Csaba - Step 2  
*(excerpt) - 2.0.*

I hope by now everyone has moved past Step 1. Let's move on. I would like to share with you how I took Step 2:  
With the help of the recommendations from our book "Sober Living," I did not drink the first drink.

I attended many meetings and observed the faith that emerged in the shares of my peers.  
I had many conversations with older members and my potential sponsors about faith, spirituality, Higher Power, and humility.  
I read a lot of our literature, primarily:  
A. We Came to Believe (the entire book is about Step 2)  
B. Big Book: Chapter 4: We Agnostics (pages 42-54)  
C. 12 Steps Book (Step 2 - pages 26-34)

In the end:

2. I CAME TO BELIEVE THAT A POWER GREATER THAN MYSELF CAN RESTORE ME TO SANITY.

As part of this:  

I recognized that there are other forces at work in the world besides myself.  
I realized that there are greater forces than myself.  
I noticed that those who believe in a Higher Power have better mental health.  
I became willing to imagine that there could be a power that restores my sanity.  
I wanted to believe that there is a power that restores my sanity.  
I began to practice this thought. I started to believe in it.

Guidelines for the step:

Recommended (mandatory for addicts) reading is as follows:  

- We Came to Believe (the entire book is about Step 2)  
- Big Book: Chapter 4: We Agnostics (pages 42-54)  
- 12 Steps Book (Step 2 - pages 26-34)

In addition, I recommend that:

- Avoid the use of mind-altering substances!  
- Attend many meetings, group gatherings, and observe the faith that appears in your peers' shares!  
- Talk with older members and your potential sponsors about faith, spirituality, Higher Power, and humility!  
- Read a lot of spiritual literature, especially the books of self-help groups. At the end of Step 1, I recommended a few that I found particularly good.



Csaba - Step 2  

*(excerpt) - 2.1.*  

2.1. I REALIZED THAT OTHER FORCES ARE AT WORK IN THE WORLD BESIDES MYSELF.

As I mentioned in my previous shares, in the second part of Step 1:  
It became clear to me that my life rarely unfolds the way I planned.  
I realized that I cannot control my life or the lives of others.  
I understood that I cannot change the past.  
I became aware that the future will not be what I think it will be.  
It became acceptable for me that the present moment is always what it is.  

Therefore, I had to admit that I am powerless regarding things, people, and situations, and that I am not the one in control of the world. I had to acknowledge that I am little compared to ... (insert a thought that comes to your mind here...). I began to recognize that there are other forces at work in the world besides myself, such as:  

Natural forces (weather, geographical, physical, chemical, biological, genetic)  
Human forces (the intentions, aspirations, behaviors, habits of others)  
Social forces (political aspirations, social relationships, group activities)  
Higher forces (unexplainable "coincidences," interesting coincidences, miracles)  
Universal forces (Existence, Karma, God, Ultimate Reality)  

I increasingly discovered that what happens in the world or within me, due to forces outside of myself, is not necessarily a bad thing. What others want, what others strive for, what happens around me, and what goes on in the world is not necessarily bad.  
I began to exclude information from my field of vision that suggested the world is bad. For example, I started not to watch the news. This is enough for a start...



Guidelines for the Step 2.1 section:

2.1. I recognize that there are other forces at work in the world besides myself.  

Write down (reflect on) the following:

- What natural forces (weather, geographical, chemical, biological, genetic, etc.) are there that you cannot influence?  
- What human forces (for example, the intentions, aspirations, behaviors, habits of others, etc.) do you encounter that you cannot control?  
- What social forces (political aspirations, group activities, social relationships, living rules, etc.) are there that you cannot change?  
- What special forces (“coincidences,” interesting coincidences, miracles) are there that you cannot influence, and often cannot even explain?  
- What is your opinion on universal forces, creation, life, karma, and possibly God?  

- Write down any experiences you have that support the idea that:  

  - You are not the one in control of the world.  
  - What others want is not necessarily bad.  
  - What happens in the world is not necessarily bad.  



Csaba - Step 2  

*(excerpt) - 2.2.*  

2.2. I REALIZED THAT THERE ARE GREATER FORCES THAN MYSELF.

As I began to recognize that there are other forces at work in the world besides myself (such as the aspirations of other people, group interests, social forces, natural forces), I increasingly realized that these are usually forces stronger and more powerful than myself.  
I had to admit to myself that there are forces – greater than myself – that would make it difficult to find explanations for most events, the occurrences in the world, and even for the existence and laws of the world (Universe). I heard that others call these Higher Power. I liked this term because the word "God" always brought religious associations to my mind, and as an atheist, I was wary of religions and the use of the word God.

I had already realized earlier that if I wanted to control my life alone, I would repeatedly end up in a dead end and return to alcohol. (See Step 1!)  
I knew that correcting my alcoholic, self-centered thinking would not happen alone. I needed help. I clung to the AA group. I attended meetings and listened to the shares. I observed what people said about greater powers, the Higher Power. I noticed that those who believe in a Higher Power, even if it is not a Universal (God) Power, but just the power of an AA group – greater than myself – feel better.

This is enough for a start.


Guidelines for the Step 2.2 section:  

2.2. I realize that there are greater forces than myself.  

Write down (reflect on) the following:

- Can you always take on natural forces?  
- Can you always prevail over others, or are there stronger ones than you?  
- Are you the one making politics, or does politics influence your life more?  
- Are you a greater influence on society, or is society more of an influence on you?  
- Are you the one deciding about life, or is Life deciding about you?  
- Does your will determine your fate, or does your fate move you?  
- How much does the Universe rely on your help, your adjustments?  
- Do you think you know what God should do and why?  

Write down any experiences you have that support the idea that:  

- Yes, there are greater forces than us.  
- These forces are not always hostile.  
- These forces can also be supportive.



Csaba - Step 2  

*(excerpt) - 2.3.*  

2.3. I NOTICED THAT THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN A HIGHER POWER HAVE BETTER MENTAL HEALTH.

By attending meetings and listening to my peers' shares, I noticed a very interesting correlation:

A) Those who talked about coming to believe that they can imagine a Higher Power or that their image of God is starting to form usually reported feeling gratitude at times, experiencing peace of mind at times, beginning to understand what humility is, and feeling that they have embarked on a path of spiritual growth.

B) Those who talked about how – even though they don’t drink because they have taken Step 1 – they don’t know or don’t want to take Step 2, or who insisted that they are not doing the steps, generally did not report any gratitude, peace of mind, or spiritual growth. They mostly talked about how they would love to drink something again, but they don’t do it because they know where it would lead.  
After a while, I began to think that it would be better to belong to the first group.

“Hang out with the winners” – I also heard this at a meeting.


Guidelines for the Step 2.3 section:  

2.3. I notice and observe that those who believe in a Higher Power have better mental health.


Write down (reflect on) the following:  
What does it mean to have a Power greater than ourselves?  
What or who can we refer to as a Higher Power?  
What does the concept of “gratitude” mean?  
Can we be grateful to Powers greater than ourselves?  
What is spiritual peace, and how might it relate to spiritual health?  

Could spiritual health be connected to faith in a Power greater than ourselves?  

Write down any experience you have that supports the following:  

- Recovery does not work without help.  
- Human assistance is often not enough.  
- It is easier to change an egocentric mindset with faith in a Higher Power.  
- Those who have come to believe in a Higher Power feel better.  

Csaba - Step 2  

(excerpt) - 2.4  

2.4. I BECAME WILLING TO IMAGINE THAT THERE MIGHT EXIST A POWER THAT RESTORES MY MIND’S INTEGRITY.  

On page 50 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, there are two very profound thoughts:  

1st paragraph: "When we saw others solving their problems simply by surrendering to a Higher Power, we had to let go of our doubts about God. Our ideas didn’t work. But the concept of God did."  

4th paragraph: "During our alcoholic existence, we inevitably reached a critical moment when we had to face the dilemma of God's existence, humbled to the ground but without fear. Either there is a God, or there isn't. What will we choose?"  

And finally, the essence of the entire 12-step program, which I have heard at almost every meeting (from page 57 of the book): "The point is that we are willing to grow spiritually."  

After all, I have become willing to think that there might be a Higher Power that helps me restore my spiritual health and the integrity of my mind. It helps in my spiritual development. Why not?  

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>  

Guide for Step 2.4:  

2.4, I become willing to think that there might be a power that restores my mind’s integrity.  

Write down (reflect on):  

Are there those for whom a Higher Power helped in recovery?  
Does reaching faith require special abilities?  
Is reaching faith a privilege, or can anyone attain it?  
Is your willingness (to believe in a Higher Power) entirely up to you?  
Does building your willingness require special circumstances?  
Can the decision regarding your willingness be made at any time?  

Write down any experience you have that supports the following:  

- That spiritual growth depends solely on our own willingness.  
- That the concept of God can be valid in the realm of spiritual growth.  

Csaba - Step 2  

(excerpt) - 2.5  

2.5. I WANTED TO BELIEVE THAT THERE EXISTS A POWER THAT RESTORES MY MIND’S INTEGRITY.  

I read this on page 48 of the Big Book in the 2nd paragraph:  

"There are thousands of truly worldly-minded men and women. They state unequivocally that since they have come to believe in a Power greater than themselves, since their perception of Him has changed, and since they have done certain simple things, revolutionary changes have occurred in their lives and thinking."  
Okay, I thought. Let it be so. I am willing to believe that if I reach faith in a Power greater than myself, my life and thinking will change.  

But how do I do this?  

The Big Book also provided an answer on page 45:  

"We only had to ask ourselves one short question: Do I believe, or do I want to believe, that there is a Power greater than myself? We emphasize strongly: as soon as someone says they believe or are willing to believe, they are already on the right path. It has been repeatedly proven in our circles that a wonderfully strong spiritual foundation can be built on this simple fact."  

This is good news: I don’t have to believe right from the start.  

It is enough just to want to believe. Well, I can certainly take that risk....  

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Guide for Step 2.5:  

2.5, I want to believe that there exists a power that restores my mind’s integrity.  

Write down (reflect on):  

Are you willing to grow spiritually?  
Do you sincerely want recovery?  
Do you want to embark on the path of spiritual development?  
Do you believe, or do you want to believe, that there is a Power greater than you?  

Write down any experience you have that supports the following:  

- When someone says "I can't," they are really saying "I don't want to."  
- If you want to achieve something, sooner or later you will be able to achieve it.  
- If you want to believe in something, sooner or later you will be able to believe in it.  

Csaba - Step 2  

(excerpt) - 2.6  

2.6. I HAVE STARTED TO PRACTICE FAITH. I HAVE STARTED TO BELIEVE.  

Based on my previous steps, I have decided that I want to believe in a Power greater than myself. In AA, they say that a useful attitude is "act as if." If I pretend long enough that I believe, then eventually I will believe. It’s just a matter of practice. And that’s what I did:  

I. I began to notice the Higher Power appearing in the world’s affairs. I tried to stop complaining, feeling sorry for myself, becoming outraged, and dramatizing. I tried to notice as much good (love, joy, peace) in the events and occurrences of the world. I started practicing my own little slogan: "It is good here!" No matter what happened around me, I tried to think: IT IS GOOD HERE!  

II. I began to notice the Higher Power appearing in my fellow humans. I tried to stop judging, evaluating, and labeling. I tried to see as much good (understanding, love, cheerfulness) in people as possible. I started practicing my own little slogan: "They are good!" because everyone is good. Whenever I met someone, I tried to think: THEY ARE GOOD!  

III. I began to notice the Higher Power manifesting in my own life. I tried to stop feeling guilt, self-pity, regret, and suffering. I tried to see as much good (selflessness, love, joy, peace) in myself as possible. I started practicing my own little slogan: "I am good!" Whenever I felt uncertain, I tried to think: I AM GOOD!  

IV. I started feeling gratitude for all the good things I owe to the Higher Power in the world, in my fellow humans, and in myself.  

I began to practice my gratitude prayer: Lord, I am grateful:  

- that I am alive,  
- that I don’t have to drink,  
- that I found AA,  
- that I can grow spiritually.  

And I practiced, and practiced, and programmed, and practiced...  

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Guide for the step section:  

Write down (reflect on) how much role practice plays in:  

- letting go of old, bad habits and forming new ones?  
- abandoning old, bad behaviors and forming new ones?  
- letting go of old, bad thoughts and developing new ways of thinking?  
- rewriting old misconceptions and recognizing the truth?  

Write down any experience you have that supports the following:  

- The "Act as if" principle works in everyday practice.  
- That if you think about something often enough, it will appear in your life.  
- That if you do something often enough, it will become a daily practice.  

Start paying attention and practicing:  

- How the Higher Power appears in the world’s affairs: IT IS GOOD HERE!  
- How the Higher Power appears in your fellow humans: THEY ARE GOOD!  
- How the Higher Power appears in your life: I AM GOOD!  

Start giving thanks:  

- For being alive!  
- For not having to use alcohol or other mind-altering substances!  
- For finding the 12-step program!  
- For being able to grow spiritually!  

Self-reflection questions:  

1. Have you recognized that there are other forces at work in the world besides yourself?  
2. Have you realized that there are Powers greater than yourself?  
3. Have you noticed that those who believe in a Higher Power have better spiritual health?  
4. Are you willing to imagine that there might be a Power that restores your mind’s integrity?  
5. Do you now want to believe that there exists a Power that restores your mind’s integrity?  
6. Have you started practicing this thought? Have you begun to believe in it?