The spiritual life is not a theory we have to live it...

[to_thine_own_self_be_true]

Hey guys I just wanted to bring up the quote by Herbert Spencer in the BB of AA where Spiritual Experience is brought up in the back of the book. I just thought this would be great for discussion.

"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance -- that principle is contempt prior to investigation."

-- Herbert Spencer

[dalin]

Awesome quote that helps me stay centered.
Thanks

[to_thine_own_self_be_true]

For me, I remember how sick I was. I knew nothing about the steps but I hated them. It's that biased against something when not even knowing anything about it. And until I saw how rediculous my perspective was there was no hope. When I put down that hatred towards everything and decided to give the steps a chance my life finally changed.

[dalin]

Cool

[Chaz]

I've been there too. Pre-judged so much in life... yet thought I was gracious and open-minded. A good dose of pain helped open my eyes....prolonged, expensive, unmanageable, life-shaking pain. I never would have known it would serve such a purpose. Yet it finally opened my eyes and ears up to hearing what I needed most.

Thanks for the thread.

Chaz

[mellotripp]

A fellowmember that was respected very much aound the clubhouse told me to read that part of the book and said,"How do you know you are not going to like the change if you don't change". This after I told him that I just wanted to quit drinking and didn't need the program of recovery. Of course I was very new at the time. Much later, about 20 years to be exact, I realized that I was going to have to change if I was going to quit drinking and stay quit.

[to_thine_own_self_be_true]

Nice insight guys I like it.

[to_thine_own_self_be_true]

And no darlin...thank you. My first sponsor always used to respond after I thanked him..."No, thank you". I later understood what he meant and it was that a sponsee helps a sponsor more than a sponsor helps a sponsee. I always liked that.

[Doraine]

When I was completely fed up with myself and my drinking, when I thought there was no hope I prayed. My prayer was answered the next morning when I knew with certainty that I couldn't drink anymore. So now I pray every morning and night. My answered prayer made me a believer.

[to_thine_own_self_be_true]

Wow that was well put.