“But we must be careful not to drift into worry, remorse or morbid reflection, for that would diminish our usefulness to others.” (Page 86, Big Book)
The programme encourages me to look at the past only for the purposes of inventory or hauling out a story for sponsees etc. in order to illustrate a point.
Until processed, the past is radioactive. Inventory is dangerous if not contained in sessions of a fixed start and end time and duration. It must not be allowed to occupy my mind generally.
Rather like scientists going into a radioactive setting, who have a limited amount of time to perform their work before the dose of radioactivity received rises above safe levels, I have a short time to do the work.
If, after the prescribed time, I’m not done, I’ll have to come back to it the next day.
If I stare for too long, my ability to look without prejudice is in any case impaired, and what I write will be distorted.
Get in there, do the job, and get out again, pronto.