The book indicates, therefore, that we need to create a fourth column or extend the third column. List of character defects for 12step recovery the symptoms of spiritual awakening set aside prayer 12step prayers index for the big book i am your disease promises of alcohol vs aa letting go acceptance was the answer the doctors opinion the 6 original steps in bill ws handwriting principles of the 12step recovery process recovery process. Dec 07, 2018 it is an open invitation to partner with our higher power and make a firm decision to let go of the character defects or flaws that have been in control for years. Ive always been curious as to the huge difference between the list of character defects between the big book and the 12 and 12. There are 31 mentions of pride, 3 of prideful, and 1 of proud. The defects are those i found in step four shared in step five. However the word ready is a reminder that we are prepared, open and available. But, i also thought, oh, man, im going to go for it. Dilworth center is a 501c3 notforprofit organization. My sponsor had me find a new way to drive to work every single day as part of step 6. Then fear, in turn, generates more character defects.
Selfishness and character defects emotional sobriety and food. I feel so grateful and so appreciate when people comment on a post. I always wonder why bill and the writers decided to make such a drastic change. By now the newcomer has probably arrived at the following conclusions. Because for people with alcoholism and addiction, our character defects arent. Step 6 is the getting ready for removal stepthe step that can bring noticeable change when it comes to our thought patterns and behaviors. Character defects are described in the big book as flaws in our makeup which caused our failure and as manifestations of self, expressions of our spiritual disease of selfishness and selfcenteredness. Step six were entirely ready to have god remove all these defects of character. But if pride is the breeding ground of all character defects, humility is the nourishing soil of all the virtues.
It is the basic text of the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous, and has helped large numbers of alcoholic men and women, young and old, recover as of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise distributed source aa gso ny. Character in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. Were entirely ready to have god remove all these defects of character. Schaberg presents an exciting, researchdriven narrative of the history of the book, alcoholic anonymous, and the formative years of a. Thus seen, recovery is a lifelong process of surrendering the one and growing in the other. Thoughts, character defects, and awakening consider, if you will, the following short, succinct, yet powerful statements taken from different sections of the big book of alcoholics anonymous, reshuffled and juxtaposed in a different order. Stools and bottles a study of character defects 31 daily. Breaking down step six of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. Step 6 introduces the phrase defects of character, which requires some comment. The big books way to be rid of resentment pages 63 67.
In the old days, these character defects were seen as the underlying psychodynamics that caused the addiction. By the time the twelve steps and twelve traditions was written, aa had the bene. I thought, how am i going to pull off this character. He goes on to explain that any person capable of enough willingness and honesty to try repeatedly step six on all his faults without any reservations. Awareness of character defects in what ways are my defects really basic human traits that have been distorted by my own selfcenteredness. It made me realize i had never actually done the steps 6 and 7 as set out in the into action chapter of the alcoholics anonymous big book despite having been sober 12 years. We think we have done well enough in admitting these things to ourselves. They had seemed so simple in the aa big book that i had searched around to repress my character defects some other way for several years. Defects of character program theory alcoholics anonymous. This is a great question and highlights the spiritual malady of addiction. Mar 24, 2020 quotes about pride, one of the character defects we work on in the inventory process in steps 410 of alcoholics anonymous and related recovery fellowships.
This is a big misconception about alcoholics anonymous and one that causes some people to avoid. List of character defects for 12 step recovery work. Character in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and. They characterize us, governing the way we conduct ourselves and live out our lives. So declares a wellloved clergyman who happens to be one of a. As stated in the big book on page 62, first paragraph. Flaws in our makeup is perhaps the simplest definition of character defects in the big book. Removing defects of character page 62 of the big book whatever our protestation, are not most of us concerned with ourselves, our resentments, or our selfpity. I like that you describe more than just praying to have the defects removed but actually acting differently even though it went against the grain. Devora asked, the big book talks about a 100 forms of fear. Take each major character defect and write three to five positive. The big book explains that we must make a list that includes all our resentments we have and have ever had, an account of sexual conduct and our fears. In step four, we see how the word fear occurs again and again in the third column of our resentments list.
List of character defects for 12 step recovery work realistic. For example, one can read it for all the character defects mentioned, or the promises made, or the times it. Oct 03, 2018 the big book of alcoholics anonymous refers to these behaviors as defects of character, and we must be willing to change them in order to remain rooted in our recovery. For some, it may be helpful to sit with a sponsor and list our character defects, which include. The chief activator of our defects of character has been selfcentered fear primarily fear that we would lose something we already possessed or would fail to get something we. Breaking down step five of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves reading. The prayer i mentioned, from the big book of alcoholics anonymous, is a simple and profound way to establish this attitude. Now we can aim at the very best of all we know or can learn.
See more ideas about pride quotes, pride and character. The inventory is of our defects, not our incidents. This brings us to the fifth step in the program of recovery mentioned in the preceding chapter. Character defects are described in the big book as flaws in our makeup which caused our failure and as manifestations of self, expressions of our spiritual. It is these character defects that block alcoholics from the spiritual solution and connecting to a higher power that will relieve their alcoholism. The big books way to be rid of resentment pages 63 67 instructions. Part of the rehab and recovery process for substance abuse means identifying our personal character defects and recognizing how we let our character defects hinder recovery.
When i first began to hear people in aa talking about character defects i presumed i possibly had one or two. Our character is the sum total of moral traits, attributes, or qualities that make up our moral selves. There is a big difference between striving for a selfdetermined objective and for the perfect objective which is of god. It is an open invitation to partner with our higher power and make a firm decision to let go of the character defects or flaws that have been in control for years. He goes on to explain that any person capable of enough willingness and honesty to try re. Dealing with character defects cardinal house recovery. The big book mentions resentment and fear as character defects that seemed particularly troublesome. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, selfdelusion, selfseeking and selfpity page 3. Hes got all the defects of character that an actor loves to. Defects of character alcoholics anonymous cleveland. Lydias character defect list visit her site for updated versions of this list anger, hatred. She asked a great question on selfishness and our other character defects.
It is also valuable to read the big book for specific topics or subjects. Its always the last one because its so present in your body. I knew definitely that i drank much too much but aside from that fact i was a pretty good guy. On desire, fear and the activation of our character defects. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, selfdelusion, selfseeking and selfpity.
Stools and bottles a study of character defects 31 daily meditations. Want jason wahler inperson for your next gathering. I needed to go to the very brink of suicide before i realised that selfpity was a character defect that i needed to address. Removing character defects, steps six and seven 2nd. Together, i believe, they set out the primarily mental aspect of alcoholism, as well as a good. Core character defects 4 study from the bottom of page 63 to the end of page 65 and then follow its instructions. The part of the book that discusses working on character defects is called into action for a reason. It is the basic text of the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous, and has helped large numbers of alcoholic men and women, young and old, recover. Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and more concordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either alcoholics anonymous. Devora recently commented on the posts on unselfishness. Destructive behaviors usually reflect underlying character defects, which is the engine that drives most of our offthewall actions. It can start with the misuse of my imagination through fear, then i will pretend the fiction i just created has or is about to happen, then i will try to control or manipulate the people and events in my life, so everyone will be ok. Remember that as recently as dsmii, alcoholism and addiction were listed as personality disorders american psychiatric association, 1968. T his is the step that separates the men from the boys.
Add a daily prayer and reflection period in which you present your character defects to god with the willingness to let god decide what to remove and when. Granted extensive access to the groups archives along with several other sources. List of character defects for 12 step recovery work heres a list i found. The big book of alcoholics anonymous refers to these behaviors as defects of character, and we must be willing to change them in order to remain rooted in our recovery. Hes got all the defects of character that an actor loves to play. Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and more concordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either alcoholics. Defects in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12.
Some years ago the author of the little red book worked out a novel presentation of the first four steps of the a. The 164 and more book, ebook, and web site are all concordances which display passages from the big book alcoholics anonymous, the twelve steps and twelve traditions, and the a. Step 4 character defects and the big book this thread is a listing of some of the character defects and where they are referred to in the big book as well as thoughts on each. Granted extensive access to the groups archives along with several other sources, the author reveals the early fellowships conflicts and personalities, successes and.
The big book of alcoholics anonymous spends only a single. Jan 07, 2020 breaking down step six of aa alcoholics anonymous. This book illuminates from various angles how to stop using our character defects, which i think of as old coping skills, which never really worked anyway, but were the only ones we knew, and be willing, ready, and able to learn newer, easier, more effective coping mechanisms. May 02, 2019 character defects are described in the big book as flaws in our makeup which caused our failure and as manifestations of self, expressions of our spiritual disease of selfishness and selfcenteredness. This is the step that separates the men from the boys. May 12, 2016 devora recently commented on the posts on unselfishness. Fear is big and real and heavy and it rears its ugly head almost constantly in the lives of us addicts and alcoholics. The only exception to the big books instruction is a 5th column, whereby we identify what we can do differently in the future. William arthur ward on risk the 12 steps of realistic recovery. The inconsistency is made worse by the things he does on his sprees. Selfishness and character defects emotional sobriety and. When breaking down step six i like to focus more on the word ready than entirely. It is the main breeder of fear, a soulsickness in its own right p. May 17, 2011 in step four, we see how the word fear occurs again and again in the third column of our resentments list.
He wants to enjoy a certain reputa tion, but knows in his heart he doesnt deserve it. The twelve steps and promises of codependents anonymous. Visual aids, consisting of a threelegged stool and eight empty whiskey bottles, were used to portray the intangible factors of these fundamental steps. Find all uses of this word in the big book alcoholics anonymous and the twelve steps and twelve. Coming to his senses, he is revolted at certain episodes he vaguely remembers. I liked scream of the banshee because it was a real challenge. Apr 26, 2010 add a daily prayer and reflection period in which you present your character defects to god with the willingness to let god decide what to remove and when. Then, again, on the last page of the step seven essay in the twelve steps and twelve traditions, we read. Aug 15, 2016 5 ways your character defects hinder your recovery recognizing character defects in others is sometimes easier than recognizing our own. The big book tells us to take an hour to check if we did steps 15 properly. Breaking down step six of aa alcoholics anonymous jason wahler. In 12 step recovery programmes, selfpity is recognised as a character defect. If we can answer the questions on page 75 to our satisfaction, we then look at step six. The twelve characteristics of sex and love addiction.
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