12/15/2023
Barrowed from Bradfod Eckford
Steps Ten and Eleven - Spiritual Growth.
Having had a Spiritual Awakening or Spiritual Experience, as is evidenced by an ‘Entire Psychic Change,’ as the result of taking the ‘first nine Steps,’ we are now to ‘begin’ our Spiritual Growth. Spiritual Growth is dependent upon our application of Steps Ten, Eleven and is carried out in Step Twelve.
Quite often, we hear someone say, “This Program is a journey without a destination”, but the Big Book indicates that there is a destination, when it reads, “We have entered the world of the Spirit.” (p.84:2) We are further told that “Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime.”(p.84:2) That is precisely the purpose of Steps Ten, Eleven and Twelve: to grow in understanding, that we do in fact, have a Solution to all our problems, and effectiveness in learning how to apply the Twelve Steps to whatever might appear to be a problem.
As we study the ‘clear-cut directions’ for taking Step Ten on page 84 of the Big Book, we learn what the results will be, and as a reminder - why we must take the Steps ‘as they were given to us.’ We have a common Solution for our common problem.
So the first question is, “When do I begin to take Step Ten?” The answer to that is, “We commenced this way of living as we cleaned up the past.” (p.84:2) We cleaned up the past in Step Nine, so as soon as we begin the process of making amends, is the time we begin taking personal inventory. We initiate the practice of watching for our mistakes and wrongs.
What are they? They are exactly the same ones we found in Steps Four and Five. They are manifestations of our selfishness and self - centeredness. And we are told we must take this personal inventory for the rest of our lives. Step Ten is our daily check on ourselves, if we want to truly enjoy life.
How specifically do we take Step Ten? “Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment and fear.” (Step Four).
“When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them.” (Steps Six and Seven).
“We discuss them with someone immediately.” (Step Five). “…and we make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone.” (Steps Eight and Nine).
Then there is one more thing to do: “Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help.” (Step Twelve).
So, we take Step Ten by taking Steps, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine AND ‘Twelve’ moment by moment, day by day. Notice how very precise the directions are. When do we take Step Ten? Anytime we are disturbed is the time to act “at once,” “immediately” and “quickly”, recognizing that our selfishness and self-centerednesd are again displaying themselves. My job now is to be the least disturbed person in the room. When I begin feeling disturbed, I get ‘undisturbed’ as quickly as possible. In Step 10, we live in the NOW and there is no reason to stay disturbed, ruining the rest of our day.
We must constantly remember that when we took Step Three, (our Decision), we gave up our right to ever have our way, fueled on self only, for as long as we live. We are now to learn God’s will. Our will interacts with God’s will. We will always have self-will in our lives, but we can improve our lives every day by living a principled life.
So Step Ten is the ‘beginning’ of our Spiritual Growth. It is the ‘beginning’ of becoming a selfless person, learning to be a loving and giving person. We no longer anger with others, as “We realized that the people who wronged us were perhaps spiritually sick.” (p.66:4) “Though we did not like their symptoms and the way they disturbed us, they, like ourselves, were sick too. We asked God to help us show them the same tolerance, pity, and patience that we would cheerfully grant a sick friend. When a person offended we said to ourselves, “This is a sick man. How can I be helpful to him? God save me from being angry. Thy will be done.” (p.67:0) These are the first fruits of Step Four.
We change!
That is the first Promise of Step Ten: “Love and tolerance of others is our code.” (p.84:2).
With Step Ten, we begin to be at peace with the people about us. We’re not having the difficulties day in and day out, with all the drama, problems and difficulties as before. We do not react as before. Now, we are in an awakened state. We are changing and seeking to live a ‘principled way of life.’
We commence to understand that the quality of our life does not depend on what people think of us. We begin to understand that the quality of our life depends on how we feel about the people God has put in our lives. As long as we can look at everyone with love and tolerance, we are not disturbed. We are at peace, so now we can begin to practice the next Step:
Step Eleven suggests that we seek through prayer (talking to God) and meditation (learning to listen to God) a greater conscious contact with God, as we understand Him. Probably the most effective set of clear-cut directions for doing this will be found on pages 86, 87, and 88 of the Big Book. It was pointed out to me that God gave us two ears and one mouth. A God given clue as to how much I should talk (pray) and how much I should listen (meditate). That seems to improve our communication with Him. He has more answers than we have questions. By the time we get to Step 11, we have rid ourselves of just enough ‘self’ that we can have conscious contact with God, through prayer and meditation, which is Step 11. Although I do not have all the answers to my problems, I do have access to a Power that does.
Why is it so necessary that we pray ONLY for the knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out? Well, remember that we came to Alcoholics Anonymous because we were powerless, so we need to avail ourselves to His Power. And in Steps Three and Seven, we made Him aware that He is now our Director, our Guide for the way we think, the way we feel, and the way we act. He is our new ‘Director’ and we have promised to do His will to the best of our ability; it becomes vital that we check in with Him at the beginning of our day, throughout our day and again at bedtime, seeking ONLY the knowledge of what He wants us to do and what we need to get the job done, as He would have us. We no longer struggle from day to day, as before.
The first set of directions on page 86, show us how we can initiate the process of meditation by carefully reviewing our day, and answering some very specific questions as we are ready to retire at night. Each question, carefully considered and answered honestly, can be an exercise in meditation.
There exists some confusion within our Fellowship as to the difference between Step Ten and bedtime portion of Step Eleven. Step Ten is to be practiced all day, every day and it also may involve another person, such as our Sponsor or Spiritual Advisor. The part of Step Eleven we are examining at this point is just between us and our Creator. There should be nothing to distract us at bedtime so we can review how well we applied Steps Ten and Twelve in the quiet of our bedroom, and in the presence only of Him. After meditating on our day, we pray that we be given what we need to do better tomorrow.
The next set of directions on page 86 has to do with getting ready to begin our new day. It directs us to begin our meditation and prayer “on awakening”, not at some later time of day. I try to do this everyday ‘before my feet hit the floor,’ before I get out of bed. Here, we are instructed on meditation, then prayer, then meditation. We will also find some Promises on pages 86 and 87 resulting from these exercises.
As we ready to finish our visit with Him in the morning, it is suggested that we close with a prayer that we be given what we need to live this day, as He would have us. Bill W. liked to pray the ’Saint Francis Prayer, as do many of us. That Prayer is printed in the Step Eleven section in the book, ‘’Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions’’, on page 99 in the 2001 printing.
We have been given directions for arising and retiring but what about all that time in between? The last paragraph on page 87 gives us simple directions on how to deal with those things about which we are in doubt or that upset us. And with that simple set of suggestions are some neat Promises, but now we must go to work, and the directions for doing that are in Step Twelve.
Step Twelve begins with a Promise. Step Twelve starts with - “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps…”. -We are then told how we are to use the time that God has seen fit to give us. From the way I used to drink, I feel like I’m living on ‘borrowed time!’ Had I continued on the path I was on, I would not be breathing today. Remembering that we are alive and sober only because of His grace and mercy, we are truly indebted to Him. We must always remember that He is a ‘God of grace and mercy’ and not a ‘God of justice,’ or my goose would have been cooked a long time ago! Thank God!
Our first responsibility is to “Carry this message to alcoholics! You can help when no one else can. You can secure their confidence when others fail.” (p.89:1) That seems pretty simple but sometimes some of us are not too clear as to what that message is that we are charged to try to carry to alcoholics. It is very simply, “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps.” That is the only message we are told to carry but, of course, if we haven’t taken the Steps and had a spiritual awakening, we don’t have “this message to pass on to the alcoholic who still suffers.
We are told that spiritual growth is the result of our intensive work with other alcoholics.
“PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics.” (p.89:1)
Or, as Bill reported, “For if an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and self-sacrifice for others, he could not survive the certain trials and low spots ahead. ” (pp.14:6 and 15:0) And, “It is easy to let up on our spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will into all our activities. “How can I best serve Thee — Thy Will (not mine) be done.” These are thoughts which must go with us constantly. We can exercise our will power along this line all we wish. It is the proper use of the will.” (p.85:1)
We are also told that alcoholics are not the only ones we are to be thoughtful of and should try to help. “Our real purpose [in taking and applying these Steps to our daily lives] is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us.” (p.77:0). So now, we live life on ‘God’s terms.’ Do we try to be helpful to everyone? Yes, everyone - everyone, whether alcoholic or not.
“We feel that elimination of drinking is but a beginning. A much more important demonstration of our principles lies before us in our respective homes, occupations and affairs.” (p.19:1) Who or what does that leave out? No one!
So, there it is. Take the Steps, receive God’s Power and try to pass it on to other people that He puts in our lives. “We have recovered, and have been given the power to help others.” (p.132:1). We have been given a life with purpose. What a wonderful opportunity we have been given. But, we can only keep His Power as long as we try to give it away.
* You can’t lead where you haven’t been.
* You can’t teach what you haven’t learned.
* You can’t be what you are not.
* And you can’t give what you haven’t got!
Steps Ten and Eleven are our maintenance and growth Steps which are carried out in Step Twelve. Enjoy your journey!
