My sober date is February 21st as well! (2019) Incorporating the dharma into the steps has revolutionized so much of my life. My practice has deepened, as has my sobriety
Mar 7·edited Mar 7Liked by Taishin Michael Augustin
Thank you for sharing this, Taishin. Happy sober anniversary!
Your reframing of the Promises feels right to me. The use of God in AA literature pricks things in me & many others as does the role of the individual & their own volition. Like you, I did "suddenly realize that [a Power greater than myself] iwas doing for us what we could not do [only by] myself." But to call it God in the way that Dr. Bob does in "Dr. Bob's nightmare" is not my experience. Sometimes when I read those passages, I get irked. The program would tell me that my response to this is my business and the program is what it is. I suppose it is. I am the master of my response...if I am. Today, I think what Dr. Bob thinks of me & my relationship with God is kind of none of my business. If he feels sorry for me (which he says he is), then he is welcome to that opinion (in his death). It is up to me to orient myself to the Creation to be present, curious, kind, & loving of this world & its denizens.
Like you, I would not be here without the 12 steps. Today, I feel my relationship changing to that program & am grateful for you showing me other paths to walk that help me grow.
Thank you for the kind word and for sharing your own perspective on A.A. and its language.
When I started writing about the Twelve Steps, I was concerned about how to treat the “God language.” It does not fit into the program as I work it. I did my best to both respect what was passed down to me while present my own view in a genuine way.
As I continue to write, God and language about Him has largely dropped away. (It concerns me less, too.) When I rewrote Step Five and quietly rewrote Step Six, those were eye-opening moments too.
Anyway, I look forward to where this process will lead and the prospect of writing a piece or two looking back when it’s all done.
The Big Book has an interesting connection to American religious history. One of the people who helped it launch was the religious editor at Harper Publishing, Eugene Exman. Learned this when reading Stephen Prothero’s “God, The Best Seller”, which I highly recommend.
Oh wow!!! Great story!! Isn’t it amazing to reflect on the early days and see the mechanics of spiriruality and more importantly: connections!! Your story just confirms it even more. Thanks for sharing and congratulations!!! That’s awesome man!! 💪🙏
My sober date is February 21st as well! (2019) Incorporating the dharma into the steps has revolutionized so much of my life. My practice has deepened, as has my sobriety
Celebrating you and the path of living in awareness!
Thank you very much, Maia!
Thank you for sharing this, Taishin. Happy sober anniversary!
Your reframing of the Promises feels right to me. The use of God in AA literature pricks things in me & many others as does the role of the individual & their own volition. Like you, I did "suddenly realize that [a Power greater than myself] iwas doing for us what we could not do [only by] myself." But to call it God in the way that Dr. Bob does in "Dr. Bob's nightmare" is not my experience. Sometimes when I read those passages, I get irked. The program would tell me that my response to this is my business and the program is what it is. I suppose it is. I am the master of my response...if I am. Today, I think what Dr. Bob thinks of me & my relationship with God is kind of none of my business. If he feels sorry for me (which he says he is), then he is welcome to that opinion (in his death). It is up to me to orient myself to the Creation to be present, curious, kind, & loving of this world & its denizens.
Like you, I would not be here without the 12 steps. Today, I feel my relationship changing to that program & am grateful for you showing me other paths to walk that help me grow.
Thank you for the kind word and for sharing your own perspective on A.A. and its language.
When I started writing about the Twelve Steps, I was concerned about how to treat the “God language.” It does not fit into the program as I work it. I did my best to both respect what was passed down to me while present my own view in a genuine way.
As I continue to write, God and language about Him has largely dropped away. (It concerns me less, too.) When I rewrote Step Five and quietly rewrote Step Six, those were eye-opening moments too.
Anyway, I look forward to where this process will lead and the prospect of writing a piece or two looking back when it’s all done.
Thank you for reading. 🙏
Happy SoBerthday! 🫶🏽
Thank you! 🙏
Congratulations on your anniversary!
The Big Book has an interesting connection to American religious history. One of the people who helped it launch was the religious editor at Harper Publishing, Eugene Exman. Learned this when reading Stephen Prothero’s “God, The Best Seller”, which I highly recommend.
Thank you, Andy! I'll add the book to my ever-growing reading list. 🙏
Happy Sobriety Birthday! And what a beautiful story.
Thank you! 🙏
Oh wow!!! Great story!! Isn’t it amazing to reflect on the early days and see the mechanics of spiriruality and more importantly: connections!! Your story just confirms it even more. Thanks for sharing and congratulations!!! That’s awesome man!! 💪🙏
Thank you! 🙏
Beautiful story. Thanks for sharing and congratulations!
Thank you for reading!