Spirit
In my attempts at authoring a step guide I am having such a wonderful experience.
Always seem to gain new insight.
I was considering Step two in which we attempt to identify and lay aside prejudice against spiritual matters.
Part of my own bias was simply the word "spirit" or "spiritual".
many years later I can look back and see my life ruled by preconcieved notions. I truly must remain openminded. That takes effort for me. Many times I just think or know I am right, cling to the idea with blue knuckles, only later to be humbled into discovering that once again, either I am wrong or I missed seeing a different perspective.
So right off the bat I thought it was important to provide a working definition. Knowledge is important. hence:
Spirit: the vital principle or animating force within living things; a fundamental emotional and activating principle determining one's character; intent, inclination or emotional state.
Spiritual: That which is concerned with spirit; lacks material body, form or substance. That which is distinguished from the material.
Nothing scary or weird there. It actually makes sense...
And the questions one needs to ask, having completed step one at this point woul be:
Have “material things” been able to prevent you from drinking or enabled you to control your drinking?_____
Have you found that when you honestly wanted to, that you cannot quit entirely?______
Or if when drinking, do you have little control over the amount you take?______
Are you alcoholic?______
Do you believe that you may be suffering from an illness which only a spiritual experience will conquer?______
Do you have any choices other than be doomed to an alcoholic death or seek out spiritual help?_____
If you answer yes, by all means, put this down and go use that other alternative.
If you answered no, then read pages 44-57.
and it continues....
Always seem to gain new insight.
I was considering Step two in which we attempt to identify and lay aside prejudice against spiritual matters.
Part of my own bias was simply the word "spirit" or "spiritual".
many years later I can look back and see my life ruled by preconcieved notions. I truly must remain openminded. That takes effort for me. Many times I just think or know I am right, cling to the idea with blue knuckles, only later to be humbled into discovering that once again, either I am wrong or I missed seeing a different perspective.
So right off the bat I thought it was important to provide a working definition. Knowledge is important. hence:
Spirit: the vital principle or animating force within living things; a fundamental emotional and activating principle determining one's character; intent, inclination or emotional state.
Spiritual: That which is concerned with spirit; lacks material body, form or substance. That which is distinguished from the material.
Nothing scary or weird there. It actually makes sense...
And the questions one needs to ask, having completed step one at this point woul be:
Have “material things” been able to prevent you from drinking or enabled you to control your drinking?_____
Have you found that when you honestly wanted to, that you cannot quit entirely?______
Or if when drinking, do you have little control over the amount you take?______
Are you alcoholic?______
Do you believe that you may be suffering from an illness which only a spiritual experience will conquer?______
Do you have any choices other than be doomed to an alcoholic death or seek out spiritual help?_____
If you answer yes, by all means, put this down and go use that other alternative.
If you answered no, then read pages 44-57.
and it continues....