The Place Where Serenity and Mindfulness Connect
two spiritual communities - 12-Step Recovery and New Thought.
two spiritual communities - 12-Step Recovery and New Thought.
two spiritual communities - 12-Step Recovery and New Thought.
two spiritual communities - 12-Step Recovery and New Thought.
two spiritual communities - 12-Step Recovery and New Thought.
It is not the easiest thing to even find a quote in New Thought Science of Mind that acknowledges character defects, dark sides, and flaws. I love that the philosophy of the teaching is focused on generating and recognizing positive energy at all times and in every situation. I know this is my key to living a marvelous life.
I used to wonder sarcastically to myself why, with my addictive personality, I couldn’t get addicted to meditation. I had always heard meditation was a great pathway to deep inner peace, connection, relaxation – all the things I was seeking but didn’t have the patience to cultivate naturally.
I can’t help but notice those two giant little words at the end of this step… “of ourselves.” For quite some time I took inventories of others, feeling indignant that they didn’t see what I did. It was decades before I had the slightest inkling of a notion that the problem was me. (Similar to being introduced to the concept that alcohol was but a symptom, not the problem here. Another head scratcher.)
Having an ongoing and ever-deepening spiritual awakening and expansion as a result of these programs, I desire to carry this message to others who seek serenity through spirituality and 12-step work. And as promised, it becomes another pathway to help me stay rooted in my own sobriety and to practice the spiritual principles of AA and universal law in all my affairs, activities, and relationships.
The word “surrender” had a subtle tinge of weakness for me at first – but when I examine it through the concept of duality I realize there has to be a quality of strength somewhere in there too. The passive concept of surrender feels like weakness, submission. The strength, however, comes through my conscious intention and decisive action to hand off my problems, fears and limitations to the care of God as I understood It, that great something within (and throughout) …
Anonymity is the foundational core and at the very heart of 12-Step Recovery programs. It’s an A, let’s face it.
I recently attended a powerful meeting and, as usual, learned so much. I have always respected, honored, and considered sacred other people’s anonymity. However I was told early in my own sobriety that I could personally choose to be anonymous or not.
From early childhood, I always had faith that there was something greater than me out there. I just never realized I was connected to it. The key phrase was “out there.” I was very much “in here”, in my head, intellectualizing, affirming and demonstrating separation. Growing up in a home with slightly more than zero teaching or affiliation with religion, God, or spirituality, I developed a sarcastic and suspicious view of it all, despite the fact that I truly sensed it was real. However, without personal access, I resented it and I resented others who seemed to easily be part of it.
A few months ago, on the evening of my 4th AA birthday, after a day filled with speaking gratitude and appreciation for my sobriety among other things with like-minded people, I sat at a bar in a hotel restaurant to eat dinner. Alone, but not because I orchestrated being alone like I used to in my old drinking days. Alone because it just worked out that way.