Re: [BBS_Open_Discussion] Big Book Study - Post #14
In paragraph 2, we find another reference to the spiritual structure we are building:
"It has been repeatedly proven among us that upon this simple cornerstone a wonderfully effective spiritual structure can be built."
Some folks need to have "directions" spelled out for them. In this paragraph of the Big Book we have the "directions" for "taking" the second step: "We needed to ask ourselves but one short question. -- "Do I now believe, or am I even willing to believe, that there is a Power greater than myself?" As soon as a man can say that he does believe, or is willing to believe, we emphatically assure him that he is on his way." Once I answered that question, I took the second step!
Bill
Jim K <jknyc@...> wrote:
Good morning everyone!
***Here's a good exercise for Chapter 4. Read through and count how many times the word "prejudice" in it's various forms appears. Also count synonyms such as "preconceived ideas" etc. You'll be surprised to see how often we are asked to lay aside prejudice against spiritual concepts in this chapter.***
We are at page 46. The first full paragraph here speaks of openmindedness: "Yes, we of agnostic temperament have had these thoughts and experiences. Let us make haste to reassure you. We found that as soon as we were able to lay aside prejudice and express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves, we commenced to get results, even though it was impossible for any of us to fully define or comprehend that Power, which is
God."
Reading through to the top of page 47, we see the important idea expressed again:
"When, therefore, we speak to you of God, we mean your own conception of God. This applies, too, to other spiritual expressions which you find in this book. Do not let any prejudice you may have against spiritual terms deter you from honestly asking yourself what they mean to you. At the start, this was all we needed to commence spiritual growth, to effect our first conscious relation with God as we understood Him. Afterward, we found ourselves accepting many things which then seemed entirely out of reach. That was growth, but if we wished to grow we had to begin somewhere. So we used our own conception, however limited it was."
In paragraph 2, we find another reference to the spiritual structure we are building:
"It has been repeatedly proven among us that upon this simple cornerstone a wonderfully effective spiritual structure can be built."
The "cornerstone" isbelief, and on page 12 we found that "complete willingness"is our foundation. All that is important will rest on the foundation and the entire structure is squared up from this cornerstone. More elements of this spiritual structure will be revealed throughout the text.
In the following paragraph we see that belief comes before faith: "That was great news to us, for we had assumed we could not make use of spiritual principles unless we accepted many things on faith (indicating knowledge) which seemed difficult to believe."
So we begin with a belief, and it is through the knowledge that supports this belief that we begin to have faith.
Thanks Jim. For some reason, I used to read the title of this chapter and I'd see "Those Agnostics". What I refused to do was set aside my prejudice of what I...
In paragraph 2, we find another reference to the spiritual structure we are building: "It has been repeatedly proven among us that upon this simple cornerstone...
Thanks Bill. Or "Do I even have the CAPACITY to believe?" Peace, Danny S ... cornerstone a wonderfully effective spiritual structure can be built." ... ...
"Do not let any prejudice you may have against spiritual terms deter you from honestly asking yourself what they mean to you." When I first got into AA, I was...
When forming a conception of a God, I chose specific criteria. Among them... He had to be more powerful than a bottle of vodka. He had to be able to restore me...
Danny wrote: "It has been and STILL IS my OWN agnosticism, which comes up each and every time I doubt, fear or lack faith in God in any way, at any time, yes...
Danny wrote: <<I used to read the title of this chapter and I'd see "Those Agnostics">> Can I identify Danny!!! It's amazing what one can learn when they stick...
Steve, its nice to know I am not the only one with a "self" problem, even after the miracle. :) But being able to see it IS part of the miracle you and I...
Good morning everyone! ***Here's a good exercise for Chapter 4. Read through and count how many times the word "prejudice" in it's various forms appears. Also...
I had preconceived ideas of God, which I had to lay aside. Every time I "fxxxed up" I would think, "Oh boy, now I'm going have a rotten day/year" whatever....
Good morning everyone! ***Here's a good exercise for Chapter 4. Read through and count how many times the word "prejudice" in it's various forms appears. Also...
Thanks Jim. When we study this chapter, there is always a tendency, for some reason, to zero in on the two obstacles of "atheism" and "agnosticism" as the only...
We have a way of doing that for each other, don't we? Thats why I read every single post made here. Everything I can use I've learned from other people,...
Danny, On the bottom of page 47 through page 48, Bill writes, "Besides a seeming inability to accept much on faith, we often found ourselves handicapped by...
YEOW! Bill! Are you inferring there may be even MORE obtacles than prejudice, aetheism and agonsticsm? Damn! The list keeps getting longer and longer the more...
The "sensitive" of the triumvirate was what really intrigued me. How often have I not heard someone say, "Well, I'm a sensitive soul by nature......" as if...
FYI...i am one satisfied lurker.... rick...new hampshire ... From: Danny S To: BBS_Open_Discussion@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, July 22, 2005 3:50 PM Subject:...
I agree Bill. We shouldn't hide behind sensitive. We have to learn to face our fears. We learn to do a lot of things that we wouldn't ordinarily do in...
I don't think we mean an "Alan Alda", sensitivity. I think we are talking about "emotional sensitivity", as in an emotionally undeveloped child. There's...
Danny, I was thinking about the emotional child. I hope I come across as sensitive as in counsellor. Today it is hot. Most people cope with it. They drink...
Exactly how I was thinking of it. Peace, Danny S ... across as sensitive as in counsellor. Today it is hot. Most people cope with it. They drink lots of...
Good morning everyone! ***Here's a good exercise for Chapter 4. Read through and count how many times the word "prejudice" in it's various forms appears. Also...
I was talking Monday to a 21 year old who has never been to AA and is in the first few days of a 30-day rehab program. Her counselor wants her to think about a...
I was talking to my friend, ol' Mickey B the other day about agnosticism. Mick makes a good point in that we get all nuts about who IS God, and how to define...
I think I have spent too much time thinking about God and religion (s) in the past. I have recently worked with 2 newcomers simultaneously; One was a Moslem...
Good morning everyone! ***Here's a good exercise for Chapter 4. Read through and count how many times the word "prejudice" in it's various forms appears. Also...
I used to be prejudiced against the word "prejudice". I think it is only natural for us to be hung up on semantics – more often than we like to admit. "I...
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