In AA, we're asked to go to any lengths.
Why would I do that?
Because I cannot win in single-handed combat against (a) my alcoholism (b) my ego.
I do not like the effects of living with active alcoholism.
I do not like the effects of living with an active ego.
To win, I must surrender.
To surrender, I must drop my own ideas entirely and adopt a new set of ideas entirely.
(Footnote: any of my own ideas that are true and helpful will be returned to me in the new set of ideas, so I needn't fear relinquishing anything of value).
Once I adopt a new set of ideas, all of my thinking and all of my behaviour should be in accordance with this new set of ideas if (a) I am to be successful in the new life and (b) I am to be conflict-free in the process.
Surrender brings about relaxation.
Any state other than complete relaxation suggests incomplete surrender.
What this means in practice is that I surrender to the collective good sense of those who to my mind set a good example, for ideas and the consequential thinking and behaviour.
Instant and complete surrender does not exist, but progress can be made towards it.
I can fail only if, when conflicted between old ideas and new ideas (or old/new thinking/behaviour), I side with the old ideas, thinking and behaviour.
The only question is therefore this: which set of ideas will I side with?
Why would I do that?
Because I cannot win in single-handed combat against (a) my alcoholism (b) my ego.
I do not like the effects of living with active alcoholism.
I do not like the effects of living with an active ego.
To win, I must surrender.
To surrender, I must drop my own ideas entirely and adopt a new set of ideas entirely.
(Footnote: any of my own ideas that are true and helpful will be returned to me in the new set of ideas, so I needn't fear relinquishing anything of value).
Once I adopt a new set of ideas, all of my thinking and all of my behaviour should be in accordance with this new set of ideas if (a) I am to be successful in the new life and (b) I am to be conflict-free in the process.
Surrender brings about relaxation.
Any state other than complete relaxation suggests incomplete surrender.
What this means in practice is that I surrender to the collective good sense of those who to my mind set a good example, for ideas and the consequential thinking and behaviour.
Instant and complete surrender does not exist, but progress can be made towards it.
I can fail only if, when conflicted between old ideas and new ideas (or old/new thinking/behaviour), I side with the old ideas, thinking and behaviour.
The only question is therefore this: which set of ideas will I side with?