S T U D Y G U I D E
T O T H E
A A B I G B O O K
With emphasis upon Principles before Personalities
this Study Guide presents
“A SPIRITUAL VIEW BEYOND THE LIMITS OF TRADITIONAL RELIGION”
by Ken W. as - “a member of Alcoholics Anonymous”
(see Forward to First Edition)
FORMAT REVISED AS OF JULY 2002
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AUTHOR’S PREFACE TO THIS STUDY GUIDE:
This is a Study Guide to the book Alcoholics Anonymous. It is dedicated to those who want recovery from alcoholism, but have difficulty with the word "God". Especially, as that word gets used by individuals who embrace traditional religious concepts of what it means to them. Be advised that other ideas and interpretations, which are consistent with the basic AA text, also have value and usefulness in the recovery process.
Should you choose to follow this Study Guide, you will be presented ideas which this author has found to be consistent with the basic text of AA. However, some of those ideas go beyond the limitations many traditional religions have in their interpretation of the word "God" and what that word means for them. Readers who are open minded (see Appendix II) may discover new thinking about "a power greater than yourself".
The three-letter word "God" is generally used to communicate a concept of infinite knowledge and power. Concepts, other than those utilized by traditional religion, do exist. One fundamental idea of God, based upon the basic text of AA, (see pg 55), is being offered in this Study Guide. Some individual alcoholics may find the approach is useful in their personal recovery.
It is self-evident that no person is qualified to speak for God, nor for AA as a whole. The vital spiritual experience, necessary for recovery from alcoholism, is intensely personal to the individual alcoholic. That is precisely the point. A readers concept of Godneed not follow traditional lines.
The experience of the first successfully sober members of AA tells us:
"Why don't you choose your own conception of God?"
(AA pg 12)
"We found the Great Reality deep down within us.In the last analysis it is only there that He may be found. It was so with us."
(AA pg 55)
Regardless of whatever approach you choose for yourself, you can be assured that:
THERE IS A POWER FOR GOOD,
AND YOU CAN UTILIZE IT IN YOUR LIFE.
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SECTION A02:
HOW TO USE THIS STUDY GUIDE:
COMMENTS:
“FROM REPETITION COMES RECOGNITION”
Any reader of this Study Guide material will quickly recognize that the author repeats numerous points of view with great frequency. There are similarly repeated references to the same pages of the AA basic text for recovery from alcoholism. This is intentional.
For those who are alcoholic, the entire message of AA could be condensed into a simple one-line expression:
“DON’T DRINK - NO MATTER WHAT”.
Nothing further would be required as a message of sobriety.
Due to individual differences in a conscious awareness of the Great Reality of life, on life’s terms, there are differences in individual alcoholics. What is understood by one may not be clear to another. That is precisely the point.
Certain mental attitudes repeatedly appear within the basic text for recovery from alcoholism. Comments are made, by the author about those ideas, emotions and attitudes as they repeatedly appear in the basic text. (see pg. 27). Many are repetitious. They appear to have significance for any alcoholic having difficulty reconciling use of the “three-letter word God” in the AA Big Bookwith the interpretations of that word commonly offered by traditional religions.
“We have no monopoly on God; we merely have an approach that worked with us.” (pg. 95)
The Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous is “a company of equals”. There is no second requirement for membership. AA gains it’s strength from universal acceptance by those who are members, on their own say so.
“The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.” (Tradition 3)
As a result, the issue of “human equality in the eyes of a Creator” becomes a point of departure between the AA program, and the basic precepts of many traditional religions. Where religion defines that which is and is not “God” for their followers, AA does not. Where most religious belief systems have boundaries to define what they “believe about God”, the basic text for AA does not.
The only “belief about God” this author has found within the basic text of AA is a statement which finds universal acceptance for any alcoholic who seeks recovery as their primary purpose in this lifetime.
“We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous and free. We cannot subscribe to the belief that this life is a vale of tears, though it once was just that for many of us. But it is clear that we made our own misery. God didn’t do it.” (pg. 133)
Where most traditional religions provide authoritative spokesmen on what is or is not acceptable human behavior “in the eyes of God”, AA does not. In fact, the very beginning of AA was based upon a very simple idea:
“Why don’t you choose your own conception of God?” (pg. 12)
“It was only a matter of being willing to believe in a Power greater than myself. Nothing more was required of me to make my beginning.” (pg. 12)
The demonstrated results of AA have clearly established that alcoholics can and do recover from a once seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Those who have recovered obviously possess conscious awareness of something which is possible.
It is the contention of the author in this Study Guide of the AA basic text, that “recovered alcoholics” have “tapped a source of power greater than themselves”. It isin the form of “new knowledge” about “the Great Reality” of life, on life’s terms. (see pgs 53, 55, 60(c), 68, 129, 163-164 & Appendix II).
There is universal acceptance of the “three letter word God” as being “the source of all knowledge and the power of that knowledge”. Any such awareness of reality is obviously “a power greater than any individual” could acquire during a single lifetime. Furthermore, there is more new knowledge available, than has been discovered by the entire human race since the beginning of time.
For practical human purposes, the available supply of new knowledge about life, on life’s terms is infinite. (pgs 53 & 68). Where this has application to recovery from alcoholism, the basic text of AA is clear.
“Our description of the alcoholic, the chapter to the agnostic, and our personal adventures before and after make clear three pertinent ideas:
(a) That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own
lives.
(b) That probably no human power could have relieved our
alcoholism.
(c) That God could and would if He were sought.
(pg. 60)
At issue is “a fundamental idea of God” which this author suggests will be different within each and every alcoholic. (pg. 55). Every alcoholic will have differences in their personal awareness of that which is and is not “the Great Reality” of life, on life’s terms. Therefore, it is the “belief in their own equality inthe eyes of their Creator” which becomes the focal point of concern.
This author does not subscribe to any belief system which claims superiority of some human beings over others.
The word “ethnocentric” describes that mental attitude. Many traditional religions hold to such a belief system for their followers. (see pg. 23). Alcoholics who desire to retain a belief that “our group is superior to other groups” should not be reading this material. Not unless they are open minded enough to consider other ideas which can be found within the AA basic text for recovery.
Having been issued “fair warning”, the reader of this Study Guide material should be prepared to encounter challenges to many well established “old ideas” about the disease of alcoholism. This will include observations about “the power” which has produced recovery for countless thousands of men and women from all segments of humanity. They should be evaluated with the “inherent intelligence” which can be found within every man, woman and child. (see pgs 55 & 86).
Before AA, no “second hand belief system” had been able to produce any results equivalent to what the AA program has demonstrated is possible for “any alcoholic with a desire to stop drinking”.
“We find that no one need have difficulty with the spirituality of the program. Willingness, honesty and open mindedness are the essentials of recovery. But these are indispensable.” (Appendix II)
With that mental approach to the material contained in this Study Guide of the basic text for Alcoholics Anonymous, some specific suggestions follow:
1.Remember that no individual member of AA is qualified to speak for the Fellowship, except with the endorsement of the General Services Offices of Alcoholics Anonymous.
2.Rely upon “The Twelve Traditions - (The Long Form) for clarification of what AA is and what AA is not. (see Appendix I).
3.Consider the viewpoint of any individual member as just that. The view of “a member of Alcoholics Anonymous”. This specifically includes any comments by the author of this Study Guide of the basic text. (see Foreword to First Edition).
Each “Section” of the Study Guide suggests reading some particular portion of the basic text. Then comments follow. When reviewing this Study Guide material, it is suggested that the reader consider it as if they were attending “a group meeting which is studying the basic text of the AA Big Book”.
In that setting, consider that, over in the corner, sits an “old timer” who has been around AA for over half a century. He is usually long-winded, repeats himself frequently, and has an opinion on just about anything or everything pertaining to the AA program. However, he does usually wait to be called upon before unleashing his viewpoints on others. It is obvious he is reasonably familiar with what is contained in the AA Big Book. His observations are eagerly accepted by some “as a guru”, and similarly rejected by others as being the blabbering of “an old man who has forgotten what it is like”.
Despite the belief by many that “the old timer is full of crap” he remains sober, and has been sober a very long time. Frequently he may voice “a point of view” with which it is very difficult to argue, dispute, or to find fault with it. After many years of sobriety, he still attends a lot of meetings, and claims to be “reasonably happy, joyous and free”. This will sometimes disturb those who find “their own personal belief system” is beingchallenged by what he says.
During any such meeting to Study the AA Big Book, you would expect to encounter a wide variety of viewpoints on the portions under consideration. The individual “Sections” of this Study Guide material reflect ideas, emotions and attitudes you might hear from the mouth of that “old timer over in the corner”. (see pg. 27).
The written material of this Study Guide is being provide in a self-centered attempt to assure the efforts of a lifetime remain available to anyone who might be interested. They are the ideas, emotions and attitudes which produced satisfactory results for a single alcoholic. Other alcoholics are encouraged to put forth similar effort and make “their personal interpretation” available to other alcoholics in a similar and equal manner.
Recovery from alcoholism is something which requires continued effort to “perfect and enlarge a spiritual life”. (see pgs 14-15, 35, 129 & 164).When evaluating this Study Guide material, it is suggested that the reader proceed at their own pace. Valid new knowledge will always displace and rearrange “erroneous old ideasandfalse beliefs”.
The only measure of validity for ideas, emotions and attitudes which are the guiding forces in the lives of alcoholics is to be found in how well they work. Do they produce satisfactory results? Are they principles with application to anyone, anyplace and at any time? (see pg. 27).
The improvement of an established belief system is not an overnight matter. (see Steps 10 & 11). With this thought in mind, (pg. 23), study the material of each individual Section carefully, in the light of your own intelligence.
Scan rapidly through the material first, without paying any particular attention to the parenthetical references to other portions of the AA basic text. If the points being made are not clearly understood, then review the references for additional clarification. There is “no other authority” intended to be used than the basic text itself.
If the reader cannot reconcile with the basic text of AA anything they are told by anyone about the AA program, this author recommends it be considered suspect of error.
It is recommended that the reader progress through the extensive comments of the author over an extended period of time. Each individual Section was intended to serve as “a single lesson in an educational variety of a spiritual experience” for those with an open mind to new “ideas, emotions and attitudes”. (pg. 27). Hopefully it will be useful to some alcoholics in producing “the personality change sufficient to bring about recovery”. The comments are primarily intended for those experiencing difficulty accepting traditional religious versions of “God, as we understand Him”. It is anticipated that any such transformation will develop slowly over a period of time.
“Yet it is true that our first printing gave many readers the impression that these personality changes, or religious experiences must be in the nature of sudden and spectacular upheavals. Happily for everyone, this conclusion is erroneous.”
(see Appendix II - Spiritual Experience).
For the alcoholic who is “a defiant individualist” there is value in building a personal belief system on the foundation of the AA basic text for recovery. This approach to recovery has produced demonstrated results which remain unequaled by any other thus far. However, “Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer.” (pg. 87). Just remember that their discovery of “a truth” is not the same as having knowledge of “all truth”.
“Our book is meant to be suggestive only. We realize we know only a little. God will constantly disclose more to you and to us.” (pg. 164)
With a mental attitude of willingness, honesty and open mindedness, give thoughtful intelligent consideration to the ideas, emotions and attitudes of any alcoholic who has achieved successful results in their life. Especially those which you would like to have included in your own. While no two individuals will ever be happy, joyous and free in an identical manner, anyone can acquire new knowledge of the Great Reality from almost anyone.
Any improvement in your own “conscious contact with God” will allow for spiritual progress in cooperating with life, on life’s terms. It will occur as you understand more about “a power greater than yourself”. This “spiritual growth” is to be found by constantly seeking new knowledge from the infinite source of all knowledge. That source is some intelligence referred to by use of the “three letter word God”.
The individual alcoholic, seeking recovery will quickly recognize a need for reliance upon “a conception of God” that produces practical results. A fundamental idea of God as “the source of all new knowledge” is a simple approach which has worked well for many. (see pg. 46).
This approach to recovery has been particularly valuable to those alcoholics who have difficulty believing the versions of “a power greater than ourselves” offered by and available from the spokesmen for many traditional religious “ideas of God”.
What this author has found by way of support for “a fundamental idea of God” from the basic text of AA is being freely offered in this Study Guide material to those who are interested.
TAKE WHAT YOU CAN USE, AND LEAVE THE REST FOR OTHERS
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SECTION A03 TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION A: Introduction to Study Guide & Basic Text:
Page References
Big BookStudy Guide
A00Cover & Frontispiece n/ai
A01Preface to Study Guide n/aiii
A02How to Use this Study Guide n/av - x
A03Table of Contents n/a xi - xiv
A04Foreword to Study Guide n/a xv - xvii
A05Comments on Sponsorship n/a xix - xxiv
A06To the Serious Student of the AA Big Book n/a xxv - xxvii
A07About the Author, by the Author n/a xxix - xxxiv
A08Getting Started with AA’s Big Book n/a xxxv - xxxvii
A09The Doctor’s Opinion n/a xxxix - xl
A10About the Basic Text of AA (Chapters 1 - 11) xli - xlii
A11About the Personal Stories xliii - xliv
A12ABOUT THE APPENDICES: xlv - liii
Appendix I:“The AA Tradition”
The Short Form
The Long Form
Appendix II:“Spiritual Experience”
Appendix III“The Medical View of AA”
Appendix IV“The Lasker Award”
Appendix V“The Religious View on AA”
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SECTION B: The Basic Text of AA (Chapters 1 - 11)
Page References:
Big BookStudy Guide
B01Chapter 1 “Bills Story” 1 - 16 1
S.T.E.P.. O.N.E:
B02aChapter 2 There is a Solution 17 - 26 3 - 9
B02b26 - 29 4 - 18
S T E P T W O:
B03aChapter 3 - More about Alcoholism 30 - 32 19 - 24
B03b32 - 39 25 - 32
B03c39 - 43 33 - 40
B03d(Preliminary to Chapter Four 41 - 51
B03e(Scan Chapter Four - pgs 43-47) 53 - 61
B04aChapter 4 - We Agnostics44 - 57 63 - 71
B05aChapter 5 - How it Works 58 - 60 73 - 82
B05b83 - 88
S T E P T H R E E :
B05c 60 - 64 89 - 99
B05d101 - 112
S T E P F O U R :
B05e 64 - 67113 - 122
B05f123 - 134
B05g135 - 145
B05h 67 - 68147 - 153
B05i155 - 164
B05j 68 - 71165 - 171
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Chapter 6 - Into Action
B06a 72173 - 182
B06b 72183 - 192
B06c 72 - 73193 - 206
B06d 73207 - 218
B06e 73219 - 230
B06f73 - 75231 - 241
B06g 75243 - 254
S T E P S I X :
B06h 76255 - 264
B06I 76265 - 273
S T E P S E V E N :
B06j76275 - 286
S T E P E I G H T :
B06k76287 - 298
B06l 76299 - 308
S T E P N I N E :
B06m 76 - 83309 - 317
B06n(“THE PROMISES”)83 - 84319 - 327
S T E P T E N :
B06o 84 - 85329 - 338
S T E P E L E V E N :
B06p 85 - 86339 - 345
B06q 86 - 88347 - 359
S T E P T W E L V E :
B07aChapter 7 - Working with Others 89 361 - 369
B07b 89 - 95371 - 378
B07c 96 - 98379 - 386
B07d 98 – 100387 - 393
B07e100 – 103395 - 402
B08aChapter 8 - To Wives104 - 121403 - 410
Chapter 9 - The Family Afterward
B09a122 -411 - 421
B09b - 135423 - 431
B10aChapter 10 - To Employers136 - 433 - 441
B10b -443 - 451
B10c - 150453 - 458
B11aChapter 11 - A Vision for You151 – 152459 - 468
B11b152 – 161469 - 477
B11c161 – 164479 - 487
EPILOGUE:Comments on prayer and meditation.489
STUDY GUIDE SECTION REFERENCE491 - 499
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SECTION A04:
F O R W O R D T O S T U D Y G U I D E :
"ALL GENERALIZATIONS ARE FALSE - INCLUDING THIS ONE"
That is a principle, emphasized in this "Study Guide".
COMMENTS:
Disagreement with traditional religious beliefs need not block recovery from alcoholism. There can be both value and limitations to some of those old ideas and their belief systems. However, the power of new knowledge is infinite. (see pg 68).
Knowledge is power, and it provides additional freedom with the power of increased choice. There is always more to know. Any knowledge you do NOT possess is "a power greater than yourself".
Seeking new knowledge is equivalent to seeking improved power to make choices that were not previously available due to personal ignorance. As you understand new knowledge you are free to use it. (see Steps 3 & 11).