SPIRITUALITY BY OSMOSIS

        Students who find the path of Living on the Spiritual Basis through the 12 step process have an advantage, the advantage of clear cut simple directions. The directions found in the “Big Book”, Alcoholics Anonymous, are straight forward and concise. Even so I have had students relate all kinds of curious interpretations of the process they heard someone (often an old-timer) relate in an AA meeting. The problem is that many, instead of actually reading and studying the path, chooses to base their recovery on people and gatherings rather than on their own work and effort. Faith without works is dead. I understand, why do hard things; like studying the path and really working the steps, when there are easy things like going to meetings and sober activities, relying on others “easier softer way” interpretations as gospel. Eventually spirituality by osmosis (lots of activity, little real work) wears thin and they are faced with a crisis they can no longer evade or postpone, that no amount of “sharing” or talking about will help; they wonder why God has abandoned them. They truly believe they have been “working” the program, but this perception is based on wishful thinking, not the path laid out in the Big Book. In truth they have been working some of the steps, but not all, like making a cake and leaving a few ingredients out, then blaming the recipe because the cake is inedible.

     The good news is they can change their point of view and start reaping the benefits immediately. Kinda like going on a diet and losing five pounds just by deciding to do the work, pretty cool. The Steps aren’t about not drinking, they are about Living on the Spiritual Basis, alcohol is but a symptom, the bottle only a symbol, and if you have the willingness, this path of enlightenment will solve all your life problems, but a price has to be paid, that price is the surrendering of self. Cheers.