Questions to ask yourself while working Step 12

[nandm]

Step Twelve ~ Part 1: Questions

"Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholic and to practice these principles in all our affairs."






Some thoughts to ponder:

1. Why does Step 12 make it clear that we will have a *spiritual* awakening?

2. What was your first spiritual awareness?

3. "I find it interesting that the step says "had." This implies that my spiritual awakening was a one-shot deal, never to be repeated." What do you think about that statement? Do you agree, disagree?

4. What do you hope to experience when *you* spiritually awaken?

[nandm]

Step Twelve ~ Part 2: Questions


"Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs."




Some thoughts for consideration:

1. Step 12 talks about "the message." What do you think the message is?

2. Were you 12th Stepped? How did you respond?

3. Have you tried to 12th Step someone? What was your experience?

4. How do you "carry the message?"

[nandm]

[nandm]

[geekorunique]

Well...I am about to do step 12 with my sponsor and I am reading through my books etc but I am just torn right now.

I split up with someone - it was a relatively new relationship but typical alcoholic me rushed headfirst into it. Fell in love too easily - got hurt too easily. She cheated on me which made me feel worthless and as if I wasn't good enough at all. Broke my heart really.

One of my other coping mechanisms was cutting. I didn't even really want to cut but I did. I told my sponsor and we did talk and work through it. The thing is...do I still do the 12th step? Should I take some time out?

My plan was......90 meetings in 90 days again.....get on with making my amends and do my 12th step....was just interested in other peoples opinions.

Thanks and hope everyone is well over this sometimes troublesome holiday

[Pinkcuda]

This isn't just any old "Spiritual Awakening" This one comes as a result of these steps. Therefore it shouldn't be confused with your average spiritual awakening.
For instance; if I was at the golf course and lightning struck the tree I was standing next to, I would have a spiritual awakening of sorts. I would think that God had hit that tree instead of me for a reason. Then I would have a drink.
In the book a "Spiritual Awakening" indicates that "A personality change sufficient to bring about recovery from alcoholism has manifested itself among us in many different forms".

#3 Having "Had" instead of "having" to me would be the difference between Recovered and Recovering. It either is or it isn't
#4 What do I hope to experience. I believe it's the reference given in the book that I want. It has happened and others pointed it out to me before I noticed it myself.


Second part! #1 The message? The 12 steps are the message. I carry the message in meetings.
All Big Book quotes are from the First Edition of the Big Book

[Alike]

Originally Posted by nandm

Step Twelve ~ Part 2: Questions


"Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs."




Some thoughts for consideration:

1. Step 12 talks about "the message." What do you think the message is?

2. Were you 12th Stepped? How did you respond?

3. Have you tried to 12th Step someone? What was your experience?

4. How do you "carry the message?"

1. Step 12 talks about "the message." What do you think the message is?
The Big Book states clearly see to it your relationship with him (God)is right and great events will come to past for you and others - It must be God

2. Were you 12th Stepped? How did you respond?
I was brought to the doors of A.A. and dropped off responded well sober 30 years from that day forward read the Big Book and joined the rest was freely given.

3. Have you tried to 12th Step someone? What was your experience?
Unconditionally introduced many to the doors of A.A. most stayed some got run off.


4. How do you "carry the message?
Out of the love of God rather than the tolerance of people with the understanding of my past that if one is not governed by God they will have to be ruled by others and SHARPLY distinguishing between principles and personalities - so far the personalities are ahead but sooner or later principles will catch up weather celebrated on a chocolate covered cake or a tomb stone sobriety is coming so I learn not to take things so serious
I learned to let Go and let God for he does the real work I just watch, we are examples good or bad
When it comes to alcoholism it does not matter who is right or who is wrong it's about who is left.

Amending the past in the present can only be done by the one who was there and only but for the grace of God - can we see it.

[insidejob]

I've had a few spiritual awakenings. For me, a spiritual awakening means waking up to the realm of the spirit. The realm of the spirit means the spirit within me, my God-given conscience, the spirit within others, and the spirit of God.

My first awakening was "Wow! There really is a God!!". That happened early in recovery, because something greater than me was and must have been keeping me sober even when I had every intention and desire to drink.

There was another powerful awakening after Step 5. The 12 & 12 promises this, a coming into oneness with God and man.

Unfortunately that awakening was taken away by a breakdown that lasted six months. But after six months it turned from a breakdown to a break-through when I finally surrendered to God without reservation. That was my most powerful awakening, a place of total and utter surrender.

I can and do sometimes go into a spiritual sleep, the opposite of a spiritual awakening. That happened to me very recently. Such periods are always followed by surrender, a return to peace and a greater awakening.

My own thinking on this is that I will awaken and awaken all through my sober life, each awakening bringing me closer and closer to God. The mechanism by which this works in my life is nearly always through pain.

Pain -> Suffering -> Humility -> Surrender -> Spiritual Awakening.

The 12 & 12 puts it like this in Step 8: "In every case, pain had been the price of admission into a new life. But this admission price had purchased more than we expected. It brought a measure of humility..."

Carrying the message: For me this is the message that was carried to Bill by his friend, and carried by Bill to Dr. Bob. It's the message of a spiritual solution, which is now expressed in the 12 steps.

I carry the message by how I try to live today (program of attraction), by sharing my ESH at meetings, by doing service, helping a newcomer, sponsoring others and by writing this. The message I try to carry is contained conveniently in the 12 steps; find God (is he lost?), clean house, love others!

[insidejob]

Ooops! That quote is actually from Step 7, not step 8. Sorry, I'm not long out of bed and haven't even had a physical awakening yet!