Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions

I remember when I first encountered the twelve steps, (e.g. ‘became willing to make amends’), I thought that it didn’t apply to me because I didn’t use alcohol.

*insert pithy saying here, then transition* Recommended.

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The Twelve Steps are great, and are obviously the foundation of much derivative literature. The Twelve Traditions I was expecting to be less useful since I’m not actually an A.A., but I was wrong. They’re really great. We could all use some more humility and step-work in group affairs.

This discusses, in detail & order, the 12 steps that a recovering alcoholic/addict must take in order to get their act together. The reasoning behind the steps & traditions are explained. Well worth reading if you are part of any 12 step program. Anyone who isn't would probably be better off devoting their time to the Big Book.

This is a very useful book for anyone in AA. This is not a book on how to sober up. But it is a guide on how to get along, with yourself and with others in your group. Sobering up is roughly akin to re-socializing yourself and learning to play well with others. This book helps.

the "anonymous" writer of this book is bill wilson, a cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous. In the early years (1935-1945) groups had many "rules," which kept some people out. The traditions are a set of spiritual principles for the Groups, as the Steps are a set of such for the individual. These are much more well written essays than the "Big Book," but then, they deal with a more narrowly defined subject.

I use with my AA group every week. This is the 5th or 6th copy of this book that I have owned. New people come into our Group and ask about buying a copy. And I give them mine. This is good for me, because it means I start underlining a new copy. Which means that I often underline new sentences.
"When we are honest with another person, it confirms that we have been honest with ourselves and with God." page 60

"It is a spiritual axiom that every time we are disturbed, no matter what the cause, there is something wrong with us. If somebody hurts us and we are sore, we are in the wrong also." Page 90

"Here we experience the kind of giving that asks no rewards." Page 106

"We saw that we would need to give constantly of ourselves without demands show more of repayment." page 116

"For it is only by accepting and solving our problems that we can began to get right with ourselves and with the world about us, and with Him who presides over us all." page 125 show less

Explains the Heart and Soul of the 12 Step Recovery Program. It is beleived to have been primarly written by Bill W. and it is his understanding of what the 12 Steps are and the importance of the 12 Traditions.

Addiction