One of the things, which always bothers me, as a result of discussion meetings, is the tendency to give advice and attempts at “practicing therapy” with people, bringing up their problems. And generally, as far as I can see, they are not the answer. If they aren’t the answer, then what is?
In my own experience the answer is right there in the Fifth Tradition. Carrying the AA message to the alcoholic, who still suffers. And that message is what? Don’t drink and practice this program.
Whenever I find myself in a state, which causes me to “suffer”, I have found the answer to my problem to be the spiritual solution. Always. I never want to forget that. It’s what I learned from my sponsor and others. Like it says in the Ninth Step, the spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it.
Tonight I was thinking about that very thing. The spiritual life. And, as always, I have to ask myself, how am I doing in this spiritual life? And, as usual, I tell myself not very well. That’s because I see myself as not very spiritual. Oh, everyday I do attempt to pray and meditate. However I still have a mind, which is easily distracted. It’s at moments like right now that I can focus and concentrate on what I believe I need to. And right now I’m thinking about something, which often occupies my mind. My attempts at a spiritual way of living.
After all it’s the maintenance of my spiritual condition, which is fundamental in my staying sober. Again something I never want to forget. Part of which for me is to do the best I can. And that always brings up the question, am I doing that? The best I can? I don’t think I’m a good judge of that. And who can make that judgment for me? Bottom line, my Higher Power.
As I sat there thinking about this, probably because someone called me today with their problems, and this brought the spiritual life and the spiritual solution into the conversation. I told him about my experiences. I’m not sure I was helpful. But all I could do was try.
In answer to one man’s question earlier today I didn’t give any advice, as such. I talked about reliance on the Second Step. Surrender. Hope. Faith. And practicing this program. That’s what the bottom line for me from my sponsor and those old timers. It must have worked, because I’m still sober, still here, and going to meetings, trying to apply these principles I have learned in here.
I still have a recognition of all the things I am powerless over and my need to rely on my Higher Power for help with these. I still need to be reminded that I’m not in charge. Like one of my friends always reminds me, to get out of the driver’s seat and move to the back of the bus. Not always easy, since I’m still human and have a power driven ego. Maybe a little smaller today, but I know it’s still there.
I also was reminded in my contemplating the spiritual life about Dr. Carl Jung, the man mentioned in the BB, and who was the first one I know of to recommend a spiritual experience, as the cure for that young man in the chapter There Is A Solution. I know the credit Bill W. gave to this man, near the end of Dr. Jung’s life. There were a number of others, spiritual people, who influenced my life, I stopped to think about.
Anyway, no matter what it is for each one of us, the spiritual life is extremely important. At least I think it is. Just thinking about sobriety again. It’s what saved my life and turned it around. I wanted to express some of what we talked about today. Gratitude. I owe so much to so many and my Higher Power. Just wanted to say thanks.