Step Eleven
Continuation of the Step Eleven chapter in Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. My emphasis in bold and my comments in red. First part of chapter in preceding post.
Sometimes we took a slightly different tack. Sure, we said to ourselves, the hen probably did come before the egg. No doubt the universe had a “first cause” of some sort, the God of the Atom, maybe, hot and cold by turns. But certainly there wasn’t any evidence for a God who knew or cared about human beings. We liked A.A, all right, and were quick to say that it had done miracles. But we recoiled from meditation and prayer as obstinately as the scientist who refused to perform a certain experiment lest it prove his pet theory wrong. Of course we finally did experiment, and when unexpected results followed, we felt different; in fact we knew different; and so we were sold on meditation and prayer. And that, we have found, can happen to anybody who tries. It has been well said that “almost the only scoffers at prayer are those who never tried it enough.” It’s the “try it, you’ll like it” ploy.
Those of us who have come to make regular use of prayer would no more do without it than we would refuse air, food, or sunshine. And for the same reason. When we refuse air, light, or food, the body suffers. And when we turn away from meditation and prayer, we likewise deprive our minds, our emotions, and our intuitions of vitally needed support. As the body can fail its purpose for lack of nourishment, so can the soul. We all need the light of God’s reality, the nourishment of His strength, and the atmosphere of His grace. To an amazing extent the facts of A.A. life confirm this ageless truth.
There is a direct linkage among self-examination, meditation, and prayer. Taken separately, these practices can bring much relief and benefit. But when they are logically related and interwoven, the result is an unshakable foundation for life. Now and then we may be granted a glimpse of that ultimate reality which is God’s kingdom. And we will be comforted and assured that our own destiny in that realm will be secure for so long as we try, however falteringly, to find and do the will of our own Creator.
Those of us who have come to make regular use of prayer would no more do without it than we would refuse air, food, or sunshine. And for the same reason. When we refuse air, light, or food, the body suffers. And when we turn away from meditation and prayer, we likewise deprive our minds, our emotions, and our intuitions of vitally needed support. As the body can fail its purpose for lack of nourishment, so can the soul. We all need the light of God’s reality, the nourishment of His strength, and the atmosphere of His grace. To an amazing extent the facts of A.A. life confirm this ageless truth.
There is a direct linkage among self-examination, meditation, and prayer. Taken separately, these practices can bring much relief and benefit. But when they are logically related and interwoven, the result is an unshakable foundation for life. Now and then we may be granted a glimpse of that ultimate reality which is God’s kingdom. And we will be comforted and assured that our own destiny in that realm will be secure for so long as we try, however falteringly, to find and do the will of our own Creator.
This entire chapter reminds me of my car selling days. Earlier in the chapter the authors very briefly sympathize with the agnostic. Then they just ignore the first objection which is rarely the real objection, and proceed to sell the benefits. Brilliant approach.
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From the Writings
of
Saint Rose of Lima
Feast Day Celebrated August 23
"If only mortals would learn how great it is to possess divine grace, how beautiful, how noble, how precious. How many riches it hides within itself, how many joys and delights! No one would complain about his cross or about troubles that may happen to him, if he would come to know the scales on which they are weighed when they are distributed to men."
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7 comments:
That's a beautiful quotation. I think we human beings are our own worst enemies!
You've been nominated for an Award: http://rosesandjessamine.blogspot.com/2008/08/gifts.html
wow... that's awesome. I wonder if certain steps in the 12 step program are applicable to dealing with mental illness? This one totally is!
Rosario - The Twelve Steps are a wonderful guide for life in general. They would not be a substitute for the care of a good doctor in the case of severe mental illness.
Science and God can and do work together to help folks in all sorts of situations.
The Twelve Steps are also not a substitute for the teachings of Holy Mother Church, but an aid to help us navigate our conversion journey.
Very well put, adrienne. All things work together...
However, since I used to make my living that way, I do feel obligated to expound a proper role for doctors. MD's are much less useful for mental illness than people give them credit for. Many other influences play a bigger role: supportive family, pastor, confessor, the 12 steps, and even psychotherapists of various stripes.
But most helpful of all is that the person's environment learn to be less demanding, especially limiting the overload on people who are making the transition into adulthood.
(Yes, there are situations where medications are necessary -- just as sometimes happens in alcoholism. You know, like detox. But this is a bandaid, used after things have been allowed to go too far.)
Irene - you are so right. I probably should have emphasized the good part of doctor. I personally think most of them are idiots.
My present doctor is wonderful in that he lets me take the lead in any treatments I may have. He knows I have an extensive medical background, a faith that is important to me, and am willing to put in the time researching before I make any decisions. He always says I am his favorite kind of patient.
I try to be very careful in letting anyone think I have all the answers and certainly am in no position to recommend treatment. A wrong move could spell disaster for a seriously ill person.
And, yes, I agree we over medicate our citizens. Keeps them quiet, you know!
The authors speak on a level of consciousness only few can reach. Perhaps they clawed themselves to that point through their own struggles with alcoholism. Either way, fantastic.
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