Every morning at 7 am, I either listen to someone read from the AA Big Book or read it myself, starting halfway down page 85 and going to the end of the chapter. These 16 paragraphs, about 1,070 words, are a crucial part of my recovery. They perfectly convey the simple yet life-changing suggestions of Step 11.
I feel fortunate to have joined this Step 11 sunrise online meeting early in my recovery, back when I was still on Step 1, only just admitting I was powerless over alcohol. Today, having completed all 12 steps and staying sober, I know that listening to these words daily and practicing their suggestions has made my journey that little bit easier. Without this routine, each day would be harder, and I’d be heading for trouble if I rested on my laurels and let up on my spiritual program of action.
Page 85 half way down to the end of the chapter
– Part one –
It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will into all of our activities. “How can I best serve Thee—Thy will (not mine) be done.’’ These are thoughts which must go with us constantly. We can exercise our will power along this line all we wish. It is the proper use of the will.
Much has already been said about receiving strength, inspiration, and direction from Him who has all knowledge and power. If we have carefully followed directions, we have begun to sense the flow of His Spirit into us. To some extent we have become God-conscious. We have begun to develop this vital sixth sense. But we must go further and that means more action.
A Daily Reprieve
It is too easy to let up, to rest upon
The laurels won, to slacken in the fight
Against the subtle foe, the demon's might.
We are not cured; our freedom is a loan,
A daily reprieve, contingent on our own
Spiritual condition. Every day
We must carry the vision of God's way
Into all that we do, asking, "How
Can I best serve Thee? Thy will, not mine, allow."
These thoughts must be our constant companion, guides
To help us use our will, our power to decide
The path we'll take. Much has already been said
Of strength and inspiration, freely given
By Him who has all knowledge and all power.
If we have followed His directions well,
We've felt His Spirit flowing into us,
God-conscious, growing in this vital sense.
But more is needed; action must increase.
Page 85 half way down to the end of the chapter
– Part two –
Step Eleven suggests prayer and meditation. We shouldn’t be shy on this matter of prayer. Better men than we are using it constantly. It works, if we have the proper attitude and work at it. It would be easy to be vague about this matter. Yet, we believe we can make some definite and valuable suggestions.
Step Eleven: Prayer and Meditation
Step Eleven, a guide to prayer and thought,
A path to peace, a solace to be sought.
Don't shy away, for better men than we,
Have found in prayer a constant remedy.
It works, if we approach it with the right,
Attitude, and work at it with might.
It's easy to be vague, to skirt the edge,
But let us be specific, let's pledge.
To make suggestions, definite and true,
To guide you on this path, both old and new.
Page 85 half way down to the end of the chapter
– Part 3 –
When we retire at night, we constructively review our day. Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid? Do we owe an apology? Have we kept some thing to ourselves which should be discussed with another person at once? Were we kind and loving toward all? What could we have done better? Were we thinking of ourselves most of the time? Or were we thinking of what we could do for others, of what we could pack into the stream of life? But we must be careful not to drift into worry, remorse or morbid reflection, for that would diminish our useful ness to others. After making our review we ask God’s forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken.
Nightly Review
When day is done, we pause to contemplate
The actions of the hours we have spent,
To see if we have fallen into fate.
Were we resentful, selfish, discontent?
Did we withhold, or did we freely give?
Have we been kind, loving, or full of contempt?
On serving self, and nothing else? We strive
To think of others, to enrich their lives,
To make the world a better place to live.
But we must guard against the thoughts that strive
To fill our minds with worry and with dread,
With guilt and fear, that make it hard to thrive.
So let us ask for God's forgiveness, spread
Our hearts before Him, seeking His advice,
And follow where His guiding hand will lead.
Page 85 half way down to the end of the chapter
– Part 4 –
On awakening let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Be fore we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives. Under these conditions we can employ our mental faculties with assurance, for after all God gave us brains to use. Our thought-life will be placed on a much higher plane when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives.
In thinking about our day we may face indecision. We may not be able to determine which course to take. Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. We relax and take it easy. We don’t struggle. We are often surprised how the right answers come after we have tried this for a while.
What used to be the hunch or the occasional inspiration gradually becomes a working part of the mind. Being still inexperienced and having just made conscious contact with God, it is not probable that we are going to be inspired at all times. We might pay for this presumption in all sorts of absurd actions and ideas. Nevertheless, we find that our thinking will, as time passes, be more and more on the plane of in spiration. We come to rely upon it.
We usually conclude the period of meditation with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems. We ask especially for freedom from self-will, and are careful to make no request for ourselves only. We may ask for ourselves, however, if others will be helped. We are careful never to pray for our own selfish ends. Many of us have wasted a lot of time doing that and it doesn’t work. You can easily see why.
If circumstances warrant, we ask our wives or friends to join us in morning meditation. If we belong to a religious denomination which requires a definite morning devotion, we attend to that also. If not members of religious bodies, we sometimes select and memorize a few set prayers which emphasize the principles we have been discussing. There are many helpful books also. Suggestions about these may be obtained from one’s priest, minister, or rabbi. Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer.
A Morning Meditation
On waking, let us ponder hours to come,
Each day a canvas, painted stroke by stroke.
Before we start, we ask the Lord to guide,
To cleanse our thoughts of self and selfish schemes.
With minds thus purified, we think with ease,
For God has given brains for us to use.
When thoughts are clear, our minds soar higher still.
Indecision clouds our path, a murky maze.
We seek divine guidance, a guiding light.
We still our minds, relax, and wait with peace.
Oftentimes, solutions emerge, clear and bright.
What once was hunch or fleeting inspiration
Becomes a steady part of conscious mind.
Though inexperienced, we may seek too much,
And stumble blindly, lost in foolish ways.
Yet with time, our thoughts align with heaven's grace.
We end our meditation with a plea:
May God reveal our path, step by step,
Provide the tools to face each challenge bold.
We ask for freedom from self-will's harsh grip,
And pray for others, not just for ourselves.
Avoid the trap of selfish, empty prayers,
For they are futile, a waste of precious time.
If circumstances permit, invite a friend
To join you in this sacred morning hour.
If faith demands a formal, set routine,
Attend with reverence, a willing heart.
Even those without a church can find solace
In chosen prayers, memorized and dear.
Seek guidance from a priest, a rabbi, or a minister,
And learn from those who walk a righteous path.
Page 85 half way down to the end of the chapter
– Part 5 –
As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day “Thy will be done.’’ We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves.
It works—it really does.
We alcoholics are undisciplined. So we let God discipline us in the simple way we have just outlined. But this is not all. There is action and more action. “Faith without works is dead.’’ The next chapter is entirely devoted to Step Twelve.
A Humble Prayer
God help me go through the day, and pause,
When doubt or agitation gnaws,
And ask for guidance, clear and bright,
To lead me on the righteous path.
Please remind me, with humble heart,
That we no longer play the main part
In running life, but let God's will
Guide me through every trial.
I say, "Thy will be done," with grace,
And find my fears begin to fade.
No more excitement, anger, strife,
Just peace and calm that fill my life.
I am more efficient, less fatigued,
For foolish energy is purged.
No longer do I strive to bend
Life's course to suit my selfish end.
It works, it truly does, that I find,
When I surrender, with an open-mind.
God disciplines me, gently guides,
And peace and joy within abides.
But this is not enough, I know,
For faith without works cannot grow.
In Step Twelve, I’ll find the key
To active service, to keep me free.
