Member: L-RAY
Location: SCOTLAND
Date: 04 May 2003
Time: 12:45:46
Each day i put aside time to be alone and pray, and ask god to guide me on my daily routine and accept what he has in store for me< when i let my will loose it becomes a mine field of emotions , sometimes its hard for this guys ego but most days when i hand it over it goes ok. when i took self out of my thinking it became easier, REGARDS L-RAY
Member: L-RAY
Location: SCOTLAND
Date: 04 May 2003
Time: 13:32:09
Each morning i ask good through prayer to make my day a good one! and tell him i am willing to do what it takes if its his will for me! my self will yoused to run riot in my life and i soon found out that my will didnt work and i had to ask god to help and he did, so this ego was put in place it dosnt work all the time but most days are better when god runs things, Regards L-RAY
Member: L-RAY
Location: SCOTLAND
Date: 04 May 2003
Time: 14:41:28
sORRY FOR THE DOUBLE DIP RAY
Member: Teresa B.
Location: Elkhart IN USA
Date: 04 May 2003
Time: 23:16:38
This is a good topic for me. Have been in the program for some 24 hours, but I have a tendency to be a major complicator. Prayers have been simplified greatly. Now onto meditation. Would appreciate any and all insights on how my fellow AA's do non-complicated meditation.
Member: Larry M.
Location: Texas, USA
Date: 05 May 2003
Time: 02:56:49
Hi, I'm Larry and I'm an alcoholic, sober today by the grace of God and the miracle of Alcoholics Anonymous. Step 11 was a problem for me as I was agnostic. (As our literature about half of us had similar problems) In looking back over the years, faith in a higher power that I choose to call God, began with trust in AA people and in particular a sponsor, who was trustworthy, and always encouraged me to let Go and let God, so to speak. One time he told me that learning to trust God was like learning to float in water, as soon as we quit struggling, we succeed. Faith began when I could no longer explain all the "coincidences" that began to happen when I began to "Act as if there was a God" For years I'd always "Acted as if there was no God" (My workable definition of Agnosticism) Helpful techniques are provided in both the Big Book of AA pages 85 through 88 and in Step 11 in our Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions" But generally I've found that the greatest strides have alway followed the ACTION in all the steps, consistent meetings of AA, Actively working with others, and of Course Staying sober, first and foremost. I do believe that each of us finds our own way though our involvement with others in this wonderful fellowship. When it was suggested by professionals that I needed AA to stay sober, I scoffed, but as they say, I remained to Pray and became a believer. There is, as we say great freedom in AA to believe in God, as We understand him, not as we had perhaps been told as children necessarily. I helps us to remember that the sequence in AA is usually like this 1. We come 2. We come TO 3. We come to BELIEVE. Many of us look back and realize that we started to attend meetings and it took some time to just WAKE UP and then Come to Believe. It seems We get so far in trying to explain these these things to others and finally must say. If you do believe, no explanation is necessary, if you don't believe, no explanation is adequate. One of my favorite sayings is the way it often happens in AA. "I sought my soul, my soul I could not see. I sought my God and He eluded Me. I sought my brother (fellow alcoholic) and I found all three. Thanks for allowing me to share with you for it allows me to continue in recovery, a life long joy of discovery.
Member: Rich P
Location: Colorado
Date: 05 May 2003
Time: 17:21:59
((Teresa B)) I have to stretch everyday as part of my physical therapy (car accident) so I integrated meditation into it. I repeat the mantra, "Let go, let God" over and over while extending and holding a stretch. I don't know yoga, but I think this is in that ballpark. After a few months my physical therapist said the improvement was remarkable and she wanted to know what I had done, as she felt many people could benefit from my program. While I agreed with her I just smiled and said, "I let go". Another thing I do before I go to bed, I ask God a question or just pose a question to the universe and then sit Indian style with my eyes closed and try to be completely still and listen. Being completely still is easy, stopping the thoughts from racing is difficult. Sometimes I envision white. Just white. No form, no shades, just white. Believe or not that takes concentration for me! In the process I slow down enough to perhaps hear GOD speak to me. I don't hear words, I just get a feeling sometimes like I am on track, loved and cared for. Hope some of this is useful to you and not too complicated. Peace
Member: Lenny L
Location: Pittsburgh Pa. U.S.A.
Date: 05 May 2003
Time: 17:41:48
God is a loving father that wants us to have a relationship with him. Not only in the morning but when anything crosses your mind. Sometimes when there is nothing going on and you are alone, this is a good time for the relationship. If you ask him he will answer you. But when he answers believe that it is just that, an answer. But for his grace I am sober today.
Member: Craig L (Dogmanor@yahoo.com)
Location: Aloha, Oregon
Date: 06 May 2003
Time: 11:35:12
This step was incomprehensible to me when I was an active alcoholic. My God was alcohol or rather the illusion of well being it brought me early on. As time passed I found no peace in alcohol, only anxiety and pain. Today I have no energy left to spend on fear. All during the day, I "check in", how am I feeling? Am I happy, joyous and free? If not specifically why? It is in my misperception of the little details of life, where anxiety and fear dwell. My twisted thinking wants to generalize and make things bigger and more dramatic than they usually are. What I found is there is usually a step I have dragged my feet over, especially step 10 and 6. For the new comer I doubt I would have enough Peace for this step had I not practiced 1-9 first.
Member: Hamish
Location: Sydney, Australia
Date: 06 May 2003
Time: 14:10:33
I say the serenity prayer everymorning and also the 3rd step prayer. I always ask GOD to make me a channel of his peace. I always use the words "May I do your will always". It's difficult to move to a trusting and knowing but slowly I'm getting there. At night I also get on my hands and knees and thank God for keeping me sober today. I need to often remind myself KEEP IT SIMPLE and LET GO LET GOD. Anyway, I'm making progress and the last bad day I ever had was the last day I had a drink. One day at a time don't pick up the first drink and keep going to meetings. I just needed to write that! - these are the things that have saved my life - I'm very grateful to AA. The people that make it in this programme do two things. One, they are meetings people AND secondly they get a higher power in their life. Hugs and love to all. Hamish:)
Member: Cynthia H.
Location: Texas
Date: 06 May 2003
Time: 22:02:43
Cynthia,Iam an acholic I still remember in one of the early meetings I went to when how it works was read and it dawned on me, as it says God could and would if he were sought. To me that is the whole point of step 11 All I have to do is seek and He will find me,which is exactly what has happened.I seek God by taking the next right action whether I feel like it or not (even prayer)To Teresa B. Ihave been around a few 24hrs. and i'm still not sure how to do meditation, But it says in the other big book Be Still And Know That I Am God. Well I don't know about any of you but one of the hardest things this alcoholic did in early recovery was be still especialy in my head, so meditation for me was just learning to be still and quite my mind and try to think on good things. Pratice makes perfect so 13 years later i'm still practing being still and it's better than it's ever been for me.After all the point of step 11 is to improve my concious contact with my Higher Power. I have enjoyed this meeting and all of you people it has given me just the new boost in recovery,so glad to see real recovery. Thanks, hope you all have a good week.
Member: L.W.R
Location: canada....
Date: 06 May 2003
Time: 22:46:13
sought through prayer and expectation to become confused about this step...... he he thanx for puttin up with me... lol
Member: Babette R
Location: Israel
Date: 07 May 2003
Time: 08:27:15
I found a book called "The Artist''s Way" written by a recovering alcoholic who encourages you to write morning pages--3 pages each morning as soon as you get up. It's sometimes hard for me to do, but it clears my mind and gets all the petty stuff out and let in the good (God) She says it is communication with God and a form of meditation. It's not for everybody but it works for me. I feel calmer and ready to face my day and feel God in my life. On days I don't do it I feel like I'm missing something and feel "off". I always had trouble sitting quietly and meditating (II'm hyper) so this is a good solution. Thanks. Babette
Member: AnilG
Location: Mt Vernon,IL
Date: 07 May 2003
Time: 08:27:52
I am an alcoholic sought through prayers and expectation my concience contact with GOD was not easy when i started in the program 5 yrs ago it is still hard. I go to church every sunday but my mind still wonders around it is not in concience contact with GOD but whatelse to do atleast I will continue to make an effort to be spritual practice spirituality and follow the will of GOD. I was athesist prior to starting my recovery now i have accepted that GOD and HP does exist. thanks to aa and alanon.
Member: Joe P
Location: Chicago
Date: 07 May 2003
Time: 09:34:24
My name is Joe, and I am an alcoholic. Step 11 - Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. Lots of words, but the step itself contains a lot of the instruction. ãBe a seekerä. What to seek ö To improve our conscious contact with God. Whatever God (Higher Power) each of us chooses is okay, thus the disclaimer, ãas we understood Himä. By this point, I had begun to establish some kind of a conscious contact. I was asking God to not let me drink each morning, and saying the Third and Seventh Step prayers. I was having a quiet time each morning (10-15 minutes of trying to clear as much conscious thought from my mind as possible). Now to continue and improve on these activities. How to seek ö Practice prayer and meditation. I was told prayer is a simple request or conversation with God, meditation is a quiet listening for Godâs response. The power of prayer is the practice of prayer. What to pray for ö Pray for knowledge of Godâs will and the power to carry that out. Knowing the right thing is not enough; I need to ask for Godâs help in acting accordingly. When vexed by circumstances, I try to take a moment to ask God for guidance and the willingness to act properly. ãLord, make me useful to You and my fellow human beings. Let me speak Your words and act in Your service.ä Thanks for all of the comments.
Member: Rosemary B.
Location: Gainesville
Date: 09 May 2003
Time: 13:39:01
Hello everyone. You all have helped me so much! Thanks! I have a lot of toruble witht he 11th step because i have soooooo much trouble "quieting the disturbance" in my mind. I am a highly anxious person and it is very difficult for me to be quiet and calm in order to hear God's message. I really liked what Babette had to share about writing three pages every morning. I think I may try that. In the past few weeks I have had several anxiety attacks over the past few weeks and prayer has helped me soooo much. Let God and Let God. Slowly, I am grasping this concept. Thank God for AA and thank God for another 24 hours sober!
Member: p. 60 of the Big Book
Location:
Date: 09 May 2003
Time: 14:10:55
Knowledge of the will of 'GOD', power to carry out the will of 'GOD' is based on the major humble spiritual premise 'no human ego' is the genuis director of the garden of Eden.
Member: d-flat
Location: ND
Date: 09 May 2003
Time: 22:55:15
Dean alcoholic, I did spend alot of time praying for things for myself, asking God if he would get me out of one jam aftre another or wanting somthing that was so hard for me to geton my own, that was before I learned I was an alcohlic and i was doomed if i continued on as i was going.it was a downward slide that i couldnt get off on my own. my best thinking ended me up in jail, then I called the only guy I knew that was sober. he helped me through the steps and when we got to the fourth step we got down on our knees and said the prayer, from that moment on my life has changed 9 1/2 yrs ago .today I was in the bars twice, one was for a fellow worker whose son has a brain tumer and there was a benifit for him and the other was for my sis inlaws 40th bday. plenty of booze to go around. somtimes I struggle with going to places that are social not that I feel i will drink but just doing the socail thing, it was good though was able to show support for my coworker and say happy bday to my sis inlaw, I like what it says in the big book on pge 100-101 about getting out there in life and going to partys even if its a whoopee party, if i have good reason to be there, and i did, and as I was leaving both places I had that feeling of gratitude and close to my higher power. prayer and meditation is powerfull and im seeing today how God speaks to me through circumstances. thanks for letting me share
Member: Cindi P.
Location: Wisconsin
Date: 10 May 2003
Time: 12:21:57
Cindi P., Alcoholic - My first attempt at meditation included really listening to what others had to say at meetings instead of planning what I was going to say. Sponsor directed to answer questions on paper that are in the 11th step in the BB. That works too. I do not have a daily meditation practice. Moments of quiet come often. Going to meetings often is the type of meditation I use nmost often.
Member: Kathy F.
Location: Texas
Date: 10 May 2003
Time: 14:25:18
I try to at least say "help" and "thank you" and read something spiritual everyday.
Member: Gene C.
Location: East Providence, RI
Date: 10 May 2003
Time: 14:44:01
I have to meditate everyday for at least an hour to be fulled with God's spirit or the mental restlessness comes in and I then start to run on self-will and become mentally drunk or "dry drunk". Shortly thereafter I start to have problems with people, places and things when in fact theirs always sometimes wrong with me and that something is always my spirit. When the spiritual malady is overcome I straighten out mentally and pshically. If I meditate on a regurar basis I receive love, peace, harmony, forgiveness, abundance, equnimity rather then the mental restlessness. Coming soon from Twelve and Twelve Publications Inc. Twelve and Twelve Dictionary Twelve and Twelve Study Guide Twelve and Twelve Daily Journal Twelve and Twelve Concordance In about 2 months www.twelveandtwelve.com Peace be with yous all
Member: John L
Location: St Louis MO.
Date: 11 May 2003
Time: 00:48:36
Hi everyone Im John and i am an alcoholic. I have gotten in the habbit of getting up one hour early to do a little reading in my daily meditations books, and talk to my HP, And mentally walk through my day. In my early days, i would just hit my knees morning and night, but as i grew in my recovery, i enjoyed or i guess needed a little more. I'm now up at 4am, and acually could use the extra hour, but that 1/2 hour-45 minutes seems to pay off,because there has been days that i've missed and i could definently tell. feels kind of like if you miss a few meets. In the begining, i was told to change everything, and i use to get up late for work, or close to it, and can remember running around with my head pounding, trying to think straight, find my bottle and car keys and rush out the door trying to think of an excuse to save my job. I ask my HP to remind me how weak i am, and to guide me in my decision making.At night i reflect on my tenth step and take inventory of my actions throughout the day.And then there's thanks to my HP, and of course, prayers for those who still suffer, in or outside of the program. In total thats about one hour out of my day for self maintaince [not counting the one to twenty ocational serenety prayers lol ] anyway, life was good today as i hope it was for you all! ((Wishing all the mothers out there a beautiful mothers day,...hope you can take the day and do as you please, you deserve it!)) hugs ,JOHN L