I went for the spiritual side quite early on .... but not christian(/abrahamist) but more obscure religion. The only advice I've heard about is to not go it alone... I've made initial contact with a local group but I'm not sure their exact leanings.. (The reply started with a lets meet and have a beer, plus some of the groups appear to be far right.
I suppose I'm asking is anyone aware of any AA groups online that I could speak to beforehand?? I'm heathen/asaturu about to go through step 6 and I know it's balance not remove defects.
Hi Jorvick, It may help you to say what kind of group you are looking for. " I've heard about is to not go it alone... I've made initial contact with a local group but I'm not sure their exact leanings.. (The reply started with a lets meet and have a beer, plus some of the groups appear to be far right. " I am not sure what you are looking for. Welcome !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Toad
The only AA related group I could find was Pagans in Recovery.... I don't want to join them as it's not AA but they may be answer some questions about heathen religions.
Just seem a bit stuck who to ask.... the only people with similar views is female (and yes I fancy the pants off her).
Well as you probably know, AA is a Spirtual Program, not a Religious Organization at all, but I do know for sure that many belong to and Practice in a Church of their cholce.....so possible some might respond with their own experience with their Church, that is what you are looking for, right......
Anyway, WELCOME and I sure hope you get a response from others that will understand a little better what it is you are searching for....
Hope you stay here, you just might love the board....
By the way, I also have my own beliefs that yuu might say fit into some sort of "Religous Beliefs" but I keep them very private, always have and always will.
Welcome! the beauty of our second step is you are free to choose your own concept of what your Higher Power is. I am presuming you are looking to not drink? We are a spiritual not religious program and anyone is free to join us regardless of religion or lack of religion...Welcome.....Just for Today,you don't have to drink!!!!Honesty ,openmindedness and willingness to remain sober by working our solution,the spiritual principles of our steps, and traditions ,and giving back what we are so freely given through meetings,service and 12th step work keeps this alcoholic free from active addiction a day at a time!! Have you read "We Agnostics in the Big Book"(pg 44-57 in 3rd Edition)?Glad you found us, stick around.....:)
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
Hi again Jorvick, So you desire to use AA recovery suggestions. GREAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I looked up asaturu online to see if I knew of any direction I could point you. I personally do not have a lead for you in a specific direction. I do know the AA program is an open avenue for recovery from Alcoholism. It is inclusive. Keep looking with your open mind. Toad
Aloha Jorvick...althought I had a "religious" upbringing when I got into recovery I had by that time lost faith in everything and wasn't at all convinced that any 12 step program could help. I wasn't even sure what the problem was. One of the many gut courageous things I did was fall on the slogan "Act as if"...act as if there was a power greater than myself...up there, over there, under there, where ever and so I acted as if the fellowship wasn't all crazy and liars and that I could call on who and what they believed in. I didn't use the name God or anything else at that time and just went from the "core" of me or the "heart" of me and asked for help. I then acted as if I would be attended to like the fellowship was seeming to be and I was. Today my Higher Power is ancient...very ancient and I am learning more all the time that even other cultures believe and have acted as if for centuries.
Higher Power may be attempting to reach you presently...bridge the gap and act as if.
There is no conflict, that I can see, between heathenism and AA. Gotta stay away from the mead, that's all
I've been on an alternative path for a few decades now, and haven't run into any problems. I silently stand while prayers are being said, give my honor to something else during that time. It works fine.
My sponsor, now deceased, was Catholic, but she had no problem with it either. As Toni said, this is about spirituality, not organized dogmas. The steps will lend themselves nicely to your belief system, truly. You are welcome to write me PM is you'd be more comfortable, but the group here is very open minded. We are all after the same thing, yes? A clean and sober life and integrity... Be well, wren
Step 6 is not a step where you should be questioning your higher power. If you still have issues with that, go back to step 2. A higher power can be the rooms of aa and the process of recovery. You could become entirely ready to have your defects removed by fully believing and committing to learning, sharing about your defects and your work in meetings and with your sponsor. This isn't rocket science and you don't have to complicate it or go outside your meetings unless that is just something you want to do to be more spiritual (which is always good). When I did step 6, i had to make a plan to become ready to have my defects removed. That included doing certain things that would result in changed behavior. Then in step 7, I humbly asked my HP to help he continue carrying out the actual plan so that the defects would be challenged repeatedly and eventually make way for new behavior. Anyhow, that's just my take on it. You don't need to join any added groups to complete the steps. If you do so, it is because you just want to as part of your spiritual journey.
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
Just a balance/remove/shortcomings type of question. I have gone through a childish strop over the past week and to prove I point I delved into the Little Red Book, only to find the para I was looking for in the 12x12 (step 6).
I keep presuming my sponsor would be closed to other ideas, he's outwardly very BB only but he'd already suggested using 12x12 for 6 & 7.
I have a tendency to over complicate everything and ignore the fact I just simply like more open meetings.
