12 Step Work Book

[Butterfly Woman]

We are the Big Book Bunch group of Alcoholics Anonymous. Our origins are the Students of the Big Book group, which has met in Woodland Hills, California since December of 1985. Our goals are to live the spiritual process through which sobriety is obtained and enhanced, and to publish (at no charge) our experience for other recovering alcoholics. We have absolutely no affiliation with any organization or cause other than our membership as individuals in A.A..

Our written materials are not official AA literature. They usually do, nevertheless, contain information from the Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous) and other conference approved literature owned and published by Alcoholics Anonymous. All A.A. material used identifies the source from which it is quoted. References in our documents to Big Book content exclude its stories. Included is all material from inside the front cover through page 164, plus Appendices I (Traditions) and II (Spiritual Experience).

You may reproduce materials of the Big Book Bunch, provided: a) that sources of materials (AA or the BBB) are identified, b) that no charge is made for the materials, and c) that they are not distributed by an organization or process that charges a fee. If you have corrections or improvements, please pass them on to us using the mailbox at the bottom.

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STEP: 1) We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.


That is what the authors of the Big Book and millions before you did. To personalize the step for your study and action in the here and now, however, you may wish to rephrase it as:
STEP ONE. I admit that I am powerless over alcohol—that my life has become unmanageable.
READING FOR STEP ONE

Big Book:
The Doctor's Opinion:
Chapter 3, More about Alcoholism
12&12: Step 1

If you have recently returned to A.A. after doing some alcoholism research, you will learn more about the mind that took you out if you take our Bottle Inventory .... understanding the relapse.
.As we take Step 1, we separate it into its first and second halves:

STEP 1a. I admit that I am powerless over alcohol....
Although Step 1, itself, does not require that we admit to being "alcoholic", ....
We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. [Big Book page 30, line 11]
And what does AA say an alcoholic is? The definition is scattered through the literature, but a test is offered in the first paragraph of Chapter 4. This test is twofold:
a. If when drinking alcohol do you find it difficult to stop?, and
b. If not drinking alcohol, do you experience difficulty in leaving it alone?
The first test measures our alcohol compulsion, which Daniel W. defines as, "An impulse or feeling of being irresistibly driven toward the performance of some action which is irrational." Dr.. Silkworth, in The Doctor's Opinion, tells us that:
...the action of alcohol on these chronic alcoholics is a manifestation of an allergy; that the phenomenon of craving is limited to this class and never occurs in the average temperate drinker, [Big Book page xxvi, line 4]
The body is in the clutches of alcohol, and alcohol controls the mental processes which, in turn, keep the alcohol flowing into the body.
The second test measures our alcohol obsession, "the persistent and disturbing intrusion of, or anxious and inescapable preoccupation with, an idea or emotion...". In other words, it seems as if the alcohol calls us with voice irresistible until we have little choice but to start the drinking process anew. This affliction is strictly mental until the alcohol enters the body. Then, we are back to the first test—again. In fact,
...the main problem of the alcoholic centers in his mind, rather than in his body. [Big Book page 23, line 5]
...the mental states that precede a relapse into drinking...(are)... the crux of the problem, [Big Book page 35, line 1]
Confucius say: (He really did, too)
Man take drink
Drink take drink
then, Drink take man!
If you haven't made the concession of being alcoholic yet, don't quit! And, if perchance you are still drinking, then don't quit trying to quit! The primary purpose of taking this step is to bring about the conviction and admission that you are alcoholic. Part of your conviction should be the absolute certainty that the next drink will lead to undesirable consequences (to say the least).
Writing: Your writing will commence with laying out some facts about your drinking. The simplest way to do this is to begin with the last drinking bout, providing the information set forth below, then proceed in reverse chronology until no significant new facts are to be uncovered.
Your goal is to set forth evidence of the mental processes that led to the first drink, and that your physical, mental, and spiritual states are taken over and subjugated by alcohol when it is introduced into your body. For example:
1. On June 20, after 3 weeks of abstinence, I had a few beers with the crew after a really hot 10 hour Friday.
I drank because: I just had to cool off, to renew my relationships with my old drinking buddies, to forget my boss's threat to replace us if we didn't speed up, to check out the ladies at the Golden Suds, and to show my nagging Alanon wife that she couldn't control me all the time.
This is what happened: I had two or three pitchers, got in a fight with John Jones, told the boss's nephew he was a nerd, spent half of my paycheck on floozies in the bar (with no physical relief, either), suffered a black-out between midnight and bar closing, parked the car in the neighbor's front yard, was locked out of my bedroom, spent the weekend puking alone, had a horrible hangover on Monday, and was placed on suspension at work.
Did alcohol work for me? It seemed to cool me off for a few minutes, but none of the other results I had in mind happened. As usual, a number of other unanticipated things also happened, all of which were not wanted. No, it didn't work—again, and I am truly lucky that no permanent damage resulted.
2. The whole month of May was the total pits.
I drank because: It didn't occur to me that not drinking was an option. I just couldn't stand the nagging of the wife, and the looks of the kids. It was necessary, somehow to just shut them off. The only thing in life that was tolerable was pool at the Golden Suds with my pals—they understood. I was desperate for relief, and I was coming to the horrible realization that I might never find it, that I would just keep going on and on and worse and worse.
This is what happened: Whatever relief I found in the bottle was superficial. My doctor told me I needed to cut down. I almost got arrested for crashing into the freeway divider. My pals really just tolerated me. They didn't give a damn about me. Work was unbearable, what with the hangovers, short hours, and a boss who didn't understand. I was getting 2 or 3 black-outs a week. The kids were never there. The wife was a beast. I was always sick.
Did alcohol work for me? Nothing worked anymore. My greatest fear was that it would never end. The beer was no good. I got sick. Wine tasted like bile. Whisky blacked me out. I didn't know what to do.
3. (You should have the idea by now.) Continue until the learning value wastes away.
In conclusion: provide answers to these questions.
• Which of my problems will be removed or alleviated if I take a drink of alcohol?
• Can any good come of my taking another drink?
• What will really happen to me and others if I do drink again?
• What good reasons do I have to believe my answers?
• Do I wish to avoid the next drink?
•
STEP 1b. I admit that my life has become unmanageable...
You have just swallowed some painful truths about your drinking. Upon even trivial reflection it is obvious that your thinking hasn't been too rational, either, when it comes to the drink problem. Have you managed your drinking career well?
The mentality we have when it comes to drinking, however, is but one part of a deeper thinking impairment which impacts almost every aspect of our consciousness. You may have noticed expressions such as these in the Big Book:
...illusion, delusion, self deception, lurking notion, peculiar mental twist, curious mental phenomenon, insane idea, foolish idea, insanity, absurd and incomprehensible behavior, queer ideas, strangely insane, subtle insanity, strange mental blank spots...[Big Book, various pages].
You undoubtedly have your own favorite expressions gleaned from pages 30 - 43 in the Big Book. But humor aside, there must be a serious message here that our own minds—quite aside from the drink problem—cannot be trusted with running us.
Writing: Put down some thoughts/actions and vacancies/inactions that might lead you to doubt your capability to run your own life or the affairs of others. Examples might be:
I married my first wife because she liked to party. I divorced her because she couldn't hold her liquor. I made my oldest boy become a veterinarian because I liked horses. I got into steel working because it was dangerous. I socked my best friend because he voted for McGovern. I hate my step father because he wants to visit us every two years. My neighbor is weak because he is fat. I repair my own car because the local mechanic is an Arab. We installed a pool for partying. etc..
Many members of AA feel a need to write an Immoral inventory (as opposed to the moral inventory of Step 4). If you have such a need, get it out of your system here.
In the course of writing our terminal drinking experiences, we have discovered that answering these questions is helpful.
a. When I decided to take the first drink of that last drinking bout......
1. Had I answered the 20 questions suggested by Johns Hopkins Hospital? If so, what was my "score"?
2. Did I know that I had a problem with alcohol?
3. Was drinking habitual?
4. Did I have good reasons not to drink?
5. Was I aware of the reasons not to drink while I was deciding to drink?
6. Did I convince myself that I deserved a drink as a reward?
7. Did I expect the drink to work for me?
8. Did it work for me?
9. Was I optimistic about my future?
10. Did I have a sense of hopeless, dread or impending doom?
11. Did I consider myself worthy of a good life?
b. Was there a moment of clarity or a traumatic event that contributed to my not taking a next drink after the final bout ended?
In conclusion: It is more than likely that 85 - 95 % of your ideas and mental processes are right-on, and that the remainder will, as a minimum, get you or others into trouble. Our problem, it seems, is that we can't differentiate the good ideas from the bad. What is our prognosis?
Once more: The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. Except in a few rare cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a defense." [Big Book page 43, line 26]
And to remove the mental defense loop hole, how about this:
We are without defense against the first drink. [Big Book page 24, line 12]
When delusion based thinking ...is fully established in an individual with alcoholic tendencies, he has probably placed himself beyond human aid, and unless locked up, may die or go permanently insane. [Big Book page 24, line 29]
So many want to stop but cannot. [Big Book page 25, line 3]
The prognosis of a meaningful and joyful life, even while experiencing abstinence, is also dubious, because
...our troubles...are...of our own making. They arise out of ourselves. The alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though he usually doesn't think so. [Big Book page 62, line 15]
In view of the following dire prediction (bold style has been added for emphasis) you may wonder if there is any hope at all....
Among physicians, the general opinion seems to be that most chronic alcoholics are doomed. [Big Book page xxviii, line 32]
They are restless, irritable and discontented, unless they can again experience the sense of ease and comfort which comes at once by taking a few drinks—drinks which they see others taking with impunity. After they have succumbed to the desire again, as so many do, and the phenomenon of craving develops, they pass through the well-known stages of a spree, emerging remorseful, with a firm resolution not to drink again. This is repeated over and over, and unless this person can experience an entire psychic change there is very little hope of his recovery. [Big Book page xxvi, line 34]
The principle of Step 1. A.A. is big on principles. (Look up "principle" in the dictionary.) In fact, the word appears 36 times in the Big Book. Just one instance is,
The principles we have set down are guides to progress. [Big Book page 60, line 10]
We try to distill each of the steps into its fundamental principle. What is the principle of Step 1? (Clue—it may be hopelessness. Would you believe, capitulation? or, could it be surrender?)
Obviously, there has to be more to recovery from alcoholism than admitting total defeat. Step 2 provides some hope.

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2


STEP 2) Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
That is what the authors of the Big Book and millions before you did. To personalize the step for your study and action in the here and now, however, you may wish to rephrase it in the two halves that appear below.
READING FOR STEP TWO

Big Book:
Chapter 4. We Agnostics
Appendix II. Spiritual Experience
12&12: Step 2

Step 2 is also separated into its first and second halves:

STEP 2a. Came to believe in a power greater than myself...
Having taken Step 1, you have already admitted the existence of a power greater than yourself. Think about it. Isn't alcohol a power greater than yourself? And, having also admitted that your life has been insanely unmanageable, your goal is to find some other power (besides alcohol), which is greater than yourself, and will produce saner consequences.
Your Higher Power should:
 Not be alcohol
 Not be you
 Be greater than alcohol and yourself, and
 Contribute to sobriety and sanity in your life.
A.A.s who eventually achieve some time sober invariably acknowledge that their Higher Power is a spiritual power. Anticipate that yours will be, too. However, for the time being, your power may be any power that meets these four conditions. If you haven't noticed already, the word God is used in AA. In fact, the name appears in four of the twelve steps, but in two instances it is followed immediately by the expression "as we understood Him". (meaning, according to your present conception of a Spiritual Power). A.A.'s use of the term, God, does not necessarily mean that we believe in "God", and it does not mean that we have a common understanding of what we do believe in. The term, God, is used only as a convenient way of referring to the Spiritual Power of our respective choices. And, have a Spiritual Power, we must!
When, therefore, we speak to you of God, we mean your own conception of God. This applies, too, to other spiritual expressions which you find in this book. [Big Book page 47, line 1]
Later in this document we will discuss the way that many of us have come to have conscious contact with a spiritual power of our own conception.

A.A. literature makes it clear that Alcoholics Anonymous is not a religion. It possesses no theology or dogma to be swallowed by anyone. In addition to using the term, God, the Big Book also refers to our Father, our Creator, the Spirit of the Universe, the Great Reality deep down within us, our Power, and many other names. When AA literature is translated into other languages, the name of God is translated also. He is called Dios, Gott, Yahweh, etc...

Please forgive our authors, too, in using the masculine pronouns, He, Him, etc... There is no intent to suggest that God is masculine, or that He possesses gender at all. A.A. has simply followed this age-old convention—until a more enlightened manner of speaking might be adopted.

Be assured, though, that God knows what His name is. You don't need to be so arrogant as to tell it to Him. Perhaps you might ask Him directly which name is best for you to use. Whatever name seems right to you is the one you should adopt for your intimate relationship with your Higher Power; but, when it comes to discussing your Spiritual Power with others, you also may wish to use the term, "God", strictly as a matter of convenience in communicating with your fellow alcoholics.

Writing for Step 2a: Make a list of powers greater than yourself within the following three classes:
12. Physical: (Examples: alcohol, pistols, policemen, bosses, cancer....)
13. Mental: (Examples: alcohol obsessions, greed, anger, pride, lust...)
14. Spiritual: (God...)

STEP 2b. Came to believe that the Power selected as greater than myself could restore me to sanity.

When A.A literature refers to insanity it is not using the dictionary definition of insanity. The Big Book is talking about the insane thinking of an alcoholic when he decides to ingest alcohol. In this sense, we all, without exception, have been insane. Moreover, our plight was hopeless. It is necessary, therefore, that our Higher Power be sufficiently able and willing to restore us first to the sanity of total abstinence.

Writing for Step 2b: Review the powers you listed in the writing above. Place a check mark to the left of each one that meets the condition of being able and willing to keep you from taking the next drink on a continuing basis. Your choices just became narrower.

Notice, too, that we come to believe. Your ultimate belief is unlikely to be obvious to you right away. We just keep at it. Be as persistent in promoting belief in your Higher Power as you were in justifying your drinking. In fact, why not ask your Higher Power to affix in your consciousness the certainty of His Reality. He will, if you let Him!

If you are not yet at the stage of talking to (let alone hearing from) a spiritual being, you may wish to follow A.A.'s suggestion that you begin with your favorite A.A. group as a power greater than yourself. Then, by following the A.A. spiritual starter kit, you will come into conscious awareness of an even higher Power.

Many of us have been downright confused about the idea and nature of God. Here's a discussion that has been helpful in sorting things out:

theists: First, we find the theists, those who worship one or more deities (God). Nearly all theists believe in a theology (their approved set of religious beliefs) espoused by one of the many religious institutions. These institutions often rely also upon antigods (devils) or a book alleged to be a faithful rendition from antiquity. Too, most claim exclusivity in the correctness of their system. Throughout human history (and certainly true today) some theists have been known to fight with each other. Yet, many wonderful people, including a great many A.A. members, attend church regularly and worship its deity successfully.

atheists: The letter prefix A means not or against . Atheists are believers that there is no God. They tend to take issue with all the theists.

From the diagram you just saw, and based upon the opinions of the theists and atheists, there seem to be only two choices for you to make—their way or the wrong way. It often appears to the AA newcomer that he must pick one of the churches (on the left above) or join the anti-church church (on the right). While some of these may be valid options, you might also resolve that you just don't feel comfortable being on the theist-atheist scale at all. After all, once you have picked a belief system, you have, as a consequence, rejected all the other systems you didn't pick. Maybe you feel you don't have any business making decisions about God's business.

Fortunately, you have at least four options, not just two. You could even opt to be agnostic, as the next diagram shows.

Agnostics: The agnostic cannot buy into the theologies (both pro and con), and he simply says, "I just don't know." The agnostic is on a wholly different plane. The theist-atheist plane is based upon the head or intellect. The agnostic is a(without)-gnosis(knowledge). And, with only modest imagination, we can remove the a and conceive of—you guessed it—the Gnostic, or knower. Moreover, the gnosis (knowledge of the existence and will of the Higher Power) is of the heart rather than the mind. You may have heard it said in an A.A. meeting that the longest journey in the universe is the one from your heart to your head. One of the meanings of this expression is that you need not play the mental and emotional game of the churches at all. Deal directly, instead, with the Spiritual Power that reveals itself to you.

The spiritual starter kit. All of this theology stuff can seem downright confusing. It can even appear to be a barrier in the path of sobriety. We A.A.s are fortunate in having a spiritual starter kit, so to speak, in chapter 4 of the Big Book. It is suggested as a sure fire method of coming to know a spiritual power. Here it is (we have supplied the bold style to selected characters):

Step 2.1. We found that as soon as we were able to lay aside prejudice and...[Big Book page 46, line 15]

Step 2.2. ...express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves, we commenced to get results, even though it was impossible for any of us to fully define or comprehend that Power, which is God. [Big Book page 46, line 16]

Step 2.3. Do not let any prejudice you may have against spiritual terms deter you from honestly asking yourself what they mean to you...we had to begin somewhere, so we used our own conception, however limited it was. [Big Book page 47, line 4]

Step 2.4. ...As soon as a man can say that he does believe or is willing to believe, we emphatically assure him that he is on his way. [Big Book page 47, line 16]
In short form the kit might read: a) Set aside all prejudice (both belief and disbelief about God and religions), b) Become willing to believe, c) Study all spiritual concepts, and formulate an initial—even conditional or tentative—conception of God, and d) Be persistent in testing the state of your belief and knowledge.
It has been repeatedly proven among us that upon this simple cornerstone a wonderfully effective spiritual structure can be built. [Big Book page 47, line 19]
Notice that our step 2.3 above quotes that we used our own conception...of a Higher Power. Some of us were so spooked by the thought of a spiritual power that we had to begin with something more tangible. We have actually heard of newcomers using a door knob, a light bulb, a tree, or a moving van as their Higher Power. Such material objects, even animate ones, are not recommended. Two interim powers, however, seem to be effective for starters:
1) The A.A. group. Your A.A. Group is certainly a focal point of spiritual power, and it and its individual members can provide counsel and direction to straighten out your life if you wish.

2) A borrowed Power. You may know an A.A. member who seems to be comfortable with an effective Higher Power. It's quite acceptable to ask him or her to describe their Power to you, and if it is not offensive to you, you might ask to borrow their Power until you have your own. We are sure they will be delighted to comply.
Many of us have adopted schemes like these for a quick start in step 2. But, of one thing you may be sure—your own conception of a Higher Power will change with time as long as you are actively willing for Him to manifest Himself within you.

In our discussion about step 3 we will talk more about your right—actually, duty to yourself—to find a spiritual power of your own personal understanding. If that deity happens to be worshipped within a church, that is perfectly acceptable. However, do not accept statements from well-meaning A.A.s that so-and-so is the real and original Higher Power in A.A, and that you are short-changing yourself with any other. They are dead wrong! Take your A.A. spiritual counsel from those who follow the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous. Ultimately, you will find that your spiritual counsel will come directly from God himself.

(We have made)....clear three pertinent ideas:
(a) That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives.
(b) That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism.
© That God could and would if He were sought. [Big Book page 60, line 15]

We are fortunate in having a summary of the first two steps directly from the Big Book:
Notice that no non-spiritual power could have relieved our alcoholism, and that God could and would! This is a very comforting guarantee, provided we meet the condition, if He were sought. And, what a relief. He does not need to be found, only sought.

And, take further comfort in these promises:
He humbly offered himself to his Maker—then he knew. Even so has God restored us all to our right minds. To this man, the revelation was sudden. Some of us grow into it more slowly. But He has come to all who have honestly sought Him. When we drew near to Him He disclosed Himself to us! [Big Book page 57, line 8]
The principle of Step Two is ________________________. (It's time for you to uncover the principles of the steps on your own. We will compare notes when we discuss your writing

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3

STEP 3) Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

That is what the authors of the Big Book and millions before you did. To personalize the step for your study and action in the here and now, however, you may wish to rephrase it as:
STEP THREE. I decide to turn my will and my life over to the care of God as I understand Him.
READING FOR STEP THREE


Big Book: Chapter 5, How it works. From: Page 60, line 21: "Being convinced... Thru: Page 63, line 31: ...was felt at once."

12&12: Step 3

Step 3 has four key components:
• STEP 3a. ...Make a decision...
• STEP 3b. ...to turn your will and your life ...
• STEP 3c. ...over to the care of ...
• STEP 3d. ...God (as you understand Him).

STEP 3a. Make a decision... You may have heard this riddle in a meeting: "Five frogs were sitting on a log in their favorite pond. Two frogs decided to hop onto a warm rock. How many frogs were left on the log?" If you know anyone who answered, "three", suggest they read the riddle again. We alcoholics are experts at making decisions. Like, "I have decided to stop drinking!" "I have decided to bring my paycheck home to you and the kids, Honey!" You bet! If you have spent more than a week taking this step, you probably should just look upon it as a decision, but a decision that you reaffirm at least once each day. Then get on with step 4.
STEP 3b Turn your will and your life over... If, in meetings, you listen carefully to the stuff that people turn over you will be amazed before you are half way through. They turn over the Highway Patrolman shining a red light in the mirror of their car, the landlord banging on the door for his rent, their fat-clogged arteries, smoke corrupted lungs, and all the other things they wish to be rid of. It almost seems some folks think God must be some kind of celestial junk man. (In addition to those who think he is the ethereal pimp that brings forth enticing partners.) Going back to the source, we discover that it is silent on turning over junk, lust, or anything else—just our very lives and wills. You offer up only your life force and your motivation. That doesn't really leave much of value, does it?
will [from our dictionary] [2] (wil) n., v. willed, will-ing n.
15. the faculty of conscious and particularly of deliberate action: the freedom of the will.
16. power of choosing one's own actions: to have a strong will.
17. the act or process of using or asserting one's choice; volition: My hands are obedient to my will.
18. wish or desire: to submit against one's will.
19. purpose or determination: to have the will to succeed.
20. the wish or purpose as carried out, or to be carried out: to work one's will.
And, just what does turning over mean? Although you may have heard that it is like turning over a board to inspect the salamanders on the bottom side, the word refers to the transfer of possession and control....
STEP 3c. To the care of God... The first image that comes to mind is that the entity to which we offer something for care is a caretaker. A caretaker is needed only when the owner is either absent or incompetent (or both, as in the instance of the real alcoholic). A truly desirable caretaker is: 1) competent, 2) trustworthy, 3) available, and 4) consenting to care for your life and will. In addition to the idea of taking care of is the acknowledgement (for we alcoholics) of management.

God's mission is not to take care of us—even though He does. God's role is to direct us. It follows, then that our role is not to be taken care of, it is to take action consistent with God's direction, doing by ourselves the things that we can do without assistance.
...we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director. He is the principal; we are His agents. He is the Father, and we are His children....this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom. [Big Book, page 62, line 27]
Look up the word keystone in the dictionary, if you don't know precisely what it means. What role does the keystone play in the structure of an arch? So, again, what is the concept without which your spiritual growth will fall in upon itself? That's right. God is the Boss. We have a new employer. We do it His way, not ours.

STEP 3d. God as you understand Him. As we pointed out in our writing about step 2, this phrase does not mean that you believe in "God", and it does not mean that you understand what you believe in. The phrase does mean this and only this, that you decide to turn your life and will over to the care of a spiritual power of your naming and conception rather than that of someone else. (Why not read page 47 again, and ask yourself just what is the cornerstone referred to there?)

We repeat: A.A. literature makes it clear that Alcoholics Anonymous is not a religion or a sect. AA possesses no theology or dogma to be swallowed by anyone. The term, God, is used as a convenient way of referring to the Spiritual Power of our respective choices. Even though you may have a special term for your Power, when it comes to discussing your Spiritual Power with others, you also are likely to use the term, God, as a matter of convenience. Writing: on a piece of paper, complete the statements below. It is understood that your conception of God is certain to change, so the statements refer only to your conception at the present time.
1. The Power Greater than myself in which I came to believe in step 2 is called _____________________________.
2. My Power is not : (set forth qualities your Power does not display, such as hateful, jealous, cruel, punishing....).
3. My Power is: (what He is like):
4. My goal is to pray _____ times each day, upon ___awakening ___retiring ___ eating ________________
5. I have adopted the following meditation technique (this is really part of step 11, but there is nothing wrong with thinking about and beginning meditation right from the beginning.):
Sealing the commitment. Most of us found the guidance on page 63 of the Big Book is very effective. We recommend that you seal your commitment with another person, and that you memorize and repeat A.A's third step prayer. If the archaic terms Thee and Thou are not to your liking, you shouldn't be deterred from adjusting them as we have done in the rendition included at the end hereof.

If your spiritual advisor insists they you pray on your knees, by all means do so. Praying on the knees was big in primitive AA. The expression, "..on our knees..." was even included in step 7 of an early draft of the Big Book. Note, though, that its authors thought better of this, and the expression was deleted. It's not there now, is it? Be assured that praying on the knees is not a requirement of Alcoholics Anonymous. Nevertheless, if you are Catholic, Episcopalian, Muslim or of many oriental religions, you may wish to pray on your knees. It will certainly help you to concentrate on what you are doing. It might even help you find your shoes in the morning.
The negative side of the pray-on-your-knees custom is that it deprives its adherents of many opportunities to pray during the day. Spiritually achieved ones cherish every moment in which they might commune with their Power. These moments might be in the car at a stop light, before partaking of food in the company cafeteria, or after realizing the answer to a perplexing problem. So, do what you think right, but don't deprive yourself of being in the state of closeness to God whenever you can.

The principle of Step 3 is _____________________ We will compare notes when we discuss your writing.


The THIRD STEP Prayer
[As adjusted from the book Alcoholics Anonymous, page 63, line 14]

God, I offer myself to You —
to build with me
and to do with me as You will.

Relieve me of the bondage of self,
that I may better do Your will.

Take away my difficulties,
that victory over them
may bear witness to those I would help
of Your Power,
Your Love,
and Your Way of life.

May I do Your will always.

Amen.

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4

STEP 4) Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
That is what the authors of the Big Book and millions before you did. To personalize the step for your study and action in the here and now, however, you may wish to rephrase it as:

STEP FOUR. Make a searching and fearless moral inventory of yourself.
READING FOR STEP FOUR

Big Book: From: Page 63, line 32: "Next we launched ,
Thru: Page 71, the end of Chapter 5
12&12: Step 4

Step 4 is considered to be the big written inventory step. And we have seen many, many ways in which it is recommended to be taken. A variant in the 12&12 uses the "seven deadly sins" as its basis. An early member of AA used a list of 20 defects of character as his outline. Many sponsors propose a life history be written. And, of course, the Hazelden people have a variety of guidance systems. There is even a PC computer approach that asks all sorts of revealing questions about one's sex and family life. If you are reluctant to take this step, then you may want to procrastinate further by exploring all these alternatives in depth before you start—at some future date. If, on the other hand, you want to get on with the sober life, then let's get on with the tried and true method in the Big Book. It consists of five lists. The words that follow here will then assist you, but don't forget that your reading, discussing and understanding the Big Book in depth is essential. Do not rely solely upon the document in hand.

A written inventory. Between pages 64 and 71 you will discover at least 10 clear statements that your inventory is to be written. Please look them up now. Unless you are physically handicapped, there are no exceptions to a written inventory. Put aside your tape recorder, and get out your pen and paper. If you type with a high level of expertise and think freely at a key-board, your sponsor, however, might allow a typewriter or PC.

But, remember that you are not writing the great American novel here. To do so would be a gross imposition upon the person with whom you will take your fifth step. Moreover, the thought of setting forth your life history completely misses the point. You are to write an inventory—not a narrative. And, what is an inventory? In 1939 Webster said it was, "...an itemized list of goods and valuables [stock or a person's qualities], with their estimated worth;..." The preferred synonym is LIST, and that's exactly what you are to do—write the list(s) outlined by the Big Book.

A moral inventory.
mor-al (môr'uhl, mor'-) adj.
21. of, pertaining to, or concerned with the principles of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong; ethical: moral attitudes.
22. conforming to accepted or established principles of right conduct (opposed to immoral); virtuous; upright: a moral man.
23. expressing or conveying truths or counsel as to right conduct: a moral novel. based on fundamental principles of right conduct rather than on law, custom, etc.: moral obligations.
24. capable of recognizing and conforming to the rules of right conduct: a moral being.
25. virtuous in sexual matters; chaste.
26. of, pertaining to, or acting on the mind, feelings, will, or character: moral support.
It is clear that we are not counting possessions. Nor are we really listing people, institutions, principles or, even, actions in order to count them. We are seeking to illuminate the basis (or underlying cause) of our actions. In other words, why do we resent the world the way we do?

In fact, the most essential results of this step will be 1) to provide enough data for you and your guide to write down a statement of the nature of your wrongs (defects of character) in step five, 2) to provide data for step eight, with an initial listing of persons you have harmed, and 3) to reinforce your process of psychic change.

How many inventories? The formal written inventory of step four need be taken only once in your sober career. There is ample provision in step ten for spot-check, daily, periodic and annual refresher inventories.

How thorough? We are told that nothing counts but thoroughness and honesty. But, what should you do with very sensitive information? Many recovering alcoholics have one or more significant experiences in their past that they are highly reluctant to put on paper—either because the incident is one about which they feel great shame (the horror of which we dare not speak, the big one we plan to take to our grave untold) or because its revelation might cause severe personal or legal injury to ourselves or others. We suggest:
6. Always keep your inventory in a safe, private place so that no other person will ever see it unless you reveal it to them. Anticipate that there will be others with inquiring minds, and take precautions to assure your privacy.

7. Leave nothing out of your inventory just because it is a major item.

8. If you have good and prudent cause to take extraordinary precautions against unwitting disclosure of some part of your past, you may wish to encipher the incident or character trait as "Topic A" or the like (it's up to you, though, to remember what Topic A really is). This will prevent its disclosure to any person reading your inventory, but it will still satisfy the need for the topic to be included. How you then deal with this topic in step five will be discussed in that step.

On the other hand, how can you avoid undue length? Leave out needless repetition of resentments, fears, wrongs, etc. when the associated character defect has already been revealed. If, for example, you resent smokers who blow smoke in your face, it is preferred that you do not list them all. An entry such as, "Sam Smoker and all the other inconsiderate boobs who blow smoke in my face.", should suffice. In a more serious vein, maybe you have known violence and have had many bloody fights. You will probably want to list the major protagonists, especially ones who have suffered severe injury at your hands, and enough experiences to illuminate the different provocations or seeming justifications that led to your fighting in the first place. It is also prudent to include persons to whom you expect you might be making amends in step nine.

Warning! Besides protecting yourself from premature embarrassment or even incarceration due to unintended disclosure of your inventory, you should also avoid making amends without guidance. An intentional, but premature, disclosure as part of the mending process can also be very damaging—to you and others. Except for minor matters or exceptions you have discussed with your sponsor in advance, you should make your amends in step nine where they belong.

When to start your inventory. The completion of Step 3 is described on page 63 of the Big Book. Notice that the very next paragraph says,
Next we launched out on a course of vigorous action ... at once...[Big Book page 63, line 32 & page 64, line 3]
In the early days of A.A. when a newcomer asked when he should begin his inventory, he was told, "When you want to stop hurting". When do you want to stop hurting? We will now show you how to divide the job up into simple pieces. Write the first column of list 1 today. It will take from 5 to 30 minutes. Don't big-deal yourself into inaction.

How many lists? The Big Book mentions five (maybe four) distinct lists. Each of these lists is discussed in more detail below. If you have a pressing need to add additional information, or if your sponsor suggests further material, go for it.

Step Four is composed of these lists:
STEP 4a. Resentments. [Page 64, line 23]
STEP 4b. Faults [Page 67, line 21] (may be combined with 4a).
STEP 4c. Fears. [Page 68, line 3]
STEP 4d. Sexual Injury. [Page 69, line 12]
STEP 4e. Harms. [Page 70, line 30]
Writing: Step 4a, RESENTMENTS, columns #1 through #3.
Step #4a RESENTMENTS Column #1
Who
I'm resentful at:

Sam Smoker, et. al.
Peter Punch
Mother
Father
IRS
Wife #1

Column #1 is the WHO column. Who is the person, or what is the institution or principle that you resent? A resentment is a negative feeling more intense than dislike and less violent than anger. Resentment is often referred to as smoldering anger, and the list should include both those you resent and those with whom you are angry (or even hate, which is more intense yet).
In this first column, just list the name of the person, institution or principle. Next, rearrange the list so that the names are ranked from the least resentment at the top to the most intense resentment at the bottom. If you have more than fifty items, you probably have too many. Ten may be too few.
It would be a good idea to get together with your selected fifth step person at this point to see if you are on track. There is another reason for the contact. Making up the list is not a major undertaking. It can usually be done in several hours. By breaking the 4a list up into columns, you will not be intimidated nor held back with the perception that the inventory step has to be a big deal.
Step #4a, RESENTMENTS
Column #2
What they did

I resent: Because they:
Sam Smoker Smokes at me
Insulted me
Peter Punch Hit me
Mother Sided with Dad
Died
Father Beat me
IRS $ Attachments
Wife #1 Left me
$ Attachments
Column #2 is the WHAT column. This is called the "Cause" column on page 65. It describes briefly just what the resented party did that triggered your resentment. It does not describe how you reacted to their action. The example in the Big Book seems to be pretty clear. Expand what you began when you filled in the WHO column. Where they (the source of your resentment) performed multiple actions, put in as many as will provide the needed learning experience. It will probably be necessary to rewrite the entire list, because you will need more lines to amplify the reasons.







Step #4a, RESENTMENTS
Column #3
the basis (Why)
1. Ambition
6. Pride
2. Fear 7. Self esteem
3. Financial security 8. Sex relations
4. Physical security 9. Health
5. Personal relationship 10. Sense of justice .
[1. - 8. are from the Big Book. We added 9. & 10. because we thought they were needed]
Column #3 is the WHY column. Just as column #2 required more thought than column #1, this column merits some deep searching. Just what is it about you that was triggered by the other person or their actions? Include as many triggers as apply. The first 8 triggers listed here are [affects my] found in the Big Book: We have added another, 9. (Health, which may be included in 4) and the catch-all, 10., to take care of drivers who cut you off on the freeway, and people who look at you funny.

Again, it is a good idea to consult with your sponsor after you have filled in the whys for the first 4 or 5 items. Figuring these triggers out is no easy task.
Writing: Step 4b. Faults. This list can be treated as a fourth column of the resentment list. What the book says is,
The inventory was ours, not the other man's. When we saw our faults we listed them.[Big Book page 67, line 21]
Remember, the Resentment List (Step 4a) deals primarily with people, institutions and principles that you resent. Usually, your resentment is based upon a wrong you believe was done to you. The fourth column identifies your own part in causing the injury to yourself and to others as well. If you choose not to make it part of the resentment list, then make up a separate list, showing the name of the person resented and where you were also wrong.

Step #4a, RESENTMENTS with #4b, FAULTS
#1 WHO
#2 WHAT #3 WHY #4 MY ERROR
I resent: Because they: Affects my: My Fault Was:
Sam Smoker Smokes at me Health
Insulted me Self Esteem Stimulated his fear
Peter Punch Hit me Security Insulted him
Mother Sided with Dad Fear
Died Relationship Made her get sick
Father Beat me Security Broke his trophy
Fear
IRS $ Attachments Financial Didn't file returns
Wife #1 Left me Relationship Cheated on her
$ Attachments Financial No child support

Step #4c, FEARS

I'm afraid of:

Getting cancer from smoke (Sam Smoker).
Being broke. (IRS, Wife #1, Mr. Brown, etc.)
Being attacked and hurt (Peter Punch).
Being celibate (Mr. Brown, My Wife).
The purple monster in my dreams.
Being shunned by others because I'm getting fat and ugly.

Writing: Step 4c. Fears. Create another list. You have already indicated on the resentment table some actions that cause you to react in fear. Skim through them and list the feared pattern. Add other things you fear even though you do not resent them.
Step #4d, My SEXUAL CONDUCT has Injured:

Who: What I did: Their hurt:
Wife #1 Denied her affection Her self esteem
My wife Took a mistress Her self esteem
Slapped her Fear
My niece Aroused her Fear
Writing: Step 4d. Sexual Injury. This is the list of our sexually related conduct in which we have been selfish, dishonest, inconsiderate or hurtful; or where we have unjustifiably aroused jealousy, suspicion or bitterness. This list will look very much like the resentment table, except that here they could resent us:
Step 4e, HARMS I Caused:

Who I hurt:
What I did:
Peter Punch Insulted him about his age
Mike Mauler Broke his nose in a bar
Employer #1 Stole $546.65
Wife #1 $2500 Child support unpaid
Father Broken trophy
Wife Physical abuse
My son Conned him out of Med School
Mother Worried her to death

Writing: Step 4e. Harms. "We have listed the people we have hurt by our conduct..." This is a preliminary version of your list for step eight. It doesn't need to be complete at this time, but it should contain all the persons and institutions on lists 4a through 4d that you have harmed.
If the injury has already been amended, as with the IRS in our example, it does not need to be included. You may also defer to step eight the willingness to amend your harm. In other words, document what you did, not what you are willing to do about it.
Evaluation. You have finished your written inventory. It wasn't nearly as big a task as others make it out to be, was it? But, you are not done with step 4. The Big Book is clear that you are now to review your lists, analyze what they mean, and learn something from what you have written. Your analysis will be reviewed in depth in step five, where we deal with the points introduced in the Big Book one-by-one.

The principle of Step 4 is _______________________.

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5

STEP 5) Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

That is what the authors of the Big Book and millions before you did. To personalize the step for your study and action in the here and now, however, you may wish to rephrase it as:

STEP FOUR. Admit to God, to yourself, and to other human being the exact nature of your wrongs.

READING FOR STEP FIVE

Big Book:
Chapter 6, Into Action.
From: Page 72 Thru: Page 75, the bottom of the page.
12&12: Step 5


Why? This step is genuinely therapeutic. "Confession" (not an A.A. term) was one of the six steps in the Oxford Group, one of the sources from which A.A. sprang. It is to be found in some form in most every religion since ancient times. There is some kind of essential mystical property in the act of opening up completely to another human being. There is a sense of initiating the cleansing process in step 5. You have undoubtedly heard that your sickness cannot be removed completely until your deepest secret is purged. This is absolutely true!
In conjunction with your step 4, this bringing in of another person makes a lot of sense. You have done your very best to write out acts, thoughts and emotions which will need to be corrected and which will help to identify your defects of character. You have done the very best you could. Nevertheless, only the most achieved human can see himself in total objective truth. The keys to your behavior, often so obscure to you, will seem to jump out to the attention of your fifth step partner, especially if he has heard a fifth before with others. So, a major benefit is the feedback that will help you as you proceed to later steps.
One of our members noted this on page 75 of the BB:
"We...go to it, illuminating every twist of character...withholding nothing..."
He was concerned that the lists which make up Step 4 did not fulfill this everything requirement. It was pointed out that the everything refers to Step 5, not Step 4. There is always much discussion in Step 5 that goes far beyond the content of the inventory. This is the way it is supposed to be.
With whom? You have heard of A.A.s who select a total stranger (even one who speaks only another language) to hear their fifth. This might satisfy the first reason above for the step. However, it deprives the one taking the step of the response that is so vital to growth. Moreover, it makes sense to take this step with your sponsor or a person to whom you will turn for guidance in the future. When they are informed by the step and future discussions, they can help you see your patterns and provide the continuity that is necessary for unlearning old habits and initiating new (and healthy) ones.
The best approach is to select your partner, at least on a conditional basis, before you begin your step 4 in earnest. They may have definite ideas as to what they want to see when you take your fifth.
Needless to say, you will want more than concern, experience and wisdom from your partner. He or she must be absolutely trustworthy. Not a single episode from your revelation should ever leave their lips. One of the best ways of evaluating the ability of your partner to preserve private information is to listen as they talk about others. Do they engage in gossip? Do they reveal things about others you wouldn't want revealed about yourself?
When? It makes little sense to have an inventory riding around in your pocket. Once you've selected your partner, make an appointment and go to it.
Preparation. The Big Book is clear that once you have finished your step four writing, you are to review your lists, analyze what they mean, and learn something from what you have written. Your analysis will be augmented in step five, but you should not leave all the thinking up to your guide.
Read page 66 again. We are reluctant to repeat the book. However, some of the points it makes cannot be left without comment:
27. The world is, indeed imperfect, and our lives have been touched by injustice. Our typical reaction has been to try to fix the world. When that didn't work—it never does—we got good and sore and bitched and drank at it. Only in sobriety have we learned there is but one thing in this universe that we can and must try to influence. You guessed it—self. Many of us have then discovered a miraculous truth. When we set about to have our Creator manage our lives, we are often empowered with incredible influence over people near us and in the world around us. The catch (wouldn't you know there would be one) is that we must not attempt to exercise self-will.
28. The power of resentment far exceeds any conception we had of negative thinking. Were you aware that:
 ..a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness.
 The hours in which we allow futility and unhappiness in our lives are not worth while. Resentments waste our lives.
 Resentments shut us off from the sunlight of the Spirit, thereby preventing the maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience.
 When shadowed from the sunlight of the Spirit, the insanity of alcohol returns, we drink again, and we die.
 Harboring of resentments is fatal.
Most alcoholics have a deep—almost pathological—sense of justice. If we are wronged (meaning often that we did not get what we wanted), or even conjure up the notion that we might have been wronged, we find full justification to express anger or harbor resentment. It then seems almost a duty to carry a justified resentment. Otherwise those who have wronged us would get off scot-free. And that wouldn't be right, would it? So, we waste our God-given lives judging and punishing our fellows. Relinquishing a justified resentment is one of the most difficult experiences known to the alcoholic.
Yet, it must be done! There is striking evidence that resentment creates a physical poison in our bodies, in addition to the mental and spiritual maladies it feeds.
And, how do we rid ourselves of resentments? Hopefully, this process began in step 4. Our list holds the key.
a) Note the message of the column headings:
Column #1) Who do you hold a grudge against? Column #2) What did they do that you found offensive? Column #4) How did you contribute to their action? and Column #3) Why did you react with a resentment?
The first lesson is that resentments cannot be cleared up until we know we have them and why. The second lesson is that we have made ourselves vulnerable to the outside world to an extraordinary extent. Our entire self concept has been molded by the opinions and actions of others and our old thinking as to what we ought to be and were.
b) Next, it is necessary to be willing to let go of the resentment. You will learn more about this in step six. Moreover—and the Big Book doesn't give as much help here as it might—we must forgive the person we resent. There will be more discussion of forgiving others in step eight. Just accept right now that you are going to have to do it! There is no other course.
Now look at your fear list. For most of us, fear is the underlying cause of resentments, greed and negative behavior with others. This will be discussed further in step six.
Finally, the harm you have done others, whether relating to sex or not, needs to be thought through. Why did you do what you did?
The ultimate key given you in the Big Book is the oft repeated notion that your life is now on a different basis. A basis is a foundation—that upon which all the rest stands. Your new basis is trusting and relying upon God.
Character Defects. You will note in the steps these phrases: the exact nature of our wrongs, defects of character and shortcomings. Here we have three different ways of saying defects of character, which, according to Webster, are the habitual traits of defective thought and behavior which distinguish a person:
The dictionary on CHARACTER
3. An attribute , quality, or property; esp., a distinguishing attribute.

5. The aggregation of distinctive qualities belonging to an individual...; the stamp of individuality impressed by nature, education, or habit...
6 The estimate put upon a person of thing; reputation; repute.
7. Moral vigor or firmness, esp. as acquired through self discipline.
We have heard folks point out that nature in "...the exact nature of our wrongs..." is singular. We have performed many wrongs, but there is but one underlying nature for our wrong doing. Having given this idea some thought, we conjectured that separation from God or self-centeredness might be our singular wrong. However, the text in the step could also be interpreted that each wrong might have its own and different nature. Understand it as you will, discuss it with your sober associates, and then move on. There just might not be a "right" answer to this one.
We have assembled on the last page a short catalogue of character defects, which you may expand or condense as you see fit. At the end of your step five you should know which of these apply to you. In the [ ] to the left of each candidate in the catalogue you can place a check mark [] if it applies sometimes, an [X] if it is a real problem, or just leave it blank [ ]. These are the things we become willing to have removed from us in Step 6. Please notice that unreasonable judges, nagging partners, dictatorial bosses, stupid drivers, overdrawn checking accounts, falling hair and warts are not on the list.
Conduct of your fifth will be guided by your partner, who will be delighted that you have not brought the great American novel, and that you have followed the tried and true formula in the Big Book (as modified, perhaps by their prior direction). They will usually ask you to read your fourth to them. Much valuable communication will be provided by your expressions and voice in addition to your words. If they take notes, which is rare, they will give them to you before you leave. They are yours. This step takes anywhere from 2 to 8 hours. Schedule enough time, especially in recognition that many partners will combine steps five, six, seven and eight in one sitting.
Promises: we have a whole page on promises. We can't resist repeating here what A.A. members are promised at the completion of a successful Step 5.
"Once we have taken this step, withholding nothing,
1. (W)e are delighted.
2. We can look the world in the eye.
3. We can be alone at perfect peace and ease.
4. Our fears fall from us.
5. We begin to feel the nearness of our Creator.
6. We may have had certain spiritual beliefs, but now we begin to have a spiritual experience.
7. The feeling that the drink problem has disappeared will often come strongly.
8. We feel we are on the Broad Highway, walking hand in hand with the Spirit of the Universe. "
In many meetings we are read the alleged "12 promises" (actually the 18 beginning at the bottom of page 83). Upon reflection, the promises from Step 5 might be even more wonderful. Go to Promises and discover for yourself.
Writing: for once, there is no writing you need to do in advance of step five other than your inventory. Note, though, that at the conclusion of your presentation be sure that you have at least three pieces of paper to take home with you:
1. The first will be a list of your defects of character. If you like, use the list on the next page by checking off the character defects that apply to you. This list will guide steps 6 and 7.
2. You should also have a preliminary list of persons you have harmed for step 8 (This will be a combination of the sexual injury [4d] and persons you have harmed lists [4e] from step 4.).
3. Retrieve a list of the names of the persons you still resent. You will probably find it necessary to forgive them in order for the resentment to be removed.
It is often a good idea to burn the inventory you brought with you. More on this in step 7.
The principle of Step 5 _____________________.
.
Defects of CHARACTER
[ ] Abusing others
[ ] Fear * [ ] Pessimism
[ ] Anger 7 [ ] Filthy-mindedness [ ] Prejudice
[ ] Arguing [ ] Gluttony 7 [ ] Pride 7
[ ] Arrogance [ ] Gossiping * [ ] Procrastination *
[ ] Boasting [ ] Greed 7 [ ] Recklessness
[ ] Cheating [ ] Hate * [ ] Resentment *
[ ] Closed-mindedness [ ] Hopelessness [ ] Revenge
[ ] Cold-heartedness [ ] Immodesty [ ] Sarcasm
[ ] Complaining [ ] Impatience * [ ] Secretiveness
[ ] Controlling others [ ] Injustice [ ] Self condemnation *
[ ] Corrupt companions [ ] Insincerity * [ ] Self-indulgence
[ ] Cowardice [ ] Insulting [ ] Self-justification *
[ ] Criticizing * [ ] Intolerance [ ] Self-pity *
[ ] Dependency [ ] Irresponsibility [ ] Selfishness *
[ ] Destructiveness [ ] Jealousy * [ ] Sloth 7
[ ] Deviousness [ ] Laziness * [ ] Theft
[ ] Dishonesty * [ ] Lewdness [ ] Thrill-seeking
[ ] Enviousness * 7 [ ] Lust 7 [ ] Thoughtlessness
[ ] Exaggeration [ ] Lying * [ ] Uncleanness
[ ] Excess [ ] Meddling [ ] Vulgarity *
[ ] Fanaticism [ ] Miserliness [ ] Waste
[ ] Favoritism [ ] Negative thinking *
* One of 20 character defects identified by an early member of A.A.
7 One of the "Seven Deadly Sins" (try the mnemonic, "GAPLEGS", or, better yet, "PAGGLES")

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6

6) Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
That is what the authors of the Big Book and millions before you did. To personalize the step for your study and action in the here and now, however, you may wish to rephrase it as:
STEP SIX. I am entirely ready for God to remove all my defects of character
READING FOR STEP SIX
Big Book:
Chapter 6, Into Action.
Page 76, paragraph 1, line 1-7
12&12: Step 6

At this point, it would be a good idea to look again at our discussion of step 5, where we define character and list a number of candidate defects. Upon completion of step 5, you should have compiled a list of the character defects which you have. Step 6, the object of our current discussion, is concerned with your willingness to have these defects of character removed.
You have noticed that discussion of step 6 in the Big Book is but 5 sentences in 7 lines. We will look at each of these sentences in turn.
Sentence #1. If we can answer to our satisfaction, we then look at Step Six. [Big Book, page 76, line 1]
What are we answering? On the prior page we are instructed to do certain things after completion of step 5, including:
Carefully reading the first five proposals we ask if we have omitted anything, for we are building an arch through which we shall walk a free man at last. [Big Book, page 75, line 29]
Your arch spans 7 of the 12 steps. It was entered in step 3, when you decided to turn your life and will over to the care of your understanding of God. Upon completion of step 9, which you are yet to do, you will have entered the "realm of the spirit" (step10).
But wait a minute. The design is not yours. Then whose design (path) is this?
RARELY HAVE WE seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. [Big Book, page 58, line 2]
Both you and the new man must walk day by day in the path of spiritual progress. [Big Book, page 100, line 6]
Time after time, this apparent calamity has been a boon to us, for it opened up a path which led to the discovery of God. [Big Book, page 116, line 15]
And where do we build our arch?
But be sure you are on solid spiritual ground before you start and that your motive in going is thoroughly good. [Big Book, page 102, line 4]
With what do we build?
When, therefore, we were approached by those in whom the problem had been solved, there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet. [Big Book, page 25, line 13]
"God, I offer myself to Thee-to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. [Big Book, page 63, line 15]
The portion of a structure upon which all else (even the foundation) rests is the footing.
He provided what we needed, if we kept close to Him and performed His work well. Established on such a footing we became less and less interested in ourselves, our little plans and designs. [Big Book, page 63 line 5]
The foundation itself is described in some detail in the Big Book:
Upon a foundation of complete willingness I might build what I saw in my friend. [Big Book, page 12, line 22]
Helping others is the foundation stone of your recovery. [Big Book, page 97, line 5]
...let him go as far as he likes in helping other alcoholics. During those first days of convalescence, this will do more to insure his sobriety than anything else. Though some of his manifestations are alarming and disagreeable, we think dad will be on a firmer foundation than the man who is placing business or professional success ahead of spiritual development. [Big Book, page 130, line 2]
Twelve–Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. [Big Book, page 564, line 31]




We should take special note of the keystone of the arch. It is the stone in the center at the top. Both sides of the arch rest up

[Rusty Zipper]

[scaredykat]

Thanks BW for posting this. I found this Big Book site a long time ago. Great site.

[Rusty Zipper]

heading off to a BB Step Study tonight...

[Butterfly Woman]

Step studies in this area are done only from the Big Book. It is important to note that our 12 X 12 is just as important

[Rusty Zipper]

same here auntie...