Good Morning!

We're on page 17 - Chapter 2 - "There is a Solution."

One of the literary devices that Bill employs on this page relates to events
that are familiar to the reader. Remember that the book was published in 1939
when the Titanic was still a relatively recent memory for many.

"We are like the passengers of a great liner the moment after rescue from
shipwreck when camaraderie, joyousness and democracy pervade the vessel from
steerage to Captain's table. Unlike the feelings of the ship's passengers,
however, our joy in escape from disaster does not subside as we go our
individual ways."

"Steerage" was the bottom of the ship - the cheap seats - accommodations for
lower-class passengers. Of course, the elite gathered by invitation only at the
glamorous "Captain's table." The two extremes would never mix with one another.
But to those who were miraculously rescued from the icy, terrifying ocean, these
differences became nothing more than unimportant details.

Now here's the message -- the WARNING -- that Bill and the first one hundred
wanted to pass on: "But that in itself would never have held us together as we
are now joined."

So, what is it that binds us together? Look at the following paragraph:

"...we have discovered a common solution [a spiritual awakening through the 12
Steps]. We have a way out on which we can absolutely agree, upon which we can
join in brotherly and harmonious action."

It is The AA Program of action that binds us together.

Page 20, paragraph 1:

"Doubtless you are curious to discover how and why, in the face of expert
opinion to the contrary, we have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of
mind and body."

The top of the next paragraph is the answer:

"It is the purpose of this book to answer such questions specifically."

In other words, we should be using this book as a text book or set of directions
for in these pages we will be shown how to get, and stay, sober.

The following four paragraphs go on to describe the misconceptions of alcoholism
held by the public at large and to describe people who have drinking problems
but who are not real alcoholics: moderate drinkers and certain types of hard
drinkers.

Page 21: "The real alcoholic" - In paragraph 1, Bill discusses the craving and
lack of control that the real alcoholic develops. This repeats ideas presented
in "The Doctor's Opinion."

Turn to page 22, paragraph 2 - Here the powerlessness and insanity of alcoholism
is defined.

"What has become of the common sense and will power that he still sometimes
displays with respect to other matters?"

In short, the human will is not operative. We drink, continuing to expect
different results. Alcoholics do not have the power of choice – common sense and
willpower are useless.

What is it that causes alcoholics to drink when they don't want to? Broken
shoelace? Not enough meetings? Page 23, paragraph 1 -

"These observations would be academic and pointless if our friend never took the
first drink, thereby setting the terrible cycle in motion. Therefore, the main
problem of the alcoholic centers in the mind rather than in his body."

It is our struggle with the mental obsession that we will lose that causes us to
drink; the circumstances themselves matter little.

Turning to page 24, we have italicized writing, used sparsely in the book,
always used to emphasize a point –

"The fact is that most alcoholics, for reasons yet obscure, have lost the power
of choice in drink. Our so-called will power becomes practically nonexistent. We
are unable, at certain times, to bring into our consciousness with sufficient
force the memory of the suffering and humiliation of even a week or a month ago.
We are without defense against the first drink."

The following paragraph - "There is the complete failure of the kind of defense
that keeps one from putting his hand on a hot stove."

Let's pause here to consider this: How many times has this point, the lack of
common sense regarding alcohol or the lack of defense against the first drink,
been made?

We must also note that in the last paragraph on page 24 we are told that the
alcoholic "...has probably placed himself beyond human aid... ." Is fellowship
enough? Going to meetings morning, noon, and night? Talking to a sponsor
everyday? Daily telphone calls?

Here's our situation: The mental obsession to drink is relentless; human power
is ineffective against it. What will help us to overcome this obsession and
prevent us from picking up the first drink?

More on Monday! Have a great weekend, everyone.

Karen





What the caterpillar calls the end of the world,
The Master calls the butterfly.
¸,ø!º°^°º!ø,¸¸,ø!º°^°º!ø,¸¸,ø!º°^°º!ø,¸¸,ø!º°^°º!ø,¸¸,ø!º°^°º!ø,¸
DOS: 05/17/1993
http://www.geocities.com/kclark_95621






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