SESSION 18
Listen to Joe Hawk's twelfth tape.
The twelfth step - "Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs."
Trust God, clean house, help others.
Dr. Bob succinctly summarized AA's suggested program of recovery in these six words. The first eleven Steps are about trusting God and doing our personal housecleaning. The spiritual awakening promised in Step 12 comes as the direct result of doing the work prescribed in the previous eleven Steps. One of the names the founders considered for the fellowship was "The James Club," after St. James, who penned the Bible's famous words, "Faith without works is dead." What I think is not very important; what I feel is not very important, what I believe (except for at least a willingness to believe in a Higher Power), is not very important - what I do, however, is critical. The Steps are all about action - including Step 12. I cannot think my way out of my insane thinking. Miraculously, the founders discovered that I can act my way into a new way of thinking.
Spiritual Awakening
Our ego ceases to eclipse the Higher Power within us, and we become capable of expressing outgoing love - caritas, or caring for others. What we get in return is the joy of living that is the underlying theme of Step 12. I came to AA to live, not to die or be miserable. Not only is our drinking problem solved, our personal relationships blossom and we no longer fight anyone or anything.
Carry the message to alcoholics.
We have to give it away in order to keep it. We have nothing to give away, however, unless we have experienced the spiritual awakening that comes from doing the work outlined in Steps 1 through 11. Nothing imparts immunity from drinking as much as intensive work with other alcoholics. Bring others through the work one on one or start a working Step group. 12th Step work comes in many forms. We must begin where the prospect is in his/her journey.
Practice these principles in all our affairs.
AA gives us a plan for living that really works - in all areas of our lives. Honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness, reliance on a Power greater than ourselves, personal inventory and sharing same, prayer, meditation - tools that work on all of our problems. The quality of our personal relationships is the bellwether of our spiritual fitness.