Facing surgery a friend brought up the subject of prayer and meditation. Their problems. And that was followed by others wanting to talk about the Third Step. Sure brought back memories from the past. Especially what most of us go through. Growing along spiritual lines.
One of the things, which ran through my mind, was the problems I have had with being spiritual. Not a great topic for me. I mean my example. But what I needed to hear I know I heard today. And part of that was the Serenity Prayer. I know that is one thing, which helps most of us to focus on what it is we need to do. Letting go of our negative emotions and our character defects.
One of the other problems a lot of us had was being able to maintain focus on prayers and meditations. Not an easy task for people like myself, an alcoholic, who is human and not a saint. And, as I was told a long time ago, that people like myself were going to stumble over defects from time to time in here. And, though it might not be all that bad, it still disturbs most of us. And it will until the end of our lives.
Two persons, who helped me on this subject, were a doctor and a minister. They helped me to learn to back off and be quiet. To acquire moments of no thoughts whatever. Or, as it is called, contemplation. To be able to sit quietly and “listen”. That took a long long time to practice and learn, but it has worked over time. For me something of a spiritual act in here. That’s because I will always question my being spiritual.
Anyway all of this helped me to listen and be attentive to the discussion. And, when I got home, I had to stop and think about this. Once again it reminded me of my being able to stay sober a day at a time.And to remember and believe that statement in the Ninth Step in the BB. The spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it. And that is a reminder of living a life of gratitude for my Higher Power, this program, and all those within it, who have helped me over my time in here.