"If what we have felt and seen means anything at all,
it means all of us are children of a living Creator
with whom we may form a relationship on simple, understandable terms
as soon as we are willing and open enough to try."
(Big Book page 28)
it means all of us are children of a living Creator
with whom we may form a relationship on simple, understandable terms
as soon as we are willing and open enough to try."
(Big Book page 28)
Step 2 and the We Agnostics chapter of the Big Book leads me into relationship with a Higher Power that can take me past the "terror, bewilderment, frustration, and despair" of Step 1.
The following simple process, questions, and insights stem from moving systematically through Chapter 4 in the Big Book.
The following simple process, questions, and insights stem from moving systematically through Chapter 4 in the Big Book.
First
Uncover and tell the truth about my experiences with God, a Higher Power, religion, spirituality, religious people... etc.
Second
Conceptualize my own understanding of God,
Uncover and tell the truth about my experiences with God, a Higher Power, religion, spirituality, religious people... etc.
- What did I believe, know, or experience as a child?
- What did I believe, know, or experience as I grew older, in different "seasons" of my life?
- What experiences, images, people shaped my conception of God - consciously or unconsciously?
- What positive or negative role did human organizations (e.g. churches, schools, temples, etc.) play in shaping my conception, if any?
- What positive or negative role did individuals play in shaping my conception, if any?
- What role has loss (grief, suffering, death, broken dreams, accidents) played in my relationship with God?
Second
Conceptualize my own understanding of God,
- The book and other sober people assure me that my concept, however limited, is sufficient, enough. What adjectives describe the God of your understanding? My own concept now includes: Love, Savior, Father, Friend, Teacher, Creator, Protector, Husband, Employer, Positive Energy, Healer, Holy Spirit, Guide, Helper, the One, the Great I Am, the Lord, Great Spirit...
Third
Ask myself, "What do spiritual terms mean to me?"
- For example: faith, prayer, meditation, Great Spirit, Realm of Spirit, Power, Spirit of the Universe, God. Personally, I love to use the dictionary and Google spiritual terms as I seek my own understanding.
Fourth
Ask myself, "Am I willing to believe God, as I understand God, can take me beyond Step 1?"
- The beauty of AA is the truth of "I can't." My whole life I have been told I was smart, capable, talented, and that is true of all of us. And yet, I am powerless over alcohol and my life is unmanageable by me. From the truth of my first step and my new conceptualization of God, I AM willing to believe.
Fifth
Ask myself, "Is God everything or nothing? What is my choice to be?
- I can't tune into two radio stations at the same time, walk two roads simultaneously. The process asks me to make a choice.
The Big Book says we are going to find our God, if we search diligently and fearlessly,
"deep down within," that it is an "untapped inner resource." (Big Book Appendix 2).
Jesus says "the kingdom of heaven is within you, among you." (Luke 17:21)
I love this ceramic. The "egg' is man-made and some entity has broken free from it. We knew God before and in the womb but take on man-made ideas that are a suffocating man-made shell-egg. Step 2 allows me to get free!