A Darwinist Approach to the 12 Steps

[Pagekeeper]

I’ve been in and out of AA for years. I’d drag myself in, tired and broken from the pain of alcoholism, only to realize that the religious dogma of AA made it impossible for someone like me to get sober. I am an atheist. My atheism has nothing to do with drinking or not drinking. It is based on my having done research, evaluated the evidence, and found religion to be severely lacking. I’ve tried “faking belief.” Faking it did not keep me sober. Praying to my sponsor’s God did not keep me sober either. All it did was make me feel like a phony and a hypocrite. I had to find something I could truly believe, and that is when I began thinking about the similarities between the 12 steps and the process of evolution.

I wanted to share my ideas just in case anyone else can use them or would like to get a different perspective of the 12 steps. I’m in no way trying to push the steps on anyone. I know there are other ways to get sober and to be happy in recovery. But for those who want to try the steps, and who have struggled with the same obstacles I have, maybe my experience can help (or maybe not!)

I’m not a scientist, but I have always been fascinated by the Theory of Evolution, and I’ve read somewhat extensively on the subject, so I do understand a few things. The first thing I understand is that evolution is a cumulative process, meaning many small changes occur over a very, very long period of time. These changes are often so slight as to be unnoticeable. Natural Selection is the process in which certain traits become more common or less common. So evolution happens as a result of natural selection.

I find the 12 steps to be very compatible with evolution. I believe the steps are a form of "intelligent design” in the sense that they are man-made. I also believe natural selection and evolution are powers greater than myself. The steps, to me, are a form of natural selection which results in the evolution of character, or a personality change. They are also a cumulative process--it's many small changes that gradually take place over a very long period of time. Of course, the amount of change depends on how much effort I put into it. In step 4, I’m essentially looking for those personality traits which cause me problems. Through steps 5, 6 and 7, I use a process to remove them—first, I become aware of them consciously, then I begin to notice when I’m acting those traits out, next I begin to change my behavior so that the trait becomes unnecessary, and finally I’m free from the behavior or very rarely having as much trouble with it. Essentially I’m getting rid of those personality traits which benefited me while I was drunk but that no longer benefit me if I want to live sober. If I don't try to get rid of these traits, or at least make vast improvements upon them, I may drink again because I often use the consequences of these behaviors as excuses to pick up a drink, and the fewer excuses I have to drink, the less of a chance that I will.

So in order for me, as an alcoholic, to "survive" the harsh environment of my illness (alcoholism) I’ve tried to select and discard (or vastly improve upon) those traits which make me vulnerable to the elements of my illness: having the obsession, the emotional triggers, and those insane moments of rationalizing my drinking.

Thanks for reading.

[ananda]

that is soooo awsome paige...do you mind if i print this out to share with people who i meet who might be able to use these concepts?

You have made my day

[Pagekeeper]

Yes, feel free to print and share. Hope it helps someone!

[RobbyRobot]

Originally Posted by Pagekeeper

....I’m not a scientist, but I have always been fascinated by the Theory of Evolution, and I’ve read somewhat extensively on the subject, so I do understand a few things....

I find the 12 steps to be very compatible with evolution. I believe the steps are a form of "intelligent design” in the sense that they are man-made. I also believe natural selection and evolution are powers greater than myself. The steps, to me, are a form of natural selection which results in the evolution of character, or a personality change. They are also a cumulative process--it's many small changes that gradually take place over a very long period of time. Of course, the amount of change depends on how much effort I put into it. In step 4, I’m essentially looking for those personality traits which cause me problems. Through steps 5, 6 and 7, I use a process to remove them—first, I become aware of them consciously, then I begin to notice when I’m acting those traits out, next I begin to change my behavior so that the trait becomes unnecessary, and finally I’m free from the behavior or very rarely having as much trouble with it. Essentially I’m getting rid of those personality traits which benefited me while I was drunk but that no longer benefit me if I want to live sober. If I don't try to get rid of these traits, or at least make vast improvements upon them, I may drink again because I often use the consequences of these behaviors as excuses to pick up a drink, and the fewer excuses I have to drink, the less of a chance that I will.

So in order for me, as an alcoholic, to "survive" the harsh environment of my illness (alcoholism) I’ve tried to select and discard (or vastly improve upon) those traits which make me vulnerable to the elements of my illness: having the obsession, the emotional triggers, and those insane moments of rationalizing my drinking.

Thanks for reading.

Page,

It's amazing just how personally intuitive the 12 Steps can be for each of us when we are willing; informing one person to another, without leaving any one of us abandoned or wanting; supporting those who have a deep desire to embrace the Steps. At the end of the day, what works works.

Its a big big world for all of us. How very cool that you have found *your* foundational rock to stand on!



RR

[cambridge]

This is really great, wonder how I missed it the first time around. Thanks for helping me think outside the box a bit.

[mburnsc]

so do you think of your higher power as evolution then? the great power that has brought us from apes in the forest and plains to the modern day human?

[Pagekeeper]

My HP is an inner resource that allows change, given the right circumstances, it's the force driving the rearrangement in my thinking.

[Ceres]

<bump>

[SonOF]

Bravo.

[topspin]

You deserve big props for that post. ! ..........great stuff





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[ninja7]

Hi, Pager! I totally support your concept of HP. But I can not explain that HP is outside my self with that concept. Could you explain it for me, if it possible?

[Pagekeeper]

Hi Ninja. Nice name.

Oh goodness. First off, you must realize I wrote this post 18 months ago. I was 6 months sober at the time. I'm glad people find it helpful, though. Our book tells us that the "realm of the spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive, never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek."

I was a very active seeker in early recovery, and I still am. I knew if I did not enlarge my spiritual life that I would not stay sober. I spent a lot of time thinking about a higher power, pondering the possibilities, and writing things like this post.

But I will be very honest. I'm in a completely different place today then when I wrote this post. As I should be if our program of action works. When I wrote this, I had not yet developed a conscious contact with a power greater than myself. Today I have that contact from taking the steps and putting spiritual principles into action.

I no longer identify as atheist or agnostic. Not to say I've stopped believing in Darwin's theory, but my concept of a higher power has ... evolved.

All I can tell you is the outside and the inside are the same thing when it comes to how I experience this power. The realm in which I experience God is the one where all realities merge into the Great One, where God is the thread that connects the stars as well as the atoms in molecules.

Not sure if this answers your question. Truth of the matter is, you must seek the answers within yourself. It's not called "trudging the road of happy destiny" for nothing. Trudging ain't supposed to be easy.

[ninja7]

Thank you very very much, PK!

Your answer is very helpful for me and I understand you are seeking your HP very honestly. I will seek my HP with a great help of your concept. Your concept that the outside and the inside are the same thing works with Buddhism and any other eastern philosophy and religions.

And at last I understand "God" by John Lennon. I understand why he just believe in himself and Yoko.

I know you are still evolving your concept of your HP. Thank you very much, PK!

[AA4life]

Originally Posted by Pagekeeper

My HP is an inner resource that allows change, given the right circumstances, it's the force driving the rearrangement in my thinking.

That is an awesome way to think of a HP. Similar to my HP. I don't think of my HP as being some supernatural entity. :-)