AA Book Club

Don't preach to newcomers in AA There are many warnings to not preach to or lecture people who may need our program, especially in Working With Others and To Wives. In fact, these are usually stated categorically and unconditionally - not as suggestions. Perhaps because  willingness  is an essential ingredient in recovery through our program, demands and authoritarian attitudes toward those still suffering are frowned upon. Big Book: Working With Others "Don't start out as an evangelist or reformer... So cooperate; never criticize [Doctors and ministers who may help us find prospects]. Page 89 "If he does not want to stop drinking, don't waste time trying to persuade him." "If he does not want to see you, never force yourself upon him. Neither should the family hysterically plead with him to do anything..." Page 90 "Though you have talked with the family, leave them out of the first discussion. Under these conditions your prospect will see he i...

From Recovery Speakers.com, The Miracle of A.A. 1934-35: The Miracle of AA 1934-35 Presented by Al J and Drew H

Thoughts on Tradition Eleven from the Shropshire (UK) Intergroup (More at the link below): Short form Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films. Long form Our relations with the general public should be characterised by personal anonymity. We think A.A. should avoid sensational advertising. Our names and pictures as A.A. members ought not be broadcast, filmed, or publicly printed. Our public relations should be guided by the principle of attraction rather than promotion. There is never need to praise ourselves. We feel it better that our friends recommend us. Tradition Eleven Discussion Questions Do I sometimes promote AA so fanatically that I make it seem unattractive? Do I understand the level of anonymity this tradition suggests? Am I an ‘invisible’ alcoholic? When in service am I careful to avoid using my name at the level of press, radio and film. Are public f...

Throwback Thursday AA history post - Jim W on Bill Wilson's Spiritual Experience(s) in his own words: Bill Wilson's Spiritual Experience(s) presented by Jim W

  (H/T Rob K)

   Humility (Descriptions) "Belief in the power of God, plus enough willingness, honesty and humility to establish and maintain the new order of things, were the essential requirements." Big Book, Page 13-4, Bill's Story Big Book: "They took inventory all right, but hung on to some of the worst items in stock. They only thought they had lost their egoism and fear; they only thought they humbled themselves. But they had not learned enough of humility, fearlessness and honesty, in the sense we find it necessary, until they told someone else all their life story." Big Book, Page 73, Into Action, Step Five 12 & 12: “If temperamentally we are on the depressive side, we are apt to be swamped with guilt and self-loathing. We wallow in this messy bog, often getting a misshapen and painful pleasure out of it. As we morbidly pursue this melancholy activity, we may sink to such a point of despair that nothing but oblivion looks p...