Resource for the AA 6th Step

[root]

6. I am completely ready for God to free me from my character defects.

6.1. I believe that God can free me from everything I recognize as objectionable.

Write down (reflect on) whether:

- Can you recognize the objectionable elements in your behavior, speech, emotions, thoughts, and mindset? Is inventory-taking going well?
- Do you acknowledge your faults? To God? To yourself? To your peers?
- Do you cling to your faults, or are you ready to let them go?
- Is God capable of freeing anyone from any character defect?
- Is it conceivable that God could also free you from any of your character defects?

Practice the following (or something similar):

*My God, I believe that you can free me from any of my character defects.*


6.2. I know that I do not have to love my character defects, and I resolve not to cling to them.

Write down (reflect on) whether:

- Have you ever felt superior to others?
- Have you ever imagined your desire for possession or greed as diligence?
- Have you ever flattered someone just to get something?
- Do you enjoy plotting revenge against others in your thoughts?
- Do you often think of your binge-eating as self-indulgence?
- Do you label your shopping sprees as recreation?
- Do you lie about your substance use as self-healing?
- Does “good” prevent you from being “perfect”?
- What character defects have you clung to so far?
- Why did Jesus say, “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect”?


6.3. I recognize that I sometimes enjoy negative emotions and thoughts. I will make a list of them.

Write down (reflect on) whether:

- What are the negative emotions and thoughts that still poison your soul?
- For example, do you still occasionally feel shame, guilt, self-pity, sorrow, fear, stress, yearning, longing, resentment, anger, revenge, expectations, pride, envy, vanity, jealousy, or malice?
- Do these feelings sometimes provide you with secret satisfaction? Do you enjoy some of them?
- Do you sometimes enjoy feeling better than others?

Make a list for yourself in the following way:

*I am willing (in Step 7) to let go of the following emotions and thoughts:*

- shame
- guilt
- self-pity
- etc.


6.4. I recognize my egocentric manifestations.

Write down (reflect on) whether:

- In what ways are you special? How do you differ from others?
- And are others special as well? Or do they just think so?
- Do you label or qualify others? Saying they are “this” or “that”?
- Do you often judge others in your thoughts or have a negative opinion of them?
- Do you dramatize? Do you get anxious over small things? Do you believe in the end of the world?
- Do you still have expectations of others (especially in personal matters)?
- Do you believe in the legitimacy of basic human needs? What are they?
- What do you believe you are “entitled” to?


6.5. I will list my egocentric needs.

Write down (reflect on) whether:

- Are there things that are important to you? Do you often use the word “important”?
- Why is it important for others to know your opinion? Do you have special knowledge?
- Why is it important for others to be understanding towards you? Do you have special problems?
- Why is it important for others to pay attention to you? Do you have special suggestions?
- Is it important that you are always right? How special is your truth?
- Is it important that others love you? Is it more important than your ability to love others?
- Do you want to succeed in the world? And if so, are you on the right path?
- In what ways are you better than others? Intelligence? Skill? Strength? Perseverance? Anything else?

Make a list for yourself in the following way:

*I am willing (in Step 7) to let go of the following egocentric needs:*

- to be comforted
- to be understood
- to be loved
- etc.


6.6. I will list my external identifications.

Write down (reflect on) whether:

- In what way is your life story special?
- Is your upbringing important to you? Who raised you to be who you are?
- Is your education important to you? Your own or others’?
- Do you have special abilities? In what ways are you better than others?
- What about your external appearance? Are you prettier than others? Or vice versa?
- What significant achievements have you reached in your life? In sports, work, or elsewhere?
- Are there possessions you are proud of?
- How much do you identify with your own body? Do you believe you are your body?

Make a list for yourself in the following way:

*I am not identified with:*

- my life story
- my upbringing
- my education
- etc.
- etc.
- my physical body


6.7. I will list my internal convictions.

Write down (reflect on) whether:

- In what way is your belief system special?
- Is it important what someone's political views are?
- Do you observe your own and others' social situations?
- Do you have individual reactions to world events? Are you proud of them?
- Do you cherish your memories? For example, do you look at old photos?
- Do you often conclude your emotional outbursts with “this is who I am”?
- Do you consider your thoughts important? Do you have many individual thoughts?

Make a list for yourself in the following way:

*I am not identified with:*

- my belief system
- my political views
- my social situation
- etc.
- etc.
- my thoughts

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CHECKLIST QUESTIONS

For AA Step 6

- Are you ready for God to free you from everything you recognize as objectionable?
- Do you love any of your character defects? Are you still clinging to them?
- Do you sometimes enjoy negative emotions and thoughts? Can you recognize them?
- Can you recognize your egocentric manifestations (labeling, judging, dramatizing, selfishness)?
- Can you list your egocentric needs (validation, attention, understanding, love)?
- Do you recognize your external identification factors? (past, history, family, education, work)?
- Do you recognize your internal convictions (belief system, political beliefs, opinions)?