I was thinking about the 11th step this morning. Actually it was about spirituality in general.
What keyed me in to this was I saw a book I had read back a while ago and it reminded me. It was written by a very spiritual man. I had read many of his books in the past and had always admired his brand of spirituality. I still do. But it put me in mind of what I think about the spiritual life; hence the 11th step.
It’s amazing how my concept of the spiritual life has changed. It’s less ethereal than it used to be. I think I had what the good doctor in the Doctor’s Opinion called “frothy emotional appeal”. Not quite “sugary sweet”, but on that level somewhat. I saw it as something deep and quite mysterious.
Today I look at it as something down to earth. Something practical and reasonable. Something reachable for all. I learned that in here and through the practice of the 12 steps. When I was presented with the concept that the solution to my acohol problems was spiritual, it suddenly became something very attainable. Not the little goody two shoes variety, but something very blue collar about it. Something I could do everyday. A “hands on” kind of spirituality.
The line in the 9th step in the BB clued me in. The spiritual life is not a theory; it has to be lived. I could add to that: if I want to stay sober.
I know that everyone of us in the program probably has their own concept of what the spiritual life is and what it’s about. This is not about changing anyones mind. Just my thoughts. Today mine are more simple than they used to be.
I know from what the instructions in the BB says about the maintenance of our spiritual condition, being the hallmark of our sobriety. Sober is sober. If we’re sober today, it’s pretty clear to me, if we are willing to work the steps, that we’re living the spiritual life.
I’ve always thought that the most spiritual thing I can do today is to not take that next drink and stay sober. I guess this was my meditation.