.