Spiritual Growth

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SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Having had a Spiritual Awakening or Spiritual Experience as is evidenced
by an Entire Psychic Change as the result of taking the first nine Steps, we
are now to begin our Spiritual Growth. Spiritual Growth is dependent upon
our application of Steps Ten, Eleven and carried out in Step Twelve. Quite
often, we hear some one say, "This Program is a journey without a
destination", but the Big Book indicates that there is, indeed, a
destination when it reads, "We have entered the World of the Spirit" (AA,
pg. 84). We are further told that "we are to grow in understanding and
effectiveness" (AA, pg. 84). That is precisely the purpose of Steps Ten,
Eleven and Twelve; to grow in understanding that we do, in fact, have a
Solution to all our problems and effectiveness in learning how to apply the
Twelve Steps to whatever might appear to be a problem.
As we study the clear-cut directions for taking Step Ten on page 84 of
the Big Book, we are told when to take it, how to take it, what the results
will be and a reminder as to why we must take the Steps as they were given to us.
So the first question is, "When do I begin to take Step Ten?" The answer to
that is, "We commenced this way of living as we cleaned up the past." We
cleaned up the past in Step Nine, so as soon as we begin the process of
making amends is the time we begin taking personal inventory. We initiate
the practice of watching for our mistakes and wrongs. What are they? They
are exactly the same ones we found in Steps Four and Five. They are the
manifestations of our selfishness & self-centeredness. And we are told we
must take this personal inventory for the rest of our lives, if we want to
truly enjoy life.
How specifically do we take Step Ten? "Continue to watch for
selfishness, dishonest, resentment and fear." (Step Four). "When these crop
up, we ask God at once to remove them." (Steps Six & Seven). "We discuss them with
someone immediately." (Step Five). "We make amends quickly." (Steps Eight &
Nine). Then there is one more thing to do and that is to, "resolutely turn
our thoughts to someone we can help." (Step Twelve). So, we take Step Ten
by taking Steps, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and Twelve moment by
moment, day by day. Notice how very precise the directions are. When do we
take Step Ten? Any time we are disturbed is the time to act "at once",
"immediately" and "quickly", recognizing that our selfishness and
self-centeredness are again displaying themselves. We must constantly
remember that when we took Step Three, we gave up our right to ever have our
way again as long as we live. We are now to learn to do God's Will; not
ours.
So Step Ten is the beginning of our Spiritual Growth. It is the
beginning of becoming a selfless person, learning to be a loving and giving
person. That is the first Promise of Step Ten; love and tolerance of others is our
code. This Step is necessary for continued forgiveness that is required to
make our amends.
With Step Ten, we begin to be a peace with the people about us. We
commence to understand that the quality of our life does not depend on what
people think of us. We begin to understand that the quality of our life depends on
how we feel about the people God has put in our lives. As long as we can
look at everyone with love and tolerance, we are not disturbed. We are at
peace so now we can begin to practice the next Step. Step Eleven suggest we
seek through prayer (talking to God) and meditation (learning to listen to
God) a greater conscious contact with our Heavenly Father, as we understand
Him. Probably the most effective set of clear-cut directions for doing this
will be found on pages 86, 87 & 88 of the Big Book. It was pointed out to
me that God gave us two ears and one mouth. A God given clue as to how much
I should talk (pray) and how much I should listen (meditate). That seems to
improve our communication with Him. Too, He has more answers than we have
questions.
Why is it so necessary to pray only for the knowledge of His will for us
and the power to carry it out? Well, remember that we came to Alcoholics
Anonymous because of our powerlessness, so we need to avail ourselves of His
Power. And in Steps Three and Seven, we made Him aware that He is now
responsible for the way we think, the way we feel and the way we act. Since
He is now our Boss and we have promised to do His will always, it becomes
vital that we check in with Him at the beginning of our day, throughout our
day and again at bedtime seeking only the knowledge of He wants us to do and
what we need to get the job done as He would have us.
The first set of directions, on page 86, show us how we can initiate the
process of meditation by carefully reviewing our day and answering some very
specific questions as we are ready to retire at night. Each question,
carefully considered and answered honestly can be an exercise in meditation.
There exists some confusion within our Fellowship as to the difference
between Step Ten and bedtime portion of Step Eleven. Step Ten is to be
practiced all day, every day and it also should involve another person, such
as our sponsor. The part of Step Eleven we are examining at this point is
just between us and our Creator. There should be nothing to distract us at
bedtime so we can review how well we applied Steps Ten and Twelve in the
quiet of our bedroom and in the presence only of Him. After meditating on
our day, we pray that we be given what we need to do better tomorrow.
The next set of directions on page 86 has to do with getting ready to
begin our new day. It directs us to begin our meditation and prayer "on
awakening", not at some later time in the day. Here, we are instructed on
meditation, then prayer, then meditation. We will also find some Promises
on pages 86 & 87 resulting from these exercises.
As we are ready to finish our visit with Him in the morning, it is
suggested that we close with a prayer that we be given what we need to live
the day ahead as He would have us. Bill W. liked to pray Saint Francis's Prayer as
do many of us. That Prayer is printed in Step Eleven in the "Twelve Steps
and Twelve Traditions"
We have been given directions for arising and retiring but what about
all that time in between? The last paragraph on page 87 gives us simple
directions on how to deal with those things about which we are in doubt or
that upset us. And with that simple set of suggestions are some neat
Promises, but now we must go to work and the directions for doing that are
in Step Twelve.
Step Twelve begins with a Promise, "Having had a spiritual awakening as
the result of these Steps," we are then told how we are to use the time God
has seen fit to give us. Remembering that we are alive and sober only because
of His grace and mercy, we are truly indebted to Him. We must always
remember that He is a God of grace and mercy and not a God of justice; thank
God!!!. Our first responsibility is to "try to carry this message to
alcoholics". That seems pretty simple but sometimes some of us are not too
clear as to what that message is that we are charged to try to carry to
alcoholics. It is very simply, "Having had a spiritual awakening as the
result of these steps". That is the only message we are told we must try to
carry but, of course, if we haven't taken the Steps and had a spiritual
awakening, we don't have "this" message to pass on to the alcoholic who
still suffers.
We are told that spiritual growth is the result of our intensive work
with other alcoholics. (AA, pg. 89) Or, as Bill reported, "For if an
alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and
self-sacrifice for others, he could not survive the certain trials and low
spots ahead." (AA, pg. 14 & 15) And, "It is easy to let up on our spiritual
program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we
do." (AA, pg. 85)
We are also told that alcoholics are not the only ones we are to be
thoughtful of and should try to help. "Our real purpose {in taking and
applying these Steps to our daily lives}is to fit ourselves to be of maximum
service to God and the people about us". (AA, pg. 77) Everyone? Yes,
everyone; "We feel that elimination of drinking is but a beginning. A much
more important demonstration of our principles {Twelve Steps} lies before us
in our respective home, occupations and affairs." (AA, pg. 19) Who or what
does that leave out?
So there it is. Take the Steps, receive God's Power and try to pass it
on to the other people that He put in our lives. "We have recovered, and
have been GIVEN THE POWER TO HELP OTHERS" (AA, pg. 132) What a wonderful
opportunity we have been given! But we can only keep His POWER as long as
we try to give it away.
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THE PROCESS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH


Step 1: Willingness to change (admitting defeat, denying ourselves, getting willingness)
Step 2: Believe we can change (believing)
Step 3: Decision to change (deciding, surrendering our will)
Step 4: Inventory to change (examining ourselves, seeking the truth)
Step 5: Actions to change
(sharing, asking for feedback, seeking the truth)
Step 6: Actions to change
(getting willingness, changing)
Step 7: Actions to change
(getting humility, changing)
Step 8: Actions to change
(living with others)
Step 9: Actions to change
(living with others, taking responsibility)
Step 10: Actions to change
(continuing to grow, continuing to examine ourselves)
Step 11: Actions to change
(continuing to grow, refining our spiritual growth)
Step 12: Changed (continuing to grow through giving to others)
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