“We’re entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”Step 6 AA As may be evident from the prior five steps, the entirety of the AA’s Twelve Step program is about uncovering, discovering, and discarding what no longer works in our lives. If you have been honest regarding the fourth and fifth step, … Read More
The AQAL Map Meets Johann Hari I recently watched a Johann Hari Ted Talk. If any of you have read his material or listened to him speak, you know he’s quite a controversial journalist. He tends to deliver more a less a pitch for a specific concept that lay on the outskirts of the status … Read More
“We admitted we were powerless over our addiction – that our lives had become unmanageable.” step 1 AA If you misunderstand the dash, you will misunderstand Step 1. This is important. If you miss it you…well… you won’t make it to Step 2. It’s that’s simple. Of course, a spiritual problem cannot be solved numerically … Read More
We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.– Step 5 AA Before I rush to explain why the 5th step is crucial for the alcoholic, I want to give a shout to the other “human being” on the receiving end. When we talk, someone needs to … Read More
The Nonself & The Liturgical Fumble Years ago I was invited to do a Gospel reading during Catholic Mass. I want to say what drove me was my love for the divine liturgy, but naturally, I’m anxious. Combine that nauseating feeling (I call it persistent-gut-wrenching-impending-doomism) with a social gathering and I’m basically no longer able … Read More
Step Four Requires Willingness “Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.”-AA Step 4 Step Four of the Alcoholics Anonymous is the notorious bugaboo of newcomer superstition. It’s easy to understand the immense fear associated with this step. Particularly its demand for vulnerability and exhibition of flaws and wrongdoings. It doesn’t take a stretch … Read More