A Dozen Steps

The Second Tradition

by Mark on May 23rd, 2006

“For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.”

Once again, please allow me to refer to “The Language of The Heart” and Bill W.’s writings. This is from pg 77 and is simply titled “Tradition Two.”

“Sooner or later, every AA comes to depend upon a Power greater than himself. He finds that the God of his understanding is not only a source of strength, but also a source of positive direction. Realizing that some fraction of that infinite resource is now available, his life takes on an entirely different complexion. He experiences a new inner security together with such a sense of destiny and purpose as he has never known before. As each day passes, our AA reviews his mistakes and vicissitudes. He learns from daily experience what his remaining character defects are and becomes ever more willing that they be removed. In this fashion he improves his conscious contact with God.”

“Every AA group follows the same cycle of development. We are coming to realize that each group, as well as each individual, is a special entity, not quite like any other. Though AA groups are basically the same, each group does have its own special atmosphere, its own peculiar state of development. We believe that every AA group has a conscience. It is the collective conscience of its own membership. Daily experience informs and instructs this conscience. The group begins to recognize its own defects of character and, one by one, these are removed or lessened. As this process continues, the group becomes better able to receive right direction for its own affairs. Trial and error produces group experience, and out of corrected experience comes custom. When a customary way of doing things is definitely proved to be best, then that custom forms into AA tradition. The Greater Power is then working through a clear group conscience.”

What is about to follow is only my personal opinion. It is based on a bit over 16 yrs. in AA and the experiences of being a member of about half a dozen home groups. My current home group is the South Side Group of Savannah, Ga. Please come visit us. We meet on Monday and Thursday nights at 8 pm. at The United Methodist Church on White Bluff Rd. in Savannah.

Try to follow me - I have discussions with folks who are obviously upset with the way certain things and people conduct their home groups’ affairs. Take a look at what Bill said here;

“a new inner security together with such a sense of destiny and purpose.”

That’s for the individual! Then it follows that the group follows…

My opinion is that when we’re complaining about an individual from our group, we’re usually doing it outside of the group. My best friend Lonnie has a principle that he lives by. That principle is “if I can’t say it to your face, I won’t say it behind your back.” I ask you - what do you fear from the person who has you so upset with what they’re doing at your home group?

And then my thoughts run down along the line of - if you have a thorough understanding of the Traditions you have all the ammunition to combat power grabbers and those who engage in the devious management of some situation, especially for their own advantage! And they exist! Make no mistake - but learn and then use the direction your Higher Power gives you to deal with it in a positive manner. Your fears are unfounded. If your group has been around a while it is “better able to receive right direction for its own affairs.”

Share This

Related Stories

Tradition Checklist - Tradition Twelve
Tradition Ten Checklist
Traditions Eight Checklist
Something To Practice In Real Life
Tradition Eleven Checklist

POSTED IN: The Twelve Traditions