Complete deflation - that's what it took - guess that's what it takes ?
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lakeside, Ca
Posts: 10,208
Complete deflation - that's what it took - guess that's what it takes ?
Number 1 or the original 6 Steps
1 -- Complete deflation
My Sponsor adds to that -- Complete deflation of the EGO
Yes, the understanding of and suffering with this Step
brought me sober into recovery
Here is the issue after 8 years without a drink or drug
it seems that at times my EGO runs wild and once again
that causes depression
and then once more I'm down and out
until I get back to that painful starting point once again
Complete deflation of EGO
man what a ride
one that I would rather stay clear of
but, once again here I go.
Smash the EGO, then I'm free of self once more.
MB
1 -- Complete deflation
My Sponsor adds to that -- Complete deflation of the EGO
Yes, the understanding of and suffering with this Step
brought me sober into recovery
Here is the issue after 8 years without a drink or drug
it seems that at times my EGO runs wild and once again
that causes depression
and then once more I'm down and out
until I get back to that painful starting point once again
Complete deflation of EGO
man what a ride
one that I would rather stay clear of
but, once again here I go.
Smash the EGO, then I'm free of self once more.
MB
12 Step Recovered Alcoholic
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 6,613
Destruction of Ego, the false self seems to be paramount for the transformational type of recovery that the big book talks about.
A wise man explained that a person will have no need of nor be capable of feeling a need for a higher power until their own power has been exhausted (ego deflated) and a higher octane power is needed.
While the false self is in charge he will be able to see the splinter in his brother's eye, but completely unable to see the log in his own.
A wise man explained that a person will have no need of nor be capable of feeling a need for a higher power until their own power has been exhausted (ego deflated) and a higher octane power is needed.
While the false self is in charge he will be able to see the splinter in his brother's eye, but completely unable to see the log in his own.
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: northern michigan. not the U.P.
Posts: 15,281
something i needed for that complete deflation, which is in the bb and its one of the memories of that 1st week. reading this i broke down crying remembering many times i felt this:
pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization.
pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lakeside, Ca
Posts: 10,208
Repentance seems to be one of the main parts of my Program.
In order to Repent -- Complete deflation -- helps in the process.
Actually it is a major part of the process.
Step 10 also comes to mind.
“Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.”
My Sponsor often adds, " why did they put that word promptly in there?"
Usually added with a little laugh.
For sometimes on my end it is not that promptly.
MB
In order to Repent -- Complete deflation -- helps in the process.
Actually it is a major part of the process.
Step 10 also comes to mind.
“Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.”
My Sponsor often adds, " why did they put that word promptly in there?"
Usually added with a little laugh.
For sometimes on my end it is not that promptly.
MB
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,781
Great stuff Bob, thank you.. We were talking about the 11th Step and prayer this morning at my meeting.. Great topic!
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.
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.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: WA
Posts: 891
I'm reading "Practicing the Power on Now", the recognition and separation of the false self, the Ego is a key to contented sobriety, to life. With enough practice one can observe the Ego almost from a detached perspective. I've not found the solution to erasing the Ego completely, but it knows I'm on to it.
Mini Novel Post Writer
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,649
I've not found the solution to erasing the Ego completely, but it knows I'm on to it.
What a paradox. I used to refer to certain people with disgust and how they felt the earth revolved around them. Little did I know that my observation said more about me than I realized.
I have to say that in doing this work in the steps there is a new self emerging. It's one of the most freeing things I have ever felt. The grinding is gone, replaced with a sense of newfound understanding of purpose. I am not on this earth for me. I am here to be useful. The more useful I am to others the more I grow spiritually and the more the absence of ego occurs.
It's mind boggling to realize that I have lived the way that I have for so many years and never understood. By the grace of God I have finally found my way and it's enlightening.
What a gift.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lakeside, Ca
Posts: 10,208
It's hard for the younger ones to understand at times that pride and EGO are not necessarily good traits to have. The world tells us that pride is a wonderful thing. The Bible and many other books of wisdom does not speak highly of it.
Ease God Out
M-Bob
Ease God Out
M-Bob
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 2,950
Ego deflation is good in a way. So that you can see yourself for what you've truly turned in to because of alcohol. That rock bottom everyone talks about, it has nothing to do with losing STUFF. It's really about losing yourself. When you look in the mirror and no longer like or even recognize yourself, that's rock bottom.
The ego, by definition, protects you from that happening. If you're like me, your ego does not rest on how much stuff you have anyway, so losing stuff won't matter. For some, their job and their lifestyle gives them self-esteem, and having that stripped away makes them question their self worth enough to have that rock bottom moment.
The ego, by definition, protects you from that happening. If you're like me, your ego does not rest on how much stuff you have anyway, so losing stuff won't matter. For some, their job and their lifestyle gives them self-esteem, and having that stripped away makes them question their self worth enough to have that rock bottom moment.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lakeside, Ca
Posts: 10,208
I had hit the worst of bottoms.
I felt completely deflated.
The man in the mirror made me sick.
I crawled back into AA.
Down the sober road found this site.
Built a new sober life.
Got to keep the wife.
Not much more to say.
It's been another great sober day.
M-Bob
I felt completely deflated.
The man in the mirror made me sick.
I crawled back into AA.
Down the sober road found this site.
Built a new sober life.
Got to keep the wife.
Not much more to say.
It's been another great sober day.
M-Bob
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,781
Happy Friday, Bob!!
My Ego is not my amigo! I have to keep my ego in check every day! I'm fortunate my club is right around the corner.. also so greatful for my family here at SR!!
Multiple hammers to smash my big ego!! Trying to make it to 12:01 am.. Happy, joyous, Free!!
My Ego is not my amigo! I have to keep my ego in check every day! I'm fortunate my club is right around the corner.. also so greatful for my family here at SR!!
Multiple hammers to smash my big ego!! Trying to make it to 12:01 am.. Happy, joyous, Free!!
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: canada
Posts: 7,242
Here is the issue after 8 years without a drink or drug
it seems that at times my EGO runs wild and once again
that causes depression
Bob, i doubt that is the cause of depression, though it causes other sufferings.
if you think you have depression, best talk with a good health care professional.
it seems that at times my EGO runs wild and once again
that causes depression
Bob, i doubt that is the cause of depression, though it causes other sufferings.
if you think you have depression, best talk with a good health care professional.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: West Tn
Posts: 3,043
Originally Posted by tomsteve 
something i needed for that complete deflation, which is in the bb and its one of the memories of that 1st week. reading this i broke down crying remembering many times i felt this:
pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization.
pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization.
That's when I made room for God to re-enter my life.
I had excluded Him for many years.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 1,111
Interesting bit of history...
I love Harry Tiebout's papers on ego deflation and Surrender. ..all worth reading...
http://silkworth.net/tiebout/tiebout_surrender.html
P
I love Harry Tiebout's papers on ego deflation and Surrender. ..all worth reading...
http://silkworth.net/tiebout/tiebout_surrender.html
P
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