The Tablemate - Discussion No. 2 The Spiritual Phase Part II
As a reminder;
The Tablemate was an early A.A. set of beginners lessons entitled ‘Alcoholics Anonymous: An Interpretation of the Twelve Steps,’ put out in the form of a little pamphlet. It was (and still is) the most successful set of A.A. beginners lessons ever devised.
And I’m drawing content from the Hindsfoot site, laboriously prepared by Glenn C. and others… We are now in Discussion No. 2: The Spiritual Phase (II) (see part I)
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Step No. 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
1. There is nothing new in this step. There are many sound reasons for “talking over our troubles out loud with others.”
2. The Catholic already has this medium readily available to him in the confessional. But - - the Catholic is at a disadvantage if he thinks his familiarity with confession permits him to think his part of A.A. is thereby automatically taken care of. He must, in confession, seriously consider his problems in relation to his alcoholic thinking.
3. The non-Catholic has the way open to work this step by going to his minister, his doctor, or his friend.
4. Under this step it is not even necessary to go to a priest or minister. Any understanding human being, friend or stranger, will serve the purpose.
5. The purpose and intent of this step is so plain and definite that it needs little explanation. The point is that we must do exactly what the fifth step says, sooner or later. We must not be in rush to get this step off our chest. Consider it carefully and calmly. Then get about it and do it.
6. “Wrongs” do not necessarily mean crime. It can well be wrong thinking - - selfishness - - false pride - - egotism - - or any one of a hundred such negative faults.
Step No. 6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
1. After admitting our wrong thinking and wrong actions in step five we now do something more than “admit” or “confess.”
2. We now become ready and willing to have God remove the defects in our character.
3. Remember it is our character we are working on. Not the other fellow’s. Here is a good place to drop the critical attitude toward others - - the superior attitude toward others.
4. We must clean our mind of wrong thinking - - petty jealousy - - envy - - self pity - - remorse, etc.
5. Here is the place to drop resentments, one of the biggest hurdles the alcoholic had to get over.
6. What concerns us here is that we drop all thoughts of resentment: anger, hatred, revenge.
7. We turn our will over to God and let his will direct us how to patiently remove, one by one, all defects in our character.
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POSTED IN: AA History, Helpful 12 Step Sites, The Fifth Step, The Sixth Step
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