Almost 27 years ago, my "house of cards" started to fall, and look-alike any degenerative intoxicant/addict I started scrambling, on the sentinel for distance in which to free myself from the untidiness that I called my existence. This event was different; I was light and world-weary of state bronchitic and wobbly. This case I appreciated at a philosophical even that I had to transmutation.
With the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, many meetings (sometimes 3 per day), a sponsor, and the individuals who brand it their company to remain disinfected and sober, I well-read a new way of conscious vivacity on LIFE'S lingo. I followed the "suggestions" of the Program. One of which was to breakthrough a "higher government."
I was a "cradle Catholic." There was no method of searching for a superior domination in my sacred inheritance that I knew of. There was no SEARCHING, length. One did not furrow. One believed short enquiry. Growing up, I questioned a lot and as a result, was admonished for my cheek. I believed in a "Creator" but had no content in configured religion, nor self-assurance in its innate assessment. Yet, intuitively I completed that I suffered from a profound essence sickness, and knew cavernous inwardly my essence that my connection beside a "power greater than myself" was not moving intact, albeit weakened and unable to help.
Scott Peck, essayist of "The Road Less Traveled," said (at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY.) that not since Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises had thing go someone to a divinely glorious act of becoming soul to one's God or Higher Power than the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. As Fellowship members say, "The Steps are backhand in command." When taken, or "worked," from Step 1 to Step 12 (which sometimes takes years) the consequence is, what I would call, "enlightenment." If consideration myself, acknowledging and partiality on a "power greater than myself," enumerating my qualities and shortcomings, making indemnification when probable and where necessary, and setting the sacred purpose of always practical these 12 Steps in my duration to the optimum of my faculty IS enlightenment, after I have been introduced to enlightenment! I say, "introduced," because it is a long seriousness to coppers.
Bill Wilson, (one of AA's founders), and the dreamer/theologian William James both believed that a "spiritual awakening" is required (for alcoholics and addicts) for make over. It is not simply a business of putt fallen the flask or drug, nor is it simply sighted a psychiatrist, and it to be sure does not depend on broad intelligence! Restoring oneself in any of these way is admirable, but as Bill Wilson says in AA literature, we all know particularly nip or holy folks who have "thought themselves" into the sedate. What is necessary is "a profound attribute renovate."
So it is the spirituality link, rousing to our seam near a complex power, that appears to be the key. My own search, and the searches of frequent ill alcoholics/addicts, took me on a take a trip of holy find that is ever dynamic. It is so electric and pleasing that I shall ever be exploring! This is not a "religious" search, nor is AA a religious charity. One's nonphysical self is of paramount importance; your holiness is your own company. AA is not affiliated next to any outside group, be it holy nor material. AA has been proved to trade where on earth other programs do not, be they 100% religious, or 100% secular. AA teaches us how to untaped vivacity on life's terms: mentally, plainly and spiritually!
On February 1, 2007, I will express joy 27 years launder and uninebriated. This certainty is truly solitary important to me and anxiously to the newcomers who despairingly deliberate their lives are complete as they be their primary AA meeting!
I can frankly support them, "If I can do it, you can do it!"
This is how it's done, one day at a circumstance.