The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions..Long Version

[Angel09]

Tradition Eleven:

"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."

Public relations are important to A.A. Good public relations save lives. We seek publicity for A.A. princibles, not A.A. members. The press cooperated. Personal anonymity at the public level is the cornerstone of our public relations policy. Eleventh Tradition is a constant reminder that personal ambition has no place in A.A. Each member becomes an active guardian of our Fellowship.

[Angel09]

STEP ELEVEN:

"Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him praying only for the knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out."

Meditation and prayer main channels to Higher Power. Connection between self-examination and prayer. An unshakable foundation for life. How shall we meditate? Meditation has no boundries. An individual adventure. First result is emotional balance. What about prayer? Daily petiitons for understanding of God's will and grace to carry it out. Actual results of prayer are beyond question. Rewards of meditation and prayer.

[Rusty Zipper]

my favorite step!

it's my (_rz_) kicker!

[Angel09]

STEP TWELVE:

"Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to parctice these princibles in all our affairs."

Joy of living is the theme of the Twelfth Step. Action its keyword. Giving that asks no reward. Love that has no price tag. What is spiritual awakening? A new state fo consciousness and being is received as a free gift. Readiness to receive gift lies in practice of these princibles in all our affairs? Monotony, pain, and calamity turned to good use by practice of Steps. Difficultiies of practice. "Two stepping." Switch to "twelve stepping" and demonstrations of faith. Growing spiritually is the answer to our problems. Placing spirituality growth first. Domination and overdependence. Putting our lives on give-and-take basis. Dependence upon God necessary to recovery of alcoholics. "Practicing these princible in all our affairs" : Domestic relations in A.A. Outlook upon material matters changes. So do feelings about personal importance. Instincts re-store to true purpose. Understanding is key to right attitudes, right action key to good living.

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TRADITION TWELVE:

"Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place princibles before personalities."

Spiritual substance of anonymity is sacrifice. Subordinating personal aims to the common good is the essence of all Twelve Traditions. Why A.A. could not remain a secret society. Princibles come before personalities. One hundred percent anonymity at the public level. Anonymity is real humility.

Well, we have come to the end of "The Twelve Steps and "Twelve Tradition. " I hope that some of you got something out of it, I know, I did...!!

Thanks.."The Angel"

[Butterfly Woman]

Thank You Angel