ASSIGNMENTS - Big Book Workshop

TWELVE STEPS TO SPIRITUAL AWAKENING

www.bigbookworkshop.com

ASSIGNMENTS

ASSIGNMENTS: Twelve Steps to Spiritual Awakening

p2 www.bigbookworkshop.com Revised 7/4/2021

These assignments are designed for a Twelve-Month Workshop using the book “Alcoholics Anonymous”. For more information, visit – www.herbk.com or www.bigbookworkshop.com To those interested in participating in the weekly meetings for twelve months: this is a precise process of understanding and applying each of the Steps to our personal lives to produce a “Spiritual Awakening”.

Table of Contents

Assignment 1 – Orientation to the Workshop................................................................................................ 3 Assignment 2 – Review Step Twelve ............................................................................................................ 4 Assignment 3 – Review Step Eleven ............................................................................................................ 5 Assignment 4 – Review Step Ten ................................................................................................................. 6 Assignment 5 – Sponsorship/Step-Guide and Autobiography ...................................................................... 7 Assignment 6 – Step One: What is wrong with my Body? ............................................................................ 8 Assignment 7 – Step One: What’s wrong with my Mind? ............................................................................. 9 Assignment 8 – Step One: What’s wrong with my Will (power)? ................................................................ 10 Assignments 9 – 33 will be available soon.................................................................................................. 11 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................. 12 Resources – YouTube Summary ................................................................................................................ 14 Spiritual Arch w/Keystone ........................................................................................................................... 15 Compiled List of 12 Step Prayers ................................................................................................................ 16

Jo B. began her personal Twelve Step recovery journey in 1995. She was introduced to Herb K’s workshops in 2007 and became passionate about making the teaching material available to a wider audience. Over the next 13+ years, Jo and Herb have continued to work together developing material to help carry the message of recovery using the Big Book of Alcoholic Anonymous. Based on her own transformative experience she began guiding others through the Steps, one on one at first, then in small groups. In 2020, as COVID affected the world, and recovery meetings moved online, Jo felt moved to share what she had learnt through an online workshop. Her first workshop started in 2020.

Jo B is not a licensed professional of any type. She is not an authority on the book “Alcoholics Anonymous”, Psychology, or Spirituality. She is a volunteer, and her only hope is to share her experience and to help others. In facilitating this workshop Jo hopes to create a community, from around the world, trudging the Path together one day at a time. Come join us on the Broad Highway.

ASSIGNMENTS: Twelve Steps to Spiritual Awakening

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Assignment 1 – Orientation to the Workshop As part of the discernment concerning your participation in this year long, weekly workshop, please:–

1. Obtain a new Alcoholics Anonymous book, Fourth Edition (unless your current Fourth Edition book has no writing/highlighting: then it’s OK).

2. Create and pray a “Set Aside Prayer”: a. As part of your daily morning prayer and meditation practice, and b. Every time before you begin doing any part of the workshop assignments.

Example of a “Set Aside” Prayer:

God, please set aside everything I think I know about myself, my unmanageability, my spiritual path and You, for an open mind and a new experience of myself,

my unmanageability, my spiritual path and especially You.

3. LISTEN/WATCH:

Unpacking the Big Book - Instructions for Working each step, presented by Herb 2021 - YOU TUBE

Orientation and Assignments SESSION 01 CLICK HERE

Please don’t wait to start. This process will be more beneficial if you, prayerfully and consistently,

do some work every day in between the weekly workshops.

OPTIONAL reading, listening, and/or viewing:

WORKSHOP facilitated by Herb 2020 - with participant shares. This series can be downloaded and saved directly to your device 01 PODCAST CLICK HERE

See the Bibliography and Reference Material at the end of this document for more extended reading/viewing options referred to during this workshop – ENJOY

Overview of 12 Step Process

ASSIGNMENTS: Twelve Steps to Spiritual Awakening

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Assignment 2 – Review Step Twelve Understanding: “Spiritual Experience” and “Spiritual Awakening” – Step Twelve 1. Read Big Book Appendix II, “Spiritual Experience,” pages 567-568. What is it? How

does it differ from a Spiritual Awakening? How is it the same?

2. Over the next four weeks: a. Read and highlight (always highlight when reading, even if not indicated in the

instructions), from the Title page up through page xxiv (up to “The Doctor’s Opinion”) with these questions under consideration. Do not answer them – ASK them.

i. Is this Twelve Step process what I really want to do at this time in my journey?

ii. Why do I want to submit to this process at this time? iii. At this time am I willing to go to any lengths? What does this mean? iv. In what areas of my life am I being dishonest with myself and others?

b. After you finish the reading assignment – take your time – write out your answer to each of the consideration questions – no less than one sentence, no more than one page per question.

3. From the Big Book’s Title page, look up the word “Anonymous” and “Recovered”, write out definitions.

4. LISTEN/WATCH: Unpacking the Big Book - Instructions for Working each step, presented by Herb 2021 - YOU TUBE SESSION 02 CLICK HERE

OPTIONAL reading, listening, and/or viewing:

WORKSHOP facilitated by Herb 2020 - with participant shares 02 PODCAST CLICK HERE

ASSIGNMENTS: Twelve Steps to Spiritual Awakening

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Assignment 3 – Review Step Eleven Understanding: Practice of Meditation 1. Look up “prayer”, “meditation”, and “contemplation” in the dictionary, and perhaps in

more than one dictionary, and write out the definitions.

2. Read and highlight Big Book instructions on Step Eleven Prayer and Meditation - pages 85-88

3. Consider taking an “accountability partner” for 30 days of a “daily meditation practice” – What does that mean to you?.

4. LISTEN/WATCH:

Unpacking the Big Book - Instructions for Working each step, presented by Herb 2021 - YOU TUBE SESSION 03 CLICK HERE

OPTIONAL reading, listening, and/or viewing:

WORKSHOP facilitated by Herb 2020 - with participant shares 03 PODCAST CLICK HERE

Centering Prayer

ASSIGNMENTS: Twelve Steps to Spiritual Awakening

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Assignment 4 – Review Step Ten Understanding: “not cured”; “daily reprieve”; “spot check inventory”

1. Read and highlight the Big Book instructions on Step Ten – pages 84-85.

2. Look up the word “reprieve” in the dictionary, and perhaps in more than one dictionary (“we have a daily reprieve”) and write out the definitions.

3. Consider the terms “not cured” and “spot check inventory” Write out definitions.

4. From the Big Book’s second Title page, look up the word “recovered” and write out a definition.

5. LISTEN/WATCH:

Unpacking the Big Book - Instructions for Working each step, presented by Herb 2021 - YOU TUBE

SESSION 04 CLICK HERE

SESSION 05 CLICK HERE

OPTIONAL reading, listening, and/or viewing:

WORKSHOP facilitated by Herb 2020 - with participant shares

04 PODCAST CLICK HERE

05 PODCAST CLICK HERE

Emotional Sobriety

ASSIGNMENTS: Twelve Steps to Spiritual Awakening

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Assignment 5 – Sponsorship/Step-Guide and Autobiography Understanding: Message; Sponsorship/Step Guide; Principles; Program; Process; Promises = Step Twelve

1. Read page 18 from the Big Book

2. Review WOL2021 “Profile of a Sponsor” (the Our Way of Life document can be downloaded from www.bigbookworkshop.com)

3. Read chapter 12 from the AA 12 and 12 (see bibliography for pdf version)

4. LISTEN/WATCH: Unpacking the Big Book - Instructions for Working each step, presented by Herb 2021 - YOU TUBE SESSION 06 CLICK HERE

WHERE IS MY LIFE UNMANAGEABLE?

5. Autobiography: Consider each decade of your life through the perspective of addiction and “my life was unmanageable" (0-10, 11-20, 21-30 etc). When did you first engage in an addictive substance/behaviour? What was your behaviour? What was the outcome? Was there a pattern? (you will not have to read this to anyone – be as honest as you can) Keep your description brief – only bullet points. Try not to get “hijacked”. See WOL2021 for more details.

OPTIONAL reading, listening, and/or viewing:

WORKSHOP facilitated by Herb 2020 - with participant shares

06 PODCAST CLICK HERE

07 PODCAST CLICK HERE

Sponsorship - Helping Others/Enlarging Compassion - STEP 12

Our Way Of Living - In the Light (Steps Ten, Eleven and Twelve)

ASSIGNMENTS: Twelve Steps to Spiritual Awakening

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Assignment 6 – Step One: What is wrong with my Body? Problem: Allergy; Phenomenon of Craving 1. When reading ask questions:

a. Have I ever lost control, once I start? b. Did I behave like that? c. Has this happened to me? More than once? More than three times?

2. Read and highlight “The Doctor’s Opinion” (xxv-xxxii) in the Big Book Alcoholics Anonymous. Ask yourself the question “What is wrong with my body?”

a. Using a dictionary look up and write out the definitions for: “allergy”, “phenomenon”, “craving”, and “addiction”

b. What does Dr. Silkworth mean by “craving”?

3. Read “Bill’s Story” pages 1-8 only (skip 9-16). Look for identification: how he thought, felt, drank and behaved.

4. Read pages 17 to 23 “There Is a Solution”.

5. Read and highlight Step One in the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.

6. Read page 263 from the 4TH Edition Big Book for the original Oxford Groups’ six steps. (click here)

7. Complete the “Body” worksheet from WOL2021. Remember to focus on the physical reaction that occurs AFTER we engage in the addiction (food, alcohol, control, shopping etc.)

8. LISTEN/WATCH:

Unpacking the Big Book - Instructions for Working each step, presented by Herb 2021 - YOU TUBE

SESSION 07 CLICK HERE

SESSION 08 CLICK HERE

SESSION 09 CLICK HERE

SESSION 10 CLICK HERE

OPTIONAL reading, listening, and/or viewing:

WORKSHOP facilitated by Herb 2020 - with participant shares

08 PODCAST CLICK HERE

09 PODCAST CLICK HERE

10 PODCAST CLICK HERE

11 PODCAST CLICK HERE

ASSIGNMENTS: Twelve Steps to Spiritual Awakening

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Assignment 7 – Step One: What’s wrong with my Mind? Problem: Delusion; Illusion; Obsession; Insanity 1. Using a dictionary look up and write out definitions for: “delusion”, “Illusion“,

“obsession, and “insanity”

2. Refer to the worksheet in the WOL2021 called “The Mind”. Have these questions in mind when reading the material below. Don’t fill out the worksheet yet. Just reflect on the questions. Also consider:–

a. Did I ever stop? b. Have I had any time of abstinence and then relapsed? c. Why can’t I do better when I know better? d. After a period of abstinence, what was I conscious of (thoughts and feelings)

just before I began using again?

3. Read and highlight pages 23 to 43 in the Big Book.

4. The two stories of Jim and Fred are provided to confirm that knowledge of the disease/addiction and self-knowledge are of no avail. How are their experiences the same and also different?

5. Complete the “Mind” worksheet from the WOL2021

6. LISTEN/WATCH:

Unpacking the Big Book - Instructions for Working each step, presented by Herb 2021 - YOU TUBE

SESSION 11 CLICK HERE

SESSION 12 CLICK HERE

SESSION 13 CLICK HERE

OPTIONAL reading, listening, and/or viewing:

WORKSHOP facilitated by Herb 2020 - with participant shares

12 PODCAST CLICK HERE

13 PODCAST CLICK HERE

14 PODCAST CLICK HERE

15 PODCAST CLICK HERE

16 PODCAST CLICK HERE

ASSIGNMENTS: Twelve Steps to Spiritual Awakening

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Assignment 8 – Step One: What’s wrong with my Will (power)? Problem: Unmanageable; Wilfulness; Spiritual Malady 1. Look up and write out definitions for: • Unmanageability • Admit • Willfulness • Willpower • Surrender • Malady • Bedevilment • Self-seeking • Narcissism • Concede • Will • Self-centered • Defeat • Solipsism

2. Read and highlight pages 44 to 45 in the Big Book, to the end of the 2nd sentence, 2nd full paragraph ending with “… will solve your problem”.

3. Read and highlight page 52 of the Big Book, 2nd full paragraph beginning with “We had to ask ourselves …” ending with “Of course it was …”. This is the behavioural description of unmanageability – what it looks like.

4. Read and highlight from pages 60 to 62 in the Big Book, from the last full paragraph on page 60 (begins “The first requirement …” ends on page 62: “We had to have God’s help.”). This describes the actual nature of the spiritual malady.

5. Reread the “bedevilment” paragraph on page 52 out loud, substituting the words “I”, “me” and “my” and using the present tense, for example: “I have to ask myself …” Pause and ask yourself for each item: “Is this my experience?”; “Is this how I feel?” – “TODAY?”

6. Read and highlight Step One in the AA 12 Steps and 12 Traditions (CLICK HERE).

7. Complete the “Will” worksheet from WOL2021.

8. Beginning with the last paragraph on page 60, turn the following sentence into a question: “The first requirement is that we are convinced that any life run on self-will can hardly be a success.” Am I convinced? Reflect. Write out your answers.

9. LISTEN/WATCH:

Unpacking the Big Book - Instructions for Working each step, presented by Herb 2021 - YOU TUBE

SESSION 14 CLICK HERE

SESSION 15 CLICK HERE

SESSION 16 CLICK HERE

OPTIONAL reading, listening, and/or viewing:

WORKSHOP facilitated by Herb 2020 - with participant shares

17 PODCAST CLICK HERE

18 PODCAST CLICK HERE

19 PODCAST CLICK HERE

STEP ONE: NO CHOICE!

Emotional Sobriety (Part 1): The Path to Optimal Recovery (Dr Berger & Herb K)

ASSIGNMENTS: Twelve Steps to Spiritual Awakening

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Assignments 9 – 33 will be available soon

ASSIGNMENTS: Twelve Steps to Spiritual Awakening

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Bibliography Throughout the course of the discussions and conversations Herb K mentions favorite or recommended texts and authors. For your convenience a list is compiled below.

Author Title Publisher/Date/Source Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous AA World Services 2001 Alcoholics Anonymous World Service Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions CLICK HERE

Beattie, Melodie Codependent No More Hazelden Foundation 1992 Beesing, Maria, et al The Enneagram: A Journey of Self Discovery Dimension Books 1984 Berger, Allen 12 Stupid Things that Mess up Recovery Hazelden Foundation 2008 Berger, Allen 12 Smart Things to Do when the Booze Hazelden Foundation 2010

Berger, Allen 12 Hidden Rewards of Making Amends Hazelden Foundation 2013

Berger, Allen 12 More Stupid Things that Mess up Recovery Hazelden Foundation 2016 Bill W The Language of the Heart: Bill W’s Grapevine Writings CLICK HERE

Blondin, Sarah Heart Minded Sounds True, 2020 Bourgeault, Cynthia Centering Prayer & Inner Awakening Cowley Publications 2004 Boyle, Gregory Tatoos on the Heart Free Press 2010 Brazier, David The Feeling Buddha Palgrave Macmillan 1997 Brother Lawrence The Practice of the Presence of God Walker & Co. 1974 Byron Katie & Stephen Mitchell

Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life https://thework.com/books/

Chuck C A New Pair of Glasses New-Look Pub. Co. 1984

Dr. Fred Luskin Forgive for Good (Herb says this book is2nd only to the Big Book!) CLICK HERE

Eckhart Tolle Power of Now CLICK HERE

Finley, James Merton's Palace of Nowhere Ave Maria Press 1978 Finley, James The Awakening Call Ave Maria Press 1984 Finley, James The Contemplative Heart Sorin Books 1999 Fitzgerald, Robert The Soul of Sponsorship Hazelden Foundation 1995

Fitzgerald, Robert The Soul of Sponsorship: The Friendship of Fr. Ed Dowling & Bill Wilson CLICK HERE

Frankl, Viktor Man’s Search for Meaning Beacon Press, 4th Edition 2000 Gunaratana, B. H. Mindfulness in Plain English Wisdom Pub. 2011 Gurdjieff, G. I. Meetings with Remarkable Men Penguin Compass 2002 Hamilton B Twelve Step Sponsorship Hazelden Foundation 1996 Hamilton B 12 Step Sponsorship CLICK HERE

Hanh, Thich Nhat Living Buddha, Living Christ Riverhead Books 1995

Herb K Practicing the Here & Now https://herbk.com/ Herb K Twelve Steps to Spiritual Awakening https://herbk.com/ Herb K Twelve Step Guide to Using the AA Big Book https://herbk.com/ Herman, Judith Trauma and Recovery Basic Books 1992 John W. James and Russell Friedman The Grief Recovery Handbook CLICK HERE

Keating, Thomas Open Mind, Open Heart: The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel CLICK HERE

ASSIGNMENTS: Twelve Steps to Spiritual Awakening

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Bibliography continued… Author Title Publisher/Date/Source Keating, Thomas Intimacy with God Crossroad Pub. Co. 2009 Lewis, et al A General Theory of Love Vintage 2001 Luskin, Fred Forgive for Good HarperCollins Publishers 2001 Masland, Abraham Toward a Psychology of Being Sublime Books 2014 Matthieu, Ingrid Recovering Spirituality Hazelden Foundation 2011 May, Gerald Addiction and Grace Harper & Row 1988 May, Gerald The Awakened Heart Harper & Row 1991 May, Gerald Will and Spirit Harper & Row 1982 Merton, Thomas New Seeds of Contemplation New Directions 1961 Rohr, Richard Everything Belongs The Crossroad Pub. Co. 1999 Rohr, Richard Breathing Underwater Franciscan Media 2011 Rosen, Tommy Recovery 2.0 Hay House 2014 Seligman, Martin Flourish Atria Books 2011

Shapiro, Rami The Secret Art of Loving Kindness: Preparing to Practice (The Art of Spiritual Living) CLICK HERE

Siegel, Dan Mindsight Bantam Books 2010 Suzuki, Shunryu Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind Weatherhill 1970 Teilhard De Chardin The Phenomenon of Man William Collins 1959 Teilhard De Chardin The Divine Milieu Fontana Books 1957 Trungpa, Chogyan Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism Shambhala Publications 2008 Welwood, John Toward a Psychology of Awakening Shambhala Publications 2002 Wilber, Ken Integral Meditation Shambhala Publications 2016 Wilber, Ken A Brief History of Everything Shambhala Publications 2000 Wilber, Ken A Theory of Everything Shambhala Publications 2000 Wilber, Ken Integral Psychology Shambhala Publications 2000 Wilber, Ken Integral Spirituality Shambhala Publications 2006 William James Variety of Religious Experiences CLICK HERE

ASSIGNMENTS: Twelve Steps to Spiritual Awakening

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Resources – YouTube Summary

Big Book Twelve Step Workshop: 2021

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLciyHhGrfkEGd_hq17EfGqbS-SlwCFCYO

Big Book Twelve Step Workshop: 2020

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLciyHhGrfkEG9qQY-5B_1WYyuBwbh8x7t

Spirituality Series: 2020/2021 – Monthly; Variety of Topics

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLciyHhGrfkEFSpXXVrYi5agye

Wa4nSRBR

Path to Personal Freedom: 2021 – Monthly: Overview of Each of the 12 Steps

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLciyHhGrfkEHaA7YHEbGC-

eX-tQZKCj8C

Step Guide Discussion Meeting (Train the trainer): – Monthly workshop “Becoming a Lantern”

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLciyHhGrfkEHlKTAtmqk-

USgiikwHXL6v

Big Book Twelve Step Workshop 2019

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLciyHhGrfkEF_-W5K_bDtdJazQKhmBRQK

Spanish/English Translation: Big Book Workshop: 2020/2021

– Monthly “Los 12 Pasos con Herb K.”

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7TSmEbvRwRe0-STonAan3MMojzU1scS

ASSIGNMENTS: Twelve Steps to Spiritual Awakening

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Spiritual Arch w/Keystone

ASSIGNMENTS: Twelve Steps to Spiritual Awakening

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Compiled List of 12 Step Prayers SERENITY PRAYER GOD, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

SET ASIDE PRAYER God, please set aside everything I think I know about myself, my brokenness, the 12 Steps and You, for an open mind and a new experience of myself, my brokenness the 12 Steps and especially You!.

ST FRANCIS PRAYER (Page 99,12 & 12) LORD, make me a channel of thy peace, that where there is hatred, I may bring love; that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness; that where there is discoid, I may bring harmony; that where there is error, I may bring truth; that where there is doubt, I may bring faith; that where there is despair, I may bring hope; that where there are shadows, I may bring light; that where there is sadness, I may bring joy. LORD, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted; to understand, than to be understood; to love, than to be loved. For it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life.

MORNING PRAYER (Page 86 BB) GOD, direct my thinking today so that it is divorced of self-pity, dishonesty, self-will, self-seeking and fear. God inspire my thinking, decisions and intuitions. Help me to relax and take it easy. Free me from doubt and indecision. Guide me through this day and show me my next step. God, give me what I need to take care of any problems. I ask all these things that I may be of maximum service to you and my fellow man (in the name of the Steps I pray.)

NIGHT PRAYER (Page 86 BB) GOD, forgive me where I have been resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid today. Help me to not keep anything to myself but to discuss it all openly with another person - show me where I owe an apology and help me make it. Help me to be kind and loving to all people. Use me in the mainstream of life God. Remove worry, remorse or morbid (sick) reflections that I may be of usefulness to others.

FIRST STEP PRAYER (Page 10-12, Ch. 3, Page 46 BB) GOD, Creative Intelligence, Universal Mind, Spirit of Nature or Spirit of the Universe my name is , and I’m a real alcoholic... I need your help today.

SECOND STEP PRAYER (Page 59 BB) GOD, I’m standing at the turning point right now. Give me your protection and care as I abandon myself to you and give up my old ways and my old ideas just for today.

THIRD STEP PRAYER (Page 63 & 59 BB ) GOD, I offer myself to Thee — to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!

FOURTH STEP PRAYERS WHEN IN DOUBT (Page 13 BB) l am to sit quietly when in doubt, asking only for direction and strength to meet my problems as He would have me.

WHEN I AM DISTURBED BY OTHERS’ CONDUCT (Page. 67 BB, Page 141 of 12 St 12) God save me from being angry. This is a sick person. How can I be helpful to them? God, help me to show this person the same tolerance, pity and patience that I would cheerfully grant a sick friend. Thy will be done. (See Prayer for Freedom below.)

WHEN I AM AFRAID (Page 68 BB) God, relieve me of this fear and direct my attention to what you would have me be.

WHEN I AM AWARE OF MY OWN DEFECTS AND SEEKING GOD S HELP TO CHANGE (Page 69 BB) We asked God to mold our ideals and help us to live up to them, we ask God what we should do about each specific matter. GOD, mold my ideals in this particular area of my life and help me to live up to them. What should I do in each specific matter? Guide me God and give me strength to do the right thing.

ASSIGNMENTS: Twelve Steps to Spiritual Awakening

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FIFTH STEP PRAYER (Page 75 BB) GOD, I thank you from the bottom of my heart that I know you better. Help me become aware of anything I have omitted discussing with another person. Help me to do what is necessary to walk a free man at last. SIXTH STEP PRAYER (Page 76 BB) GOD, help me become willing to let go of all the things to which I admit are objectionable. You can take them all – each and every one. God help us to be willing. SEVENTH STEP PRAYER (Page 76 BB) MY CREATOR, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good & bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you & my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here to do Your bidding. AMEN EIGHTH STEP PRAYER (Page 76 BB) God, help me to become willing to sweep away the debris which has accumulated out of our effort to to live on self-will and run the show ourselves. God, help me to remember I agreed to go to any lengths for victory over alcohol and find a spiritual experience. NINTH STEP PRAYER (Page 78-80 BB) GOD, give me the strength and direction to do the right thing no matter what the consequences may be. Help me to consider others and not harm them in any way. Help me to consult with others before I take any actions that would cause me to be sorry. Help me to not repeat such behaviors. Show me the way of Patience, Tolerance, Kindliness, and Love and help me live the spiritual life.

TENTH STEP PRAYERS (Page 84-85 BB) GOD, remove the Selfishness, dishonesty, resentment and fear that has cropped up in my life right now. Help me to discuss this with someone immediately and make amends quickly if I have harmed anyone. Help me to cease fighting anything or anyone. Show me where I may be helpful to someone else. Help me react sanely; not cocky or afraid. How can I best serve You - Your will, not mine be done. (See Prayer for Freedom for help with resentments.) ELEVENTH STEP PRAYER (Page 87-88 BB) As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day ’Thy will be done.' GOD, I’m agitated and doubtful right now. Help me to stop and remember that I've made a decision to let You be my God. Give me the right thoughts and actions. God, save me from fear, anger, worry, self- pity or foolish decisions and that Your will, not my will, be done. SUGGESTIONS: x Make no requests in prayer for yourself only. x Never pray for your own selfish ends. x Select and memorize a few set prayers that

emphasize the principles of the steps. x Consider other spiritual books and prayers – stay

open to new wisdom teachers. x Be quick to see where religious people are right. x Make use of what religious people have to offer. WHAT IS OUR/MY PURPOSE? ‘To love and be loved.’ To find our way home.’ ‘Trust God, clean house, help others.’

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PRAYER FOR DEEP RESENTMENT:

God, (INSERT NAME of person regarding this resentment), like me is a spiritually sick person. Please: (choose one or two most resonate bullets)

• Help me to show (Name) tolerance, compassion and patience

• Release me from being angry • Enable me to release this resentment • Remove this resentment • Show me how to take a kindly and tolerant

view of (Name) • Bring me to accept reality as it is • Show me how I can be helpful to (Name)

Thy will be done.

(Suggestion: Say this prayer for 30 days. Consider taking an Accountability Partner. We pray because we are powerless/We are accountable because we are human)

12 Step ACRONYMS I S M’S – I, Self, Me * I See Me * I Sponsor Myself * I Sabotage Myself * Internal Spiritual Malady * Incredibly Short Memory G I F T – God Is Forever There W I S D O M – When In Self Discover Our Motives F A I T H – Fantastic Adventure In Trusting Him P U SH – Pray Until Something Happens T I M E – This I Must Experience F A M I L Y – Forget About Me I Love You F I N E – F*ked up. Insecure, Neurotic, & Emotional D E A D – Drinking Ends All Dreams D A M M – Drunks Against Mad Mothers F E A R – F*k Everything And Run * Fight Everyone And Relapse * False Evidence Appearing Real * Face Everything And Recover S E R E N I T Y See things for what they are Everything happens for a reason Rely on God for the answer Engage in prayer when you are in need Never give up on God, God never gives up on you

Illustrate character by example Try forgiveness Yesterday learn from, today learn towards, tomorrow learn to