Csaba

[root]

Csaba - Step 11

(excerpt) - 11.0

I would like to share with you how I approach Step 11:

The Big Book states on page 79:

“It’s easy to stop the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. If we do so, serious troubles await us, as alcohol is a cunning foe. We have not been cured of alcoholism. What we have gained is a reprieve; its condition is spiritual maintenance. Each day is for fulfilling God’s will through our actions. >>How can I serve You best? Let Your will, not mine, be done.<< – These thoughts should constantly accompany us.

This way, we can also practice our willpower in the right measure. This is the proper application of willpower. […] The Eleventh Step recommends prayer and meditation. We mustn’t be shy! Many better than us constantly live by it. We succeed if we adopt the right attitude and are not afraid of the effort.”

What do I do then?

11. I STRIVE TO DEEPEN MY CONSCIOUS CONNECTION WITH GOD THROUGH PRAYER AND MEDITATION, SEEKING HIS WILL FOR ME AND THE STRENGTH TO CARRY IT OUT.

As part of this:

1. I have become familiar with the three main elements of our spiritual toolkit.
2. I regularly read AA literature.
3. I also read other spiritual literature regularly.
4. I reflect on what I read.
5. I practice meditation.
6. I pray without bombarding God with my own requests.
7. I recognize His will for me.
8. I give thanks.
9. I praise Him!

I will detail these points further below.

Guidance for Step 11.0: 

As an introduction to step work:

- Study Step 11 in our 12/12 book!
- Attend meetings that focus on Step 11!
- Talk with your sponsor about Step 11!

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Csaba - Step 11

(excerpt) - 11.1

11.1, I HAVE BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE THREE MAIN ELEMENTS OF OUR SPIRITUAL TOOLKIT.

These are:

1. Self-examination
2. Reflection
3. Prayer

What are these, actually? Let’s get to know them! The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions states on page 100:

“There is a close connection between prayer, meditation, and self-examination. Individually, each can provide much comfort and benefit. But when combined, they provide an unshakeable foundation for our lives.

So much so that at times, we may even taste a foretaste of the kingdom of God. We draw strength and security from knowing that we will reach this kingdom if, even stumbling, we try to recognize and carry out our Creator’s will.

1. As we have seen, self-examination gives us a new perspective, prompting action to change the dark and negative sides of our nature, enriching us with grace. Self-examination is the step that leads to humility and opens the door of our soul to God’s helping power. But this is only one step, and we want to keep moving forward.

2. We want the good latent in us – which exists even in the worst of us – to grow and flourish. For this, it needs air, nourishment, and above all, sunlight, for nothing grows in darkness. Reflection allows us to step into the sunlight.

3. Prayer lifts our hearts and minds to God. […] By prayer, we generally mean a request directed to God. Opening the channel of connection, we try to ask for what we and others most need. We believe that the full range of our needs is expressed in the words of the Eleventh Step: …to know His will for us and …to carry it out. This kind of request is timely at any hour of the day.”

Self-examination was the subject of my Tenth Step. In my Eleventh Step, I focus on prayer and reflection. How do I usually reflect? I will write about this in the following sections.

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Guidance for Step 11.1: 

11.1, I am becoming familiar with the three main elements of our spiritual toolkit.

Write down (or think about):

- What is the purpose of self-examination?
- When do we conduct self-examination?
- What types of self-examination are there?
- What is the purpose of reflection?
- When do we reflect?
- What types of reflection are there?
- What is the purpose of prayer?
- When do we pray?
- What kinds of prayers are there?

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Csaba - Step 11

(excerpt) - 11.2

11.2, I REGULARLY READ AA LITERATURE.

Csaba - Step 11

Excerpt - Step 11.0

I'd like to share how I practice Step 11:

The Big Book says on page 79:

"It is easy to stop following a program of spiritual action and to rest on our laurels. If we do so, we are headed for trouble, 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 of our activities. ‘How can I best serve Thee—Thy will (not mine) be done.’ These are thoughts that must go with us constantly.

By doing so, we also exercise our will properly, in the right measure. This is the correct use of willpower. [...] Step Eleven calls for prayer and meditation. We shouldn’t be embarrassed; better people than we are have consistently utilized this. It works if we maintain the right attitude and don’t mind the effort."

So, what do I do?

11. I STRIVE TO DEEPEN MY CONSCIOUS CONNECTION WITH GOD THROUGH PRAYER AND MEDITATION, SEEKING AN UNDERSTANDING OF HIS WILL FOR ME AND THE STRENGTH TO CARRY IT OUT.

As part of this:

1. I’ve become familiar with the three main elements of our spiritual toolkit.
2. I read AA literature regularly.
3. I also read other spiritual literature regularly.
4. I meditate on what I read.
5. I engage in meditation practices.
6. I pray but don’t burden God with personal requests.
7. I recognize His will for me.
8. I express gratitude.
9. I honor Him!

I’ll go into more detail on these points in the following sections.

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Guide for Step 11.0

As an introduction to working on this step:

- Study Step 11 in our 12/12 book.
- Attend meetings focused on Step 11.
- Discuss Step 11 with your sponsor.

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Csaba - Step 11.1

11.1, I HAVE BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE THREE MAIN ELEMENTS OF OUR SPIRITUAL TOOLKIT.

These are:

1. Self-examination
2. Meditation
3. Prayer

What are these? Let’s get to know them! The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, on page 100, says:

"There is a direct linkage among self-examination, meditation, and prayer. Taken separately, these practices can bring much relief and benefit. But when they are logically related and interwoven, the result is an unshakable foundation for life.

So firm, in fact, that we may catch glimpses of the ultimate reality of God’s kingdom. We will come to know that strength which can be accessed, so long as we keep trying to align ourselves with our Creator’s will.

1. As we’ve seen, self-examination gives us new perspectives and prompts us to act to transform the darker and negative sides of our nature. This step leads to humility and opens our soul to God’s helping power. But this is only one step; we want to move forward.

2. We want the good that lies within us—even in the least of us—to grow and thrive. It needs air and nourishment but, above all, sunlight because nothing grows in darkness. Through meditation, we step into the sunlight.

3. Prayer is the elevation of our hearts and minds to God. [...] By prayer, we mean a request directed to God. Opening this channel, we try to ask for what we and others need most. We believe our full range of needs is expressed in the words of Step Eleven: ‘that we may know and do His will.’ This request is appropriate at any time of the day."

Self-examination was the subject of my Step 10. In Step 11, I focus on prayer and meditation.

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Guide for Step 11.1

11.1, I Get to Know the Three Main Elements of Our Spiritual Toolkit

Think and write about:

- What is the purpose of self-examination?
- When do we do self-examination?
- What kinds of self-examination are there?
- What is the purpose of meditation?
- When do we meditate?
- What kinds of meditation are there?
- What is the purpose of prayer?
- When do we pray?
- What types of prayers are there?

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Csaba - Step 11.2

11.2, I READ AA LITERATURE REGULARLY.

I've already addressed self-examination through Steps 4 and 6, and I regularly apply it through Step 10.

Now, let’s look at meditation, the second element. The 12 Steps book, on page 101, says: "Meditation is not argument but the quiet contemplation of the thoughts of someone more experienced, so we may partake of and learn from their experience."

Who are the more experienced individuals? Those who came before me. Like those in recovery, for example. Especially long-time AA members who took the time to write down their thoughts in a readable format.

I’ve read the AA literature available to me. Some of it more than once. Many of these are accessible at AA meetings. Here are my favorites:

- Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book)
- 12 Steps and 12 Traditions (Step Book)
- Living Sober
- Came to Believe...
- Daily Reflections
- AA Comes of Age

The first two books are available in the Files section. I wish you happy reading!

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Guide for Step 11.2

11.2, I Regularly Read AA Literature.

Reflect and write about:

- Which AA books have you read?
- Which will you read next?
- Which one resonated with you most?
- Is there one you revisit regularly?

Write down wise thoughts and slogans from these books:

- Write them on sticky notes or use electronic Sticky Notes.
- Place them where you’ll see them daily (refrigerator, TV, monitor, smartphone).
- Practice, repeat, and mantra them! Examples:
  - "Thy will, not mine, be done!"
  - "Self-centeredness—that is the root of all our troubles."
  - "I entrust my will and life to God."
  - "We know serenity and learn peace."
  - "In giving to others, we receive."

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Csaba - Step 11.3

11.3, I ALSO READ OTHER SPIRITUAL LITERATURE REGULARLY.

After studying AA literature, I started reading other spiritual books and still read them to this day. I’m mindful that religious texts may have been influenced over time, such as the Bible during the Council of Nicaea.

Spiritual literature is valuable, so here’s a list for you to explore if you’re interested:

- Eckhart Tolle (The Power of Now; A New Earth)
- David R. Hawkins (Power vs. Force; Eye of the I)
- A Course in Miracles
- Karen Casey (Change Your Mind)
- Anthony de Mello (Awareness; On the Way to God)
- Dr. Rick Hanson (Buddha’s Brain)
- Béla Balogh (The Ten Commandments of the Subconscious)
- Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj (I Am That; Beyond Freedom)
- Bhagavad Gita
- Teachings of Buddha
- New Testament
- Sri Chinmoy (The Inner Promise; Meditation)
- Gunagriha (The Navigator of Destiny)
- Osho (The Book of Ego)
- Kurt Tepperwein (The Miracles of Creative Imagination; Superintuition)
- Lao Tzu (Tao Te Ching)
- Dr. Joseph Murphy (The Power of Your Subconscious Mind)
- I Ching (Book of Changes)
- Tibetan Book of the Dead (Bardo Thodol)

Happy reading and reflecting! Feel free to share your recommendations for advanced spiritual readings in the comments.

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Guide for Step 11.3

11.3, I Also Read Other Spiritual Literature Regularly.

Reflect and write about the meaning of:

- Spiritual
- Religious
- Teaching
- Teacher

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Csaba - Step 11.4

11.4, I REFLECT ON WHAT I READ.

In the previous section, I mentioned that I regularly read AA and other spiritual works. I don't read them like a light novel but very slowly and thoughtfully. I contemplate on what I’ve read.

I internalize the truths within them. I break them down into lines, sentences, words, and then reassemble and reread them. I would now like to share two examples:

1. The Step Book states on page 101 (possibly referencing St. Francis of Assisi):

"First, let us take a truly beautiful prayer. There is no need to search long; the great figures of various religions have left us a rich heritage. Let's examine one that has universal value. Its author has been regarded as a saint by humanity for centuries. True, he was not an alcoholic, but he went through the wringer of emotional experiences.

When he emerged from this, he expressed his view of the world and what he wished to become in this prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me bring love;
Where there is wrong, let me bring forgiveness;
Where there is discord, let me bring harmony;
Where there is error, let me bring truth;
Where there is doubt, let me bring faith;
Where there is despair, let me bring hope;
Where there is darkness, let me bring light;
Where there is sadness, let me bring joy!

Lord, grant that

I may seek not to be comforted, but to comfort;
Not to be understood, but to understand;
Not to be loved, but to love;
For it is in giving that we receive.
In forgiving that we are forgiven.
And in dying that we are born to eternal life.

AMEN

As beginners in contemplation, we can read the prayer several times: slowly, pondering each word, delving into every thought and expression. This will help our resistance disappear."

2. Secondly, I would like to quote a prayer from an even greater teacher (Jesus):

"Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
(For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,
now and forever. Amen.)"

Personally, the following thoughts resonate strongly with me when I read these lines:

- Let Your will be done, not mine!
- We receive everything we need from You (now).
- Our sins are forgiven as we forgive those who sin against us!
- All glory is Yours alone!

Transform your thinking through the practice of contemplation. Happy work!

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Guide for Step 11.4:

11.4, I Contemplate What I Have Read.

Write down (or reflect on) whether:

• You ever contemplate any prayer?
• If you don’t, when will you begin practicing?
• What does it feel like for you to consider a high spiritual thought process?

Take out the following prayers and reflect on them, line by line:

• Prayer for Inner Peace (Step Book, p. 42)
• Third Step Prayer (Big Book, p. 60)
• Seventh Step Prayer (Big Book, p. 71)
• St. Francis of Assisi’s Prayer (Step Book, p. 101)
• Our Father
• The Apostles' Creed

Csaba - 11th Step

(excerpt) - 11.5.

11.5, I PRACTICE MEDITATION EXERCISES.

To deepen my conscious relationship with God, I regularly engage in meditation. I typically use three main forms:

1. CONCENTRATION

As I’ve mentioned, I read AA literature and other spiritual books. When I do this, I try to exclude external distractions (radio, TV, other people). I proceed slowly, thoughtfully, line by line, word by word. I attempt to deepen and integrate the reading into my consciousness, to program it into myself. I do the same with my own “programming” mantras, which I focused on in the 7th and 10th Steps. Currently, for example, this "yellow note" is on my screen, which I practice daily:
Brother! I look at you with the eyes of Christ,
and I see in you my perfect sinlessness.

2. MEDITATION

In addition, I perform guided meditation exercises. I sit in a comfortable chair and listen to a meditation recording aimed at positively reprogramming my subconscious. My favorites are the following:
- Béla Balogh (The Ten Commandments of the Subconscious)
- Mind Control: I’m at Peace with Myself, I’m at Peace with Others
- Dr. Rick Hanson (Buddha's Brain)
- Gunagriha (Navigator of Destiny)

Additionally, I do a so-called "loving-kindness meditation," usually before bed. I sit, relax, close my eyes, and visualize someone to whom I want to send love energy. Then I imagine smiling at them, and they smile back. I wave, and they wave back warmly. I jump for joy at seeing them, and they joyfully jump too. I go to them, we shake hands. We laugh. We hug. We both have big smiles on our faces. We love each other. I repeat this with 8-10 more people, including not only close loved ones but also people I don’t like as much (an annoying acquaintance) or those I feel neutral about (like my boss).

3. CONTEMPLATION

The goal of contemplation is to turn off the projector in my mind. It’s essentially a "presence meditation." This can be done anywhere, anytime. If I don’t get around to it during the day, I definitely do it before bed. I turn off the lights, sit on the edge of the bed, and in the dim light, I keep my eyes open, looking at the wall. I see the wall (I say this to myself). “I see the wall, nothing else. I come out of my head. The projector stops. I see what I see, I don’t project. My breathing is calm. Out, in. One. Two. I don’t need the projector. It’s off for today. I come out of my head. I am present. I am here. I see the wall and the surrounding objects. My breathing is calm. I am not projecting. I am here. I am.…” (Eventually, I lie down and fall asleep.)

Wishing you thoughtful contemplation!

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Guide for Step 11.5:

11.5, I Practice Meditation Exercises.

Try studying the following thoughts with focused attention:

• It’s unfounded pride to believe that anything exists apart from God.
• I look at you with the eyes of Christ, and I see my perfect sinlessness in you.
• Only my own thoughts can cause me pain.
• My inner peace is the only gift I can offer to the world.
• My mind is part of God’s mind. Indeed, I am holy!

Listen to guided meditation exercises regularly! For example:

• Mind Control CDs
• Gunagriha: Navigator of Destiny
• Béla Balogh: The Ten Commandments of the Subconscious

Try the following practices:

• Loving-kindness meditation
• Presence contemplation

Csaba - 11th Step

(excerpt) - 11.6

11.6, I PRAY BUT DON’T OVERBURDEN GOD WITH MY OWN REQUESTS.

To start, let me quote Wikipedia:

"Prayer is a religious concept; in its most general sense, it is the communication of an individual or a community with the transcendent. In this definition, the transcendent – depending on the belief system of a particular religion – can hold various meanings. It may refer to God or gods, the deceased, personal or impersonal spiritual beings, an unspecified numinous entity, or the principle that orders the world.

Communication here can signify any form of contact with the broadest range of expressions. Thus, praying can take place in thought or aloud, with words, song, or without words, with dance or any other gesture – or any combination of these."

The Steps Book on page 103 states it more simply:

"In general, we understand prayer as a request directed toward God. By opening the channel of communication, we attempt to ask for what we and others need most. We believe that the full range of our needs is expressed in the words of the Eleventh Step: '... to know His will for us and to carry that out.' Such a request is appropriate at any time of day."

By the time I reached Step 11 in our Program, I had already moved beyond asking God for all sorts of things to acquire or come true. First, I know I receive everything I need from God without needing to ask. Second, I don’t want to control things or determine the direction of the world. So, how do I pray? What prayers do I use?

Here’s another quote from Wikipedia:

"In the traditional Christian categorization, prayer can be adoration, thanksgiving, petition, or atonement. However, we can truly speak of an infinite richness in prayers."

Some examples from my own practice:

ADORATION:
- Glory belongs to God alone!
- Glory to God in the highest!

THANKSGIVING:
- My God, I’m grateful to be alive!
- I’m grateful I don’t have to drink!
- I’m grateful to have come to know the AA program!

PETITION:
- Give us this day our daily bread!
- My God, grant me inner peace!

ATONEMENT:
- Forgive us our trespasses!
- I confess to Almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters...

I will provide more examples of these in the following sections.

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Guide for Section 11.6:

11.6, I Pray, but Don’t Overburden God with My Own Requests.

Try to give some examples for the following types of prayers:

• Adoration
• Thanksgiving
• Petition
• Atonement

Csaba - Step 11

(excerpt) - 11.7.

11.7, I RECOGNIZE HIS WILL FOR ME.

In the previous section, I wrote about different types of prayers (adoration, thanksgiving, petition, atonement). I also mentioned that I don’t tend to ask God for various things to acquire or happen. So, what do I ask for? Exactly what the Eleventh Step mentions: 
"... asking only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out."

The Steps Book discusses this on page 104:

"We might be tempted to pray for a precisely outlined solution and to help others – naturally, according to our own conception. In this case, we are asking God to arrange things according to our will. Therefore, it’s important to examine such requests and see their true nature. Even when we request specific things, it’s good to add this condition: '... if it is Your will.' We simply ask that God plant within us as complete an understanding of His will for us today as possible, and grant us the grace to carry it out. During the day, when we have to make a decision, we can pause and say this prayer again: 'Your will, not mine, be done!'"

The same message is found on page 106:

"We also come to realize that we feel God’s guidance to the extent that we stop demanding Him to arrange things according to our plans."

I also read about this in the November 20th Daily Meditation:

"I must never forget that I am responsible for the effort, and God is responsible for the outcome. I will be able to 'let go and let God' if I humbly repeat: 'Your will, not mine, be done.' If I patiently and persistently seek His will for me, I will be freed from the pain of selfish expectations."

Let go! Trust in God!
Let go! Let God!

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Guide for Section 11.7:

11.7, I Recognize His Will for Me.

Reflect on and write down (or think about) the following:

• Do you always pray for what you and others need most?
• Are you overburdening God with self-centered (ego-driven) needs?
• Do you always add to your requests: "... if it is Your will!"?
• Do you still sometimes want to arrange things according to your own plans?

Practice the following daily:
My God!

• What do You want me to do?
• Where do You want me to go?
• What do You want me to say, and to whom?

Csaba - Step 11

(excerpt) - 11.8.

11.8, I OFFER A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING.

Earlier, I wrote about different types of prayers (adoration, thanksgiving, petition, atonement).

Now, I’d like to share my prayer of thanksgiving, which I say quietly to myself each night before going to sleep:

My God, I am grateful for:

1. Being able to live without lacking necessities,
2. Being alive and healthy,
3. Growing spiritually, my awareness increasing,
4. Being part of AA, and improving my human relationships,
5. Finding You.

At any time of day, I fill my heart with gratitude if I feel even a little down. At those times, I simply say to myself: How wonderful!

I often think of things (like when I see people who are suffering) that no longer weigh me down because I have entrusted them to God. For instance:

- I’m grateful I no longer need to drink.
- I’m grateful I no longer need to be afraid.
- I’m grateful I no longer need to suffer.
- I’m grateful I no longer need to resent.
- I’m grateful I no longer need to feel anger.
- I’m grateful I no longer need to judge.
- I’m grateful I no longer crave others’ understanding.
- I’m grateful I no longer crave others’ attention.
- I’m grateful I no longer crave others’ love.
- I’m grateful I no longer desire to be the best.
- I’m grateful I no longer need to be right.
- I’m grateful I’m no longer bothered by others’ behavior.
- I’m grateful I’m no longer bothered by my own emotions.
- I’m grateful I’m no longer bothered by the thoughts that arise in my mind.

Psychologists now know this too: The antidote to depression is gratitude!

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Guide for Section 11.8:

11.8, I Give a Prayer of Gratitude

Practice your personal gratitude prayer—at least in the evenings—something like this:

God, I am grateful for:

• my life,  
• not needing to drink,  
• my spiritual growth.

Csaba - Step 11

(excerpt) - 11.9.

11.9, I Praise Him!

To conclude my 11th step, allow me to share the prayers of praise to God that I recite anytime throughout the day, whether I'm in a good mood or if I'm not but wish to be:

- Gloria in Excelsis Deo! – Glory to God in the highest!  
- Soli Deo Gloria! – To God alone be the glory!  
- Sanctus! – Holy are You!  
- Benedictus! – Blessed are You!  
- Hosanna in Excelsis Deo! – Hosanna in the highest!  
- Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever!

I regularly sing in a choir. We often perform Masses, typically set to the Latin liturgy. My favorite is the "Gloria" section, which in its full text is as follows in Hungarian:

"Glory to God in the highest,  
And on earth peace to people of goodwill!  
We praise You, we bless You,  
We worship You, we glorify You.  
We give You thanks for Your great glory.  
Lord God, heavenly King,  
Almighty God and Father.  
Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten Son.  
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,  
You take away the sins of the world; have mercy on us.  
You take away the sins of the world; hear our prayer.  
You are seated at the right hand of the Father; have mercy on us.  
For You alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord,  
You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,  
With the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father!  

Amen."

Reflect on it!

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Guide for Step 11.9

11.9, I Praise Him!

Write down (reflect on) what the following statements mean to you:

• Glory to God in the highest!  
• To God alone be the glory!  
• Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever!

Practice these statements whenever they come to mind!

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Self-Reflection Questions for Step 11 in AA

1. Do you know what the 3 main components of our spiritual toolkit are?
2. Do you regularly read AA literature?
3. Do you read other spiritual literature?
4. Do you take time to reflect on what you read?
5. Do you practice meditation exercises?
6. Do you pray?
7. Do you still burden God with requests concerning your own desires?
8. Have you recognized His will for you yet?
9. Do you give a prayer of gratitude?
10. And a prayer of praise?