“a few set prayers which emphasize the principles we have been discussing” (Chapter 6, Big Book)
“There is a direct linkage among self-examination, meditation, and prayer.” (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions)
What I do when I’m out of sorts:
- Raise consciousness
Saying personal or off-the-peg prayers, listening to religious or spiritual radio stations, using video or audio apps with classes or prayers, reading or listening to religious or spiritual texts: anything that stresses the nothingness of self and the allness of God and my job being to serve God. The religion that the Big Book points us towards is religion that underlines the principles contained in the Book. I do meditate, but I use meditation that directs my thinking to understanding and applying spiritual principles and directs my attention away from self and towards God. All of this boils down to lifting my face to God. The original facelift.
- Inventory
I do not try to do in-depth inventory when I am very disturbed, because it will be skewed and psychological rather than moral. The simple spotting of gross errors and obvious corrective measures suffice to begin with. Once I have started to emerge from the darkness, I will be able to see clearly, and then I can do full inventory accurately and swiftly.
Detailed moral inventory can be as simple as this:
- Materialism: concern with material matters above spiritual matters
- Atheism: placing self as the centre and objective of my life
- Seeking certainty, security, and privilege in the world
- Setting my own goals rather than doing God’s will
- Designing my life rather than watching God unfold it
- Resistance to ups and downs
- Failure to trust God’s providence
- Preoccupation with own thoughts
- Confidence in my own assessment
- Gloom about the future
Corrective measures:
- Trust God
- Seek God’s guidance
- Get on with the next right action
- Enjoy the day
What’s your experience?