12 Step Workshop - Fast Track To Sobriety

STEP 11

"We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out."

P.85/three quarters down: “Much has already been said about receiving strength, inspiration, and direction from Him who has all knowledge and power. If we have carefully followed directions, we have begun to sense the flow of His Spirit into us. To some extent we have become God-conscious. We have begun to develop this vital sixth sense. But we must go further and that means more action.”

You know, what’s amazing is that the very thing that has caused us the most pain and suffering is our head, and yet where did we always go to find the solution? OUR HEADS!!

Q: Do we want to be free from our mind?

Q: Are we willing to carefully follow the directions outlined in this book?

We don’t do the steps because we want to. We do them because we want freedom.

"Step Eleven suggests prayer and meditation. We shouldn't be shy on this matter of prayer. Better men than we are using it constantly. It works, if we have the proper attitude and work at it. It would be easy to be vague about this matter. Yet, we believe we can make some definite and valuable suggestions.When we retire at night, we constructively review our day. Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid? Do we owe an apology? Have we kept something to ourselves which should be discussed with another person at once? Where we kind and loving toward all? What could we have done better? Were we thinking of ourselves most of the time? Or were we thinking of what we could do for others, of what we could pack into the stream of life? But we must be careful not to drift into worry, remorse or morbid reflection, for that would diminish our usefulness to others. After making our review we ask God's forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken.”

Look at these question. These are the questions we ask ourselves at the end of each day.

We then pray and meditate.

Notice how it doesn't just say ‘pray’ it says prayer AND meditation.

We can’t have a relationship with someone if we are doing all the talking.

Prayer is speaking to G-d. Meditating is listening.

“On awakening let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives.”

Notice how it’s all about directing our THINKING.

Remember how we said that the main problem centers in our MIND.

Step 11 guarantees us freedom from our mind.

STEP 11 promises:

P.87/bottom of page: “As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day "Thy will be done." We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves."

"It works - it really does. We addicts are undisciplined. So we let God discipline us in the simple way we have just outlined."

Q: Would we like to be free of fear or worry?

Q: Would we like to be free of anger?

Q: Would we like to be free of self pity?

Q: Would we like to be free of foolish decisions?

When ready to take step 11 we say:

P.86: “G-d, direct my thinking today so that it be divorced from self pity, dishonesty, self-will, self-seeking, and fear. Inspire my thinking, decisions, and intuitions. Help me to relax and take it easy. Free me from doubt and indecision. Guide me through this day and show me my next right step. G-d, give me what I need to take care of any problem. I ask, especially for freedom from self-will. I ask all these things that I may be of maximum service to You and everyone in my sphere.”