STEP 3

Ways to a faith that works

   The Spiritual Experience

•          In what ways is my being sober today evidence of having tapped an unsuspected inner resource which I may identify with [my own] conception of a Power greater than [myself]? (567: 4-568: 0)

•          How does one go about accepting spiritual help? Might one’s spiritual life then include our constant thought of others and how we may help meet their needs? (20: 0)  Can I accept that the concept of “others” includes me?

•          How do Dr. Carl Jung's reflections on vital spiritual experiences as the solution to our problem apply to my recovery? (27: 4, 5)

•          How might William James’ Varieties of Religious Experience be of use to me? (28: 3)

•          Have I experienced the presence of a higher power? Be specific.

 “There is a solution. Almost none of us liked the self-searching, the leveling of our pride, the confession of shortcomings which the process requires for its successful consummation. But we saw that it really worked in others, and we had come to believe in the hopelessness and futility of life as we had been living it. When, therefore, we were approached by those in whom the problem had been solved, there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet. We have found much of heaven and we have been rocketed into a fourth dimension of existence of which we had not even dreamed.  (25: 1)

 

“The great fact is just this, and nothing less: That we have had deep and effective spiritual experiences which have revolutionized our whole attitude toward life, toward our fellows and toward God's universe. The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous. He has commenced to accomplish those things for us which we could never do by ourselves. (25: 2)

 

“ ‘Is there no exception?’ (27: 3) “ ‘Yes,’ replied the doctor ...(the psychiatrist, Dr. Jung)..., ‘there is. Exceptions to cases such as yours have been occurring since early times. Here and there, once in a while, alcoholics have had what are called vital spiritual experiences. To me these occurrences are phenomena. They appear to be in the nature of huge emotional displacements and rearrangements. Ideas, emotions, and attitudes which were once the guiding forces of the lives of these men are suddenly cast to one side, and a completely new set of conceptions and motives begin to dominate them. ...’  (27: 4)

 

“The distinguished American psychologist, William James, in his book ‘Varieties of Religious Experience’, indicates a multitude of ways in which men have discovered God. We have no desire to convince anyone that there is only one way by which faith can be acquired. If what we have learned and felt and seen means anything at all, it means that all of us, whatever our race, creed, or color are the children of a living Creator with whom we may form a relationship upon simple and understandable terms as soon as we are willing and honest enough to try. Those having religious affiliations will find here nothing disturbing to their beliefs or ceremonies. There is no friction among us over such matters.  (28: 3)

 

“Further on, clear-cut directions are given showing how we recovered.” (29: 1)

 

How have your conceptions of a higher power changed over time?

Based on what you have learned about recovery so far how do you see the turning over process of step three ? what are the things that might prevent you emotionally and intellectually from accepting the help of a higher power?

 

List ten ways a HP is working in your life now:

1.       

2.       

3.       

4.       

5.       

6.       

7.       

8.       

9.       

10.   

What is a power greater than myself?

-

-

What are my grievances against a higher power?

-

-

What is the evidence that a higher power is working in my life?

-

-

 

What are the characteristics my higher power does NOT have?

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

	How do you feel in general about turning your life over to God?
3	In what ways will you keep up the process of turning your life over to God? Possibilities include going to religious services - 12 Step meetings - meeting with others in recovery - writing a journal - service to others - meditation - reading - physical exercise - contacting your sponsor or engaging in therapy.
3	How would you answer the question "Who am I"?
3	How would you answer the question "Who is God"? In other words - describe God as you understand God.
3	Describe who or what you trust and to what degree.
3	In what do you find meaning now or think that you can find meaning in the future?
3	How do you think that you should live your life after giving your life over to the care of God as you understand God? What changes do you expect to make and how will this look in specific detail?
3	How do you plan to celebrate or honor this step of turning your life over to the care of God?
3	Describe any celebration or honoring activity that you have actually made in turning your life over to the care of God.

 

What characteristics DOES my higher power have?

·          

·          

·          

·          

·          

·          

·          

·          

·          

·         What characteristics DOESN’T my higher power have?

·          

               C Hope        There’s help for my problem.

   The Spiritual Experience

•         In what ways is my being sober today evidence of having tapped an unsuspected inner resource which I may identify with [my own] conception of a Power greater than [myself]?

•         How does one go about accepting spiritual help? Might one’s spiritual life then include our constant thought of others and how we may help meet their needs?

-         Can I accept that the concept of “others” includes me?

•         How do Dr. Carl Jung's reflections on vital spiritual experiences as the solution to our problem apply to my recovery?

•         How might William James’ Varieties of Religious Experience be of use to me?

•         Have I experienced the presence of a higher power? Be specific.

 “There is a solution. Almost none of us liked the self-searching, the leveling of our pride, the confession of shortcomings which the process requires for its successful consummation. But we saw that it really worked in others, and we had come to believe in the hopelessness and futility of life as we had been living it. When, therefore, we were approached by those in whom the problem had been solved, there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet. We have found much of heaven and we have been rocketed into a fourth dimension of existence of which we had not even dreamed.  (p. 25: 1)

“The great fact is just this, and nothing less: That we have had deep and effective spiritual experiences which have revolutionized our whole attitude toward life, toward our fellows and toward God's universe. The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous. He has commenced to accomplish those things for us which we could never do by ourselves. (25: 2)

“ Is there no exception?’ (27: 3) “ ‘Yes,’ replied the doctor ...(the psychiatrist, Dr. Jung)..., ‘there is. Exceptions to cases such as yours have been occurring since early times. Here and there, once in a while, alcoholics have had what are called vital spiritual experiences. To me these occurrences are phenomena. They appear to be in the nature of huge emotional displacements and rearrangements. Ideas, emotions, and attitudes which were once the guiding forces of the lives of these men are suddenly cast to one side, and a completely new set of conceptions and motives begin to dominate them. ...’  (27: 4)

“The distinguished American psychologist, William James, in his book ‘Varieties of Religious Experience’, indicates a multitude of ways in which men have discovered God. We have no desire to convince anyone that there is only one way by which faith can be acquired. If what we have learned and felt and seen means anything at all, it means that all of us, whatever our race, creed, or color are the children of a living Creator with whom we may form a relationship upon simple and understandable terms as soon as we are willing and honest enough to try. Those having religious affiliations will find here nothing disturbing to their beliefs or ceremonies. There is no friction among us over such matters.  (28: 3)

“Further on, clear-cut directions are given showing how we recovered.” (29: 1)

 

How have your conceptions of a higher power changed over time?

Based on what you have learned about recovery so far how do you see the turning over process of step three ? what are the things that might prevent you emotionally and intellectually from accepting the help of a higher power?

 

List ten ways a HP is working in your life now:

11.         

12.       

13.       

14.       

15.       

16.      

17.       

18.      

19.      

20.     

What is a power greater than myself?

-

-

What are my grievances against a higher power?

-

-

What is the evidence that a higher power is working in my life?

-

-

 

What are the characteristics my higher power does NOT have?

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

	How do you feel in general about turning your life over to God?
3	In what ways will you keep up the process of turning your life over to God? Possibilities include going to religious services - 12 Step meetings - meeting with others in recovery - writing a journal - service to others - meditation - reading - physical exercise - contacting your sponsor or engaging in therapy.
3	How would you answer the question "Who am I"?
3	How would you answer the question "Who is God"? In other words - describe God as you understand God.
3	Describe who or what you trust and to what degree.
3	In what do you find meaning now or think that you can find meaning in the future?
3	How do you think that you should live your life after giving your life over to the care of God as you understand God? What changes do you expect to make and how will this look in specific detail?
3	How do you plan to celebrate or honor this step of turning your life over to the care of God?
3	Describe any celebration or honoring activity that you have actually made in turning your life over to the care of God.

 

 

 

 

 

What characteristics DOES my higher power have?

·        

·        

·        

·        

·        

·        

·        

·        

·        

·     What characteristics DOESN’T my higher power have?

 

Step Three calls for affirmative action, for it is only by action that we can cut away the self-will which has always blocked the entry of God - or, if you like a Higher Power - into our lives. Faith, to be sure, is necessary, but faith alone can avail nothing.

We can have faith, yet keep God out of our lives.

Therefore our problem now becomes just how and by what specific means shall we be able to let Him in?

Step Three represents our first attempt to do this.

In fact, the effectiveness of the whole A.A. program will rest upon how well and how earnestly we have tried to come to "a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God".