Twelve step prayers spiritual alcoholics anonymous cleveland. Stepbystep guide for sponsors a companion to aas big book. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. The intergroup office exists to aid groups in one common purpose to carry the message of aa to the alcoholic who still suffers. But even these people, if they construct a list of still milder defects, will be obliged to admit that they prefer to hang on to some of them. Adopted from aa guidelines, central or intergroup offices. Fifth step guide step 5 admitted to god, to ourselves, and to.
So step six were entirely ready to have god remove all these defects of character is a. Step 6 requires participants to become willing to look at their negative qualities and ask their higher power to help them change. Step six were entirely ready to have god remove all these defects of character. Breaking down step six of aa alcoholics anonymous jason wahler. Defects of character alcoholics anonymous cleveland. The crux of the sixth step of alcoholics anonymous is addressing our character defects and having the willingness of the god or higher power of our understanding to remove them from our lives. Big book workbook is for those who are willing to grow along spiritual lines 60. The first delusion speaks to the first part of step one that we are powerless over alcohol, the second delusion speaks to both parts of the first step, while the third delusion addresses the last half of the first step that our lives have become. T his is the step that separates the men from the boys.
He goes on to explain that any person capable of enough willingness and honesty to try re. Sep 24, 2016 provided to youtube by cdbaby step 6 guided recovery meditation. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. The 164 and more book, ebook, and web site are all concordances which display passages from the big book alcoholics anonymous, the twelve steps and twelve traditions, and the a. When breaking down step six i like to focus more on the word ready than entirely. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. As we read in the preface to the fourth edition of the big book. This brings us to the fifth step in the program of recovery mentioned in the preceding chapter. History acceptance addict addiction alanon alcohol alcoholic alcoholic thinking alcoholics anonymous alcoholism aldous huxley amends andrew cohen angel anger anonymity atheism attachments. Steps by the big book step 6 steps by the big book. This is a big misconception about alcoholics anonymous and one. Character defects readings for step seven big book.
Ive always been curious as to the huge difference between the list of character defects between the big book and the 12 and 12. These 4th step worksheets use the wording from alcoholics anonymous the big book pages 6371. The key to step 6 is acceptanceaccepting character defects exactly as they are and the willingness to let them go. Step five 55 admitted to god, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Jan 07, 2020 breaking down step six of aa alcoholics anonymous. Let me quote some great thinkers and writers to back me up here. The sixth step of alcoholics anonymous is an excellent example of that point and is often seen as the step that separates the men from the boys or the women from the girls. Step five is difficult but necessary to sobriety and peace of mind. The intergroup office is an aa service office that involves a partnership among the groups in the anchorage area. Over the years many lists of virtues that correspond to each of the twelve steps and their underlying spiritual nature have been printed in local area aa newsletters and on pocket cards. Because this book has become the basic text for our society and has helped such large numbers.
Many in recovery regard the 6th and 7th steps as evidence of the programs divine inspiration, for when the book alcoholics anonymous was written only two short paragraphs were devoted to these steps. The key to step 6 is acceptanceaccepting character defects exactly as they. And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone even alcohol. Fifth step guide step 5 admitted to god, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and more concordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either alcoholics. After identifying shortcomings and admitting to them by working steps 4 and 5, the next step forces members of 12step recovery groups to ask. So declares a wellloved clergyman who happens to be one of a. Want jason wahler inperson for your next gathering. Below is a short version of those six steps which bill w. All quotes on this site from the big book of alcoholics anonymous are reprinted with the permission of a. Step six of aas alcoholics anonymous twelve step program of recovery is all. For my 6th step, after i made a list of my character defects, defined them. A few suggestions for working on character defects. There are three delusions actually one illusion, and two delusions specifically referenced in the big book of alcoholics anonymous.
Defects of character program theory alcoholics anonymous. Step four asked you to compile a moral inventory and step five asked that you share your wrongs with your chosen higher power and with a discreet person that you trust. Early sixstep versions of the steps prior to the writing of the big book, a. So heres the thing, quitting alcohol and drugs is a big change. In twelve steps and twelve traditions, the guidebook written by one of aas founders, the chapter on step 6 begins. Discover how alcoholics anonymous step 6 says, we became willing to ask god to help us remove our defects of character. If you got through both of those steps, good job on your achievement. My creator, i am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. Step 7 humbly asked him to remove our shortcomings. Fourth step inventory these fourth step worksheets use the wording from alcoholics anonymous the big book pages 6371. Without fearless admission of defects, few could stay sober. Provided to youtube by cdbaby step 6 guided recovery meditation.
Breaking down step seven of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. Character defects are defense mechanism, which add to our denial of addiction. It is an open invitation to partner with our higher power and make a firm decision to let go of the character defects or flaws that have been in control for years. Some of us even think that it was these very things the character defects and shortcomings that ultimately saved our lives, because without them we would not have. There is a section in the big book that is similar to what wright and james have observed. Heres are two great step six activities that you can do alone or with your sponsor. Dec 07, 2018 the 7th step of alcoholics anonymous includes asking your higher power to take away your defects. Humility to me means viewing myself with an honest and realistic perspective. When the word optional is used in the worksheets, it means that the big book suggests doing this but. Were entirely ready to have god remove all these defects of character. When the word optional is used in the worksheets, it means that the big book suggests doing this but does not suggest writing anything down. Our goal is to study the steps as a friendly, focused group, and work them as the authors of the big book described. Dec 20, 2019 alcoholics anonymous, or aa, is a 12 step program designed to help give alcoholics support in staying sober. In what ways are my defects really basic human traits that.
We think we have done well enough in admitting these things to ourselves. But while step seven in the big book consists of a single prayer on page 76 that can, and should, be often repeated while we continue to rework the 12 steps after our initial gothrough, there is no equivalent formula for how to rework step 6. Step 6 is an important step in recovery for several reasons. It made me realize i had never actually done the steps 6 and 7 as set out in the into action chapter of the alcoholics anonymous big book despite having been sober 12 years. Now we can aim at the very best of all we know or can learn. They had seemed so simple in the aa big book that i had searched around to repress my character defects some other way for several years. You may contact aa at alcoholics anonymous world services at. Lying, manipulation, drama, greed, escaping responsibility, fear, playing the victim, defensiveness, blaming others and being selfabsorbedthese are a few of my favorite things. Sixth step prayer dear god, i am ready for your help in removing from me the defects of character which i now realize are an obstacle to my recovery. This book is very userfriendly and easily comprehended by those who are new to recovery. Aas are often asked what is the difference between defects of character in step six and shortcomings in step seven. First printed in 1939 and 1952, respectively, both were principally authored by aa cofounder bill wilson.
Jan 20, 2012 step 6 were entirely ready to have god remove all these defects of character. Therefore, it seems plain that few of us can quickly or easily become ready to aim at spiritual. Fifth step guide step 5 admitted to god, to ourselves, and. None of the contributors had been sober more than a couple of years at the time. Download pamphlets and handouts to use in big book group sessions our workbook companion to alcoholics anonymous 12 steps of recovery from alcoholism and addiction is called steps by the big book. Jun 22, 2018 aa speakers joe and charlie steps 5, 6, 7, and 8 the big book comes alive duration. The big book alcoholics anonymous outlines how it works. Step 6 ready to remove defects of character youtube. We wish to make the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous part of our. Steps six and seven are only briefly discussed in the book alcoholics anonymouscommonly called the big book which serves as a basic text for many in addiction recovery.
Into action h aving made our personal inventory, what shall. Step 6 is the getting ready for removal stepthe step that can bring noticeable change when it comes to our thought patterns and behaviors. Origins of moral inventory aa the original way group. Sep 25, 2018 the key to step 6 is acceptanceaccepting character defects exactly as they are and the willingness to let them go. Step 4 character defects and the big book this thread is a listing of some of the character defects and where they are referred to in the big book as well as thoughts on each. For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. Aa speakers joe and charlie steps 5, 6, 7, and 8 the big book comes alive duration. Step 6 is a preparation step, giving us awareness of our character defects. Breaking down step seven of aa alcoholics anonymous. One of the products of this is a clearer understanding of the character defects. Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and more concordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either alcoholics anonymous. Grant me strength, as i go out from here, to do your bidding.
In twelvestep programs there is a process called inventory, where the person explores those places where they are in conflict. The intergroup office is maintained, supervised, and supported by groups in the local area. This brings us to the fifth step in the program of recovery mentioned. Alcoholics anonymous also known as the big book in recovery circles sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease.
I truly believe that the instructions contained within the big book are absolutely essential for recovery. Breaking down step six of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. The fourth edition includes twentyfour new stories that provide contemporary sharing for newcomers seeking recovery from alcoholism in a. A twelve step workbook al kohallek goes stepping contents title page preface 3 an eye i witness account 4 useful information 6 introducing step one 9 six essential characteristics 10 step one questions 11 step two questions i am grateful for supplement list page 14 step three questions 15 introduction to step four 16. It is during this step that you must be completely willing and ready to have the god of your understanding remove the character defects. In the old days, these character defects were seen as the underlying psychodynamics that caused the addiction. This step can be challenging because it requires the alcoholic to face his own imperfections, including. Listing them creates the need to make changes in our lives, and change creates fear. I understand that aa evolved from the christianbased oxford group but this idea. This guide has been prepared not as a replacement for or interference to our basic texts the big book and 12 and 12 but as a companion for the ideas and directions presented there. Were entirely ready to have god remove all our defects of character.
Defects in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. Alcoholics anonymous, or aa, is a 12step program designed to help give alcoholics support in staying sober. Were entirely ready to have god remove all these defects of character homework. Remember that as recently as dsmii, alcoholism and addiction were listed as personality disorders american psychiatric association, 1968. Moving into step seven actually involves us in the personal change of actively letting go of our shortcomings, actions and feelings that are liabilities. Step 6 introduces the phrase defects of character, which requires some comment.
A study of step 6 of the 12step program verywell mind. Read chapter 6, into action, page 7275 in the aa big book. Discuss and reflect on what you have learned about fearlessness, humility and honesty. The 12 steps of aa are the principles of the program that we practice, as listed in the big book, pages 59 and 60. We provide this study guide based on personal experience to help those following aas 12 steps as outlined in the original big book, alcoholics anonymous aa. When we look at the word character defects we automatically think the worst of ourselves and feel that once again we have to drag ourselves through the proverbial mud and broadcast to the world all of our faults.
Chapter 6 into action h aving made our personal inventory, what shall. When i think about step 7, i think about humility, as it tends to be the central theme of this step. If faith without works is dead, willingness without action is fantasy. However the word ready is a reminder that we are prepared, open and available. Similar to when any of us have went out and bought a car, how often over the next few months do we notice that same car being driven on the road.