Step 6

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I would like to share with you how I took the 6th step, which led me to:

6. I WAS COMPLETELY READY FOR GOD TO FREE ME FROM MY CHARACTER DEFECTS.

But how? The Big Book states on page 71:

“Upon returning home, let’s find a place where we can spend an hour quietly, thoroughly reflecting on all that we have done. From the depths of our hearts, we thank God that we now know Him better. We take this book off the shelf and open it to the 12 Steps. We read the first 5 steps carefully, asking ourselves whether we might have overlooked something, because we are now laying the groundwork to finally feel like truly free people. Have we done a reliable job? Has everything been put in its place? Have we held back on anything? Have we overlooked something important?
If we can satisfactorily answer these questions, we will focus our attention on the Sixth Step. We have emphasized that willingness is essential. Are we now ready for God to free us from everything we have acknowledged as objectionable? Can He free us from everything—from every single defect? If we are still clinging to something and do not want to let it go, then we ask God to help us overcome ourselves.”

This is no small task. Many people say that the 6th step is simply saying, “I’m ready!” For me, it wasn’t that simple. I studied the 6th step in our 12/12 book multiple times, and I finally took the following steps:

1. I believed that God could free me from everything I had acknowledged as objectionable.
2. I realized that I didn’t have to love my character defects, and I decided that I wouldn’t cling to them.
3. I recognized that I sometimes enjoyed negative emotions and thoughts. I made a list of them.
4. I recognized my ego manifestations (labeling, judging, dramatizing).
5. I listed my self-centered needs (validation, attention, understanding, love).
6. I listed my external identifications (past, life story, family, education, work).
7. I listed my internal convictions (belief system, political beliefs, opinions).

Guidelines for the step section:

As an introduction to the step work:

- Study the 6th step in the Step Book!
- Attend meetings that discuss the 6th step!
- Talk to your sponsor about the 6th step!

6.1. I believed that God could free me from everything I had acknowledged as objectionable.

“Are we now ready for God to free us from everything we have acknowledged as objectionable?” the Big Book asks regarding the 6th step. To answer this, I broke the question down:

1. Do I recognize the objectionable? – This is the subject of Step 4. During my inventory of faults, I tried to recognize the objectionable elements in my behavior, speech, emotions, thoughts, and mindset.
2. Do I acknowledge my faults? – This was Step 5: I acknowledged the true nature of my faults (my self-centered way of thinking) to God, myself, and another person.
3. Am I clinging to my faults or am I ready to let them go? – This is the 6th step itself.
4. Can I rely on God for letting go? – This will be Step 7.

In order to take Step 7 and rely on God for letting go of my faults, I need to reach a new level of faith in Step 6. I must believe that God can free me from any character defect. The 12 Steps and 12 Traditions book provided clear guidance on this question on page 64:

“Of course, regarding the often-debated question of whether God can – and in certain circumstances will – free us from our character defects, almost every A.A. member answers without hesitation: Yes. For us, this is not theoretical at all, but one of the most significant facts of our lives, which is usually stated like this:

>>I lost, there’s no denying it. My willpower was helpless against alcohol. Neither environmental changes, nor my family’s attempts, nor the efforts of friends, doctors, or clergymen worked. I simply could not stop drinking, and it seemed that all human help was in vain. But when I became willing to do a thorough housecleaning and asked for the Higher Power as I understand Him to free me, the compulsion to drink ceased. He simply uprooted it from me.<<

If we have already been granted complete freedom from the obsession of alcohol, why shouldn’t we be able to achieve complete freedom from all other difficulties or faults along the same path?”

I firmly believe that God can free me from any of my faults. There are no exceptions. No excuses. No loopholes...

Guidelines for the step part:

Write down (reflect on) whether:

- You can recognize the objectionable elements in your behavior, speech, emotions, thoughts, and mindset? Is the inventory going well?
- Do you acknowledge your faults? To God? To yourself? To others?
- Are you clinging to your faults, or are you ready to let them go?
- Can God free anyone from any character defect?
- Is it possible for God to free you from any of your character defects?

Practice the following (or something similar):

- God, I believe that You can free me from any character defect.

6.2. I realized that I didn’t have to love my character defects, and I decided that I wouldn’t cling to them.

Our 12 Steps and 12 Traditions book states at the bottom of page 67:

“We must recognize that we actually enjoy some of our defects. We truly love them.

- Who doesn’t feel a little—perhaps a lot—superior to someone else?
- Isn’t it true that we gladly hide greed behind the mask of ambition?
- Loving lust seems absurd. Yet how many people carry love on their lips and believe what they say, while deep down in their souls they nurture lust?
- Self-justifying anger can also be enjoyable. Perversely, we find satisfaction in having many people burden us because it gives us a sense of superiority.
- If our gluttony is not destructive, we have a refined expression for it: ‘We’re indulging ourselves.’
- How often do we work hard just to be able to slack off afterward, but we call this ‘resting.’”

I’ve observed that similar “rationalizations” are always tricks of the ego to avoid change. The ego tries to convince me that I’m fine just the way I am since I will never be perfect. I shouldn’t even want to be.

This is just as much a trap for me as when I was smoking, and after a few unsuccessful attempts to quit, I began to think that I actually enjoyed smoking. The ego was fighting against the change there too. To maintain its self-esteem, it had to convince me that I loved being a “smoker.” But I didn’t love it. Yet I was almost convinced...

The book also describes this phenomenon:

“Many immediately ask this: <<How can we be able to accept the Sixth Step in all aspects? After all, this is perfection!>> It sounds like a tricky question, but in reality, it’s not. Only the First Step – in which we acknowledged one hundred percent that we are powerless (against alcohol) – can we do absolutely perfectly.

The other Steps present us with the IDEAL OF PERFECTION. Goals we look up to; a standard by which we measure our progress. In this light, the Sixth Step is still difficult, but by no means impossible. The only urgent thing is to get started and keep trying.”

Well, then I’ll get started!

Guidelines for the step part:

Write down (reflect on) whether:

- Have you ever felt superior to others?
- Have you ever disguised your greed as diligence?
- Have you ever flattered someone just to get something from them?
- Do you enjoy plotting revenge against others in your mind?
- Do you ever consider your binge eating as self-indulgence?
- Do you ever label your shopping sprees as recreation?
- Do you ever lie about your substance use as self-healing?
- Does the “good” prevent you from being “perfect”?
- What character defects have you clung to so far?
- Why did Jesus say: “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect”?

6.3. I recognized that I sometimes enjoyed negative emotions and thoughts. I made a list of them.

"We must recognize that we actually enjoy some of our mistakes. We truly love them," writes the step workbook. So, I will begin to list. Where have I sometimes recognized that I love my mistakes? When have I enjoyed negative emotions and thoughts?

- For example, when I talked about my past—say at a meeting—and my "funny" alcoholic stories were liked by others. This filled me with a good feeling. I felt special.
- Or when I thought that I ruined my environment (my marriage, my relationships with my mother, my children) with my drinking and that I had made my own life hopeless, sometimes it felt good to deeply immerse myself in this guilt and self-pity. How unfortunate I am! And just waiting for a miracle... Maybe someone will come who will help... Especially a doctor. Or rather, two!
- Or when I repeatedly ran through my ugliest relapses in my mind, lamenting why I lifted the first glass. And I hoped that perhaps it could somehow be undone.
- Or when I thought about the future with fear and felt a tingling in my stomach from stress, I believed this was "the excitement of life." Of course, immediately the desire to drink came to mind...
- Or when I resented someone because I was disappointed in them, meaning they acted differently than I expected, then various images of "sweet revenge" filled my mind for a long time. I replayed in my inner projector what I would do (to them) and how they would realize who I am! And it felt good to know how strong I am...
- Or when I should have long ago done some self-imposed obligation, but I just procrastinated, thinking, "Don't they know what else I have to do! After all, I am such an important person that I don't have time for these trivial matters!"
- Or when I envied others because they had something that I didn't, I imagined how they would lose that something and I enjoyed their future suffering in my mind. After all, they don't deserve it. This thing should be mine.
- Or when I vainly thought of myself as better than others, that felt good too. Because I am more skilled. Because I am stronger. Because I am smarter. By the way, I really am... Oh, no...
- Or when something wasn't going well in my life (or others'), then I could complain about someone, like the government, an office, a party, or a social group. And it was easy to find sympathetic companions for this, since who wouldn't hate the higher powers or those of a different kind?
- Or when I saw others in front of me who were "less valuable" than I am, because they were, say, fatter or dumber, it felt good to judge them. Or even just based on their appearance: "Look how ridiculously they dressed!"
- Or when I firmly believed that certain things are indeed expected from others. And when they did not meet those expectations, I immediately shouted "sin" and wanted "punishment." And I also played out in my mind the various forms of punishment. And I enjoyed this.
- Or any time I thought I was separate from others, that I am not like them because I am SPECIAL, then this was the voice of my ego. And I felt this was a reward. But it isn't.
- And when I imagined that it would be this way or that way, and how well I figured out the order of the world, that felt good too. Especially when I read online half-truths like "Never give up!"

After all this, I must be completely ready to let go of the following emotions and thoughts in Step 7:

- my dark past
- guilt
- self-pity
- lamentation
- fear
- stress
- resentment
- disappointments
- aggression
- procrastination
- envy
- vanity
- complaining
- judgment
- expectations
- selfishness
- my own will

Guidance for the step section:

Write down (think about) what:

- Negative emotions and thoughts are still poisoning your soul?
- For example, do you still occasionally feel shame, guilt, self-pity, lamentation, fear, stress, longing, desire, resentment, anger, revenge, expectation, pride, envy, vanity, jealousy, malice?
- Do these feelings sometimes provide you with secret satisfaction? Do you enjoy any of them?
- Do you sometimes enjoy being 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 recognized my ego manifestations.

Previously, I listed the negative feelings and thoughts that might be obstacles to my spiritual growth since I sometimes enjoy them. Moving forward, I contemplated what my main character flaws are that I need to rid myself of. In the Big Book, I read (several times):  
"Selfishness—self-centeredness! We think this is the root of all our troubles. [...]  

We believe that our troubles are actually caused by ourselves, they stem from us. The alcoholic is one of the most extreme examples of excessive self-will, although he generally does not see it this way. We alcoholics must first rid ourselves of egocentrism. We are compelled to; otherwise, it will finish us off! God enables release."

In Step 6, I need to get a clear picture of the nature of my ego so that I can let it go and entrust it to God. For this purpose, I read Chapter 6 of the Step Workbook several times. Additionally, I studied the teachings of Buddha and Jesus. I read Tolle and Hawkins, Tepperwein and De Mello, Balogh Béla and A Course in Miracles. I also explored the works of Karen Casey, Osho, Gunagriha, and the Bhagavad Gita. So, everything that is spiritual and concerns the ego.  

Ultimately, I came to the following conclusions:

The central thought of the ego is separation. Whenever I thought that I am separate from others, that I am not like others because I am SPECIAL, then this was the voice of the ego. Of course, I am special in my own way, but then everyone else is too. Or if others are not special, then neither am I. I can choose...

And what are the main manifestations of the ego that often speak in my mind? In my experience, they are as follows:

LABELING

To avoid putting too much effort into getting to know others, the ego tends to extreme simplifications. This is called stereotyping in psychology. We say things like, “Oh, that fat one,” or “Well, that gypsy,” or “That little faggot.” Such labels imprison both the other and our own thinking, making it hard to break free.

JUDGING

The ego constantly makes judgments: this is “this,” that is “that.” This is “good,” this is “bad.” It does all this with a sense of moral superiority. Even Adam and Eve practiced this in Paradise after eating from the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” They were cast out from there. From here began the suffering of the soul... But all this is not God’s doing, but the work of the ego!

QUALIFYING

When I see others before me who are “less valuable” than I am, because they are, say, fatter or dumber, it feels good to look down on them: “Look how stupid they are!” Or just based on their appearance: “Look how ridiculously they are dressed!” The ego can enhance itself by devaluing others. This is often—incorrectly—referred to as self-esteem.

DRAMA

The ego is constantly dramatizing. Sometimes it ruminates on the past, sometimes it worries about the future. It constantly projects, watches movies. It bombards with imaginary dialogues and possible scenarios that threaten with terrible dangers. The essence is that it does not want to be present in the moment. Because it simply does not exist there...

EXPECTATIONS

When I think that certain things can indeed be expected from others, that is also the voice of the ego. And when others do not meet these expectations, the ego immediately shouts “sin” and wants “punishment.” It also plays out various forms of punishment in the mind’s projector. At the same time, behind every expectation lurks a desire to control others. We expect certain behaviors from others to ensure our future.

ENTITLEMENTS

The ego tries to convince me that there are things that are “due” to me and that these things are “important.” For example, to be understood, to be acknowledged, or to be loved. The ego frames these as fundamental “human” needs, while they are simply self-centered demands that I can give up at any time.  
In the next step section, I will deal with these in a bit more detail...

Guidance for the step section:

Write down (think about) the following:

- In what ways are you special? How do you differ from others?
- And are others special too? Or do they just think they are?
- Do you label others, reducing their personalities to one-word forms?
- Do you pass moral judgments over people or events?
- Do you tend to qualify others, holding a dismissive opinion of them?
- Do you dramatize? Do you get anxious about little things? Do you believe in the end of the world?
- Do you still have expectations of others (especially in personal life)?
- Do you believe in the legitimacy of basic human needs? What are they?
- What do you think you “deserve”?

6.5. I have listed my self-centered demands.

In the previous step, I wrote about the realization that the ego tries to convince me that there are things that I "deserve," and these things are "important." The ego frames these as basic "human" needs, while they are simply ego-centered demands that I can let go of at any time if I ask for God’s help. What have I found?

OPINION  
My "self" opinion naturally reflects the truth, which is why it is "important" for everyone to know. Moreover, I generally understand things better, so I know a lot more than others. It feels good when someone asks for my opinion, as it shows that "I" am better.

UNDERSTANDING  
It is important for everyone to understand exactly what I want (to say, to achieve, to realize), and that everyone behaves understandingly towards me when I struggle with the major problems of my life. After all, "I" am special, and my ideas are also special, as are my problems.

ATTENTION  
If people do not pay attention to me, it feels like they are disregarding me, as if I am "nothing." However, "I" am not just anyone. I deserve special attention because what I say or do is "important." If they do not pay attention to me, they will not do what I suggest or what is expected.

TRUTH  
Since I am smart and experienced (having trained in the school of life), it is natural that the truth is what I think. Often, I do not understand why others have not yet reached the level I am at. I cannot let them go astray; I must enlighten them about the reality, so they can praise my great intelligence. If someone disagrees, I must either convince or defeat them in a debate.

LOVE  
It is undeniable that "I" must be loved. I deserve love. It feels good when others have a positive attitude towards me and express their love. Without love, what would a person become? I indeed demand to be loved because "I" am such an important person in the world that it should be obvious to everyone. And how could I love others if they do not love me?

SELF-AGGRANDIZEMENT  
With my great intellect and experience, I "deserve" a good job, a good salary, social status, prestige, recognition, rewards, money, property, and power. The more I desire these things, the more I deserve them because if I desire them, I must get them. Otherwise, the world is wrong, just as it is...

MIND, INTELLIGENCE  
I already have more intelligence than others, but as I grow older, this continues to increase. There are indeed people with better memories, who learn languages more easily, or remember melodies and lyrics more quickly, but that can only be some random injustice. If someone has a higher IQ than I do, they are probably a fraud or a psychopath.

SUPERIORITY  
Of course, "I" am more than others. I progress faster and achieve more. I know better; I do it more professionally. I have more possessions. More people love me, and more people pay attention to my opinions. At least, that’s how it should be. After all, I am "me," not someone else.

GOODNESS  
"I" know what is good. I also know what is good for me, what would be good for others, and what would be good for the world. I cannot allow the world to deteriorate. I must fight for good things to prevail, and that others do not do stupid or bad things. The sinners must be punished so they can learn from it!

VICTORY  
"I" am the winner! At least most of the time. Or sometimes. It’s a pity it’s not more often... Victory is such a good thing! After all, if I am better, then I must win. This shows that I am the better one. If the other wins, it is just a temporary coincidence. Next time, I will show them who the ace is!

HAPPINESS  
I "deserve" happiness. I must be happy. Always. Continuously. If that is not the case, it can only mean that "there is a disturbance in the force." It must be fixed immediately. Something must happen to set it right. It’s a pity that I can’t drink because that would fix it immediately. I must do something to be happy right away...

WILL  
The human will exists to make things happen the way "I" want them to. My will is particularly important because I am special and important. Much more special and much more important than others. Therefore, I want everything to be as I want it. And I also want this to be the case...
 
Well: These things are, on one hand, not important, and on the other, they are not things I deserve. I am therefore willing to let go of the following demands:

- that I be asked
- that I be understood
- that I be acknowledged
- that I be loved
- that I be right
- that I be successful
- that I be smarter
- that I be more
- that I be good
- that I win
- that I be happy
- that I want anything.

In Step 7, I will regularly practice these releases. I will follow the example of St. Francis of Assisi, who prayed as follows (see Step Book page 101!):

“Lord, grant that I may not seek 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. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.”

Guide for the step section:

Write down (think about) 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 with 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 for you to always be right? How special is your truth?
- Is it important for others to love you? Is it more important than loving others?
- Do you want to be successful in the world? And if so: Are you on the right track?
- In what ways are you more 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 my ego-centered demands,

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

6.6. I Have Listed My External Identifications

I delved deeper into the ego within my mind. I realized that it generates false thoughts because its self-image is distorted. It completely lacks spirituality and identification with the Higher Self. Instead, the ego defines itself and attempts to boost its self-esteem by identifying with all sorts of external and internal factors, thus enhancing its DISTINCTness, that is, its separation from others. First, I thought about the external factors. Here’s what I came up with:

MY LIFE STORY  
"The essence of everything is its story" — I learned this (or something similar) from dialectical materialism. And indeed: I am where I am because I did this and that in the past. So I cannot be anything other than what follows from my past. The ego says. But this is a false statement. The ego wants to know the future at all costs, so it projects the past. Yet between the two lies the present, the only reality where I can do anything, even good. I don’t have to identify with my past; I can easily identify with my Higher Power, which is referred to in various spiritual literature as the Presence. In AA, we refer to it as: Just for today!

MY UPBRINGING  
The ego’s false claim is: You are what you were raised to be! If I believe that, then yes. As long as I believed it, that was indeed the case. My parents, guardians, teachers, bosses, the media, and who knows what other influences programmed a lot of nonsense into me. For example, "Be strong!", "Others want to harm you!", "You are guilty!", and things like that. But all these bad programs can be reprogrammed with the help of the New Program.

MY SCHOOLS, MY KNOWLEDGE  
I have always been proud of the schools I attended. Physics major in high school. Budapest University of Technology and Economics. Eötvös Loránd University! And that I have three degrees. I am not only an engineer but also an economist and a sociologist. And I have a language certificate. I can also program. And I have about half a dozen higher-level certificates. This is who I am! Says the ego. Without the help of AA, I still couldn’t manage to stop drinking. Although I received medical help (an implant), I still didn’t! But the Higher Power is stronger than the ego. I just need to let go of the misconception that I am identical to my education.

MY ABILITIES  
I have a lot of good abilities. I can do various things. For example, I am good at sports. I drive well. I play the guitar well. I sing well. I speak well. I can… I can be proud of all of these. At the same time, if any of them were to cease, would that mean I am no longer myself? For instance, because I haven’t played the guitar lately, should I feel bad about myself? That I have become less? The ego says so. God says otherwise.

MY WORK  
I have worked in various positions. Social expectations (and the ego) say that I should constantly move up the ladder. If you perform a "lower" or less qualified job, it is a step back. Well, I have also broken with this misconception in connection with the program. Currently, I am doing a job that I would have considered unimaginable even three years ago. But today I no longer say, "I am this," but simply say, "I am doing this."

MY RELATIONSHIPS  
Our relationships naturally have a significant impact on our lives. However, I do not think I need to identify with the groups I associate with. If I thought so, I would keep myself away from certain circles out of fear that the environment would "suck me in." But today I no longer have to do that; I can understand any community if I want to, and I can connect with them either mentally or physically.

MY APPEARANCE  
For a long time, I identified myself with my external appearance. I considered it an important element of my life that I am shorter than average, yet stronger than average, that I am chubby yet not balding, and that I tan slowly, even though I don’t like my skin being white. Looking in the mirror, I saw "myself." I thought, "This is who I am; I cannot be any different!" But I can be! I can be anything. The question is whether I want to be different. Because then I would be that way, and not this way. In reality, external appearance is not significant.

MY FAMILY, MY NATIONALITY  
I was born the child of my father and mother. Half Swabian, half Hungarian. Then I got to know their parents. Then I was three-quarters German and only a quarter Hungarian. Then I learned who their parents were, and I was then very little Hungarian, but an eighth Turkish, an eighth Bulgarian. Then I was proud of that part of my relatives who "achieved something" in life, and I looked down on that part who fell behind. As if I had anything to do with them. These were also false identifications.

MY ILLNESSES  
I have inherited and acquired illnesses that will never go away. For example, my myopia, my alcohol sensitivity, or my lumbago. However, instead of attributing too much significance to them, I have learned to live with them. For example, I don’t care that I see blurry far away. It doesn’t cause a problem. Or, for example, I wash my face with one hand in the morning while leaning on the sink with the other so that my back doesn’t go out. There’s no problem with that. Or, for example, I don’t bring alcohol into my body, so my brain doesn’t go haywire. There’s no problem with that either.

MY ACHIEVEMENTS  
For a long time, I thought I should be proud of my achievements. At work, for example, I hung my professional certificates, commendations, powerlifting results, bodybuilding pictures, marathon running results, and photos on the wall. Oh, and the kids’ photos. Among colleagues, we humorously referred to it as the "ego wall." I thought I needed this to boost my - ruined by alcoholism - self-esteem. But I don’t.

MY POSSESSIONS  
Like others, for a long time, I measured a person’s worth by what they have. Big house, big person. Small car, small person. I am "in a panel apartment," he is "in a family house." I am "driving a Trabant," he is "in a Merc." I no longer think this way. I don’t have as many problems.

MY PHYSICAL BODY  
One of the ego’s greatest delusions is that it identifies with the physical body. It believes that this is a constant, separate thing from the world, in which it can define itself. However, the body is not constant; it is constantly changing, just like the world itself. It is now a cliché that the body’s cells completely renew every seven years, so this body is no longer the same body. The body is not separate either. It is constantly in contact with and "communicates" with the world. To say nothing of: it exchanges substances; this is also called metabolism. There is no sharp boundary between Me and the Other. And now I am not just thinking of sex.

For example, if I sense someone’s scent, it means that a piece of their body has collided with my nasal mucosa. The latest research has also shown that brain waves can affect others from a great distance. So, the el-SEPARATION is a faulty and unsustainable endeavor on the part of the ego. In other words, the essence is: I am not the body!

In Step 7, I will therefore practice the following daily:

I AM NOT IDENTICAL TO:

- my life story
- my upbringing
- my education
- my knowledge
- my abilities
- my job
- my relationships
- my appearance
- my family tree
- my nationality
- my illnesses
- my achievements
- my possessions
- my physical body

Guide for the step section:

Write down (reflect on) the following:

- How unique is your life story?
- Is your upbringing important to you? Who raised you to be who you are?
- Is education important to you? Your own or others'?
- Do you have any special abilities? What are you better at than others?
- How do you feel about your appearance? Are you prettier than others? Or the opposite?
- What significant achievements have you accomplished in your life? In sports, work, or other areas?
- Do you have possessions you are proud of?
- To what extent do you identify with your own body? Do you believe that you are your body?

Make a list for yourself in the following way:

I am not identical to:

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

6.7. I listed my internal beliefs

Continuing to analyze the ego operating in my mind, I reflected on those internal factors with which it identifies itself, thereby increasing its SEPARATENESS, or its separation from others. I concluded the following:

MY BELIEF SYSTEM
I believe in this, I believe in that. I do not believe in this, I do not believe in that. I believe in one God. Not like the unfortunate atheists. I am already a believer, and I am sometimes proud of it. That “I” have come to faith. You are still suffering... (So my ego is spiritual too!)

MY POLITICAL VIEWS
I am liberal. This is what drives the world forward. I fight on the good side. Conservatives only hinder progress. Nationalists especially. Not to mention fascists. Poor fools. They do not understand the flow of the world. Unlike me...

MY SOCIAL STATUS
I move in circles you could only dream of. Among my acquaintances, there are many business owners, company directors, parliamentary representatives, ministry people, mayors, bankers, and wealthy golfers. I belong to the elite. – says the ego.

MY REACTIONS
How I react to things really shows who I am. After all, my subconscious reactions are those that come from deep within, containing all the "programs" of my entire life. These manifestations are truly sincere. At least, that's what the ego thinks because it doesn’t want change.

MY MEMORIES
My whole life is in my memories. This is who I am. This is how I was and this is how I will remain. Memories cannot be erased or changed. And they shouldn’t be! Because then what is left of me? - asks the ego.

MY EMOTIONS
I cannot control my emotions. If I am angry, then I am angry. If I am sad, then I am sad. That’s just who I am. I can't help it. That is me!

MY OPINION
I know what is right. I have an opinion on everything that reflects the truth. I must share this with others because their opinions are often incorrect. I cannot let them wander in the world. I must enlighten them about the truth.

MY THOUGHTS
I think, therefore I am. I am what I think. I am the one who thinks these thoughts. Who else would think what I think, if not me? And what I think is, of course, the truth. After all, I see the world clearly.

Why would I think that I see it incorrectly since I see it with my own eyes? Others do not see the world through my eyes, which is why they see it wrong. I must share my thoughts with everyone so that the truth spreads!

In Step 7, I will therefore practice the following on a daily basis:

I AM NOT IDENTICAL TO:

- my belief system
- my political views
- my social status
- my reactions
- my memories
- my emotions
- my opinion
- my thoughts

And now I am:

Completely ready for God to free me from my character shortcomings.

Guide for the step section:

Write down (reflect on) the following:

- How unique is your belief system?
- Is it important what political views a person has?
- Do you observe your own and others' social status?
- 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 usually confirm your emotional outbursts with: "this is me"?
- Do you consider your own thoughts important? Do you have many individual thoughts?

Make a list for yourself in the following way:

I am not identical to:

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

6.8. Check Questions – for Step 6

Before we move on to Step 7, do a little self-check. Answer the following questions for yourselves:

1. Are you ready for God to free you from everything you recognize as objectionable?
2. Do you love some of your character flaws? Are you still attached to them?
3. Do you sometimes enjoy negative emotions and thoughts? Can you recognize them?
4. Can you recognize your ego's manifestations (labeling, judging, dramatizing, selfishness)?
5. Can you list your self-centered needs (validation, attention, understanding, love)?
6. Do you recognize your external identification factors? (past, story, family, education, job)?
7. Do you recognize your internal beliefs (belief system, political convictions, opinions)?

Short explanations for the check questions of Step 6:

1. God is capable of this, and He will do it if we call on Him for help.
2. Let it go, trust God!
3. The prerequisite for letting go is recognition.
4. It's a matter of practice.
5. Keep trying!
6. Start writing the list, then expand it!
7. Start writing the list, then expand it!