Throwback Thursday AA history/literature post - Bill W. speaks on the Traditions, Part 2: Bill W. on the Traditions, Part 2
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Tuesday AA literature post - Parallel Passages in the Big Book: Convictions and Beliefs are not enough "Here and there, once in a while, alcoholics have had what are called vital spiritual experiences. To me these occurrences are phenomena. They appear to be in the nature of huge emotional displacements and rearrangements. Ideas, emotions, and attitudes which were once the guiding forces of the lives of these men are suddenly cast to one side, and a completely new set of conceptions and motives begin to dominate them. In fact, I have been trying to produce some such emotional rearrangement within you. With many individuals the methods which I employed are successful, but I have never been successful with an alcoholic of your description.”* Upon hearing this, our friend was somewhat relieved, for he reflected that, after all, he was a good church member. This hope, however, was destroyed by the doctor’s telling him that while his religious convictions were very g...
Big Book Topics for study, meditation or use with a sponsee: Come to the Quiet We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in under- standing and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God s will into all of our activities. “How can I best serve Thee Thy will (not mine) be done.” These are thoughts which must go with us constantly. We can exercise our will power along this line all we wish. It is the proper use of the will. (Page 85) We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly say- ing 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 w...
Thoughts on Tradition Three from the Shropshire (UK) Intergroup: Short form The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking. Long form Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend on money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation. Tradition Three Discussion Questions In my mind, do I judge the sincerity of some new AA members? Is there some kind of alcoholic whom I privately do not want in my AA group? Do I show prejudice against those who have other problems? Do I let language, religion, race, gender, sexuality, education, age, fear or other such things interfere with my carrying the message? Am I over impressed by a celebrity? By a doctor, a clergyman or an ex-prisoner? Or can I just treat this new member simply a...
