We Find “Freedom Behind Bars” even when Locked Down in Our Most Negative Thoughts – Step 5

Sad person sitting behind prison bars in prayer w/ sfz title

“The Fifth Step is
the key to freedom.
It allows us to live clean
in the present. Sharing
the exact nature of our
wrongs sets us free
to live.”
(The Basic Text, p. 31, on freeing our thoughts)

~~~

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Which “persistent thought(s)” would you like to be freed from, lately?

OR

If telling the truth helps us feel free, what small truth can you share today?

~~~

FREEDOM !!! Jean Batiste (3:42)

Freedom Behind Bars: Meditation in Prison 

Om Namo Mantra & Freedom from Bad Thoughts Meditation (9:12) 

✦ Analysis

Step Five offers emotional release. The Basic Text says it gives us “the key to freedom.” This step invites honesty. We confess our wrongs and grow spiritually. Carl Jung believed that shadow work, facing our darker selves, leads to wholeness. Similarly, Step Five helps us integrate pain into wisdom.

Next, The Big Book explains the journey like building an arch. It says we must leave nothing out. Viktor Frankl, author of Man’s Search for Meaning, wrote that people find freedom through responsibility. Step Five is a responsible act. It pushes us to live with integrity.

Transitioning to civil freedom, Ted Olsen’s argument defends human dignity. He says love and family create strength in society. Denying that right to others weakens all of us. His logic matches Step Five’s lesson. Both call for truth, courage, and freedom through acceptance.

Spiritual and civil liberties walk the same road. One heals the soul. The other heals society. Both demand honesty and inclusion. When we admit our wrongs or include the excluded, we break free. We find inner and outer peace.

Today’s SFZ calls us to rebuild. We leave behind fear. We choose openness. Jung, Frankl, and Olsen urge us to act boldly. They remind us that truth leads to liberation.


✦ Traducción: Citas de SFZ (Español)

ENCONTRAMOS “LIBERTAD DETRÁS DE LAS REJAS” incluso cuando estamos atrapados en nuestros pensamientos más negativos – Paso 5

“LA LLAVE A LA LIBERTAD”
“El Quinto Paso es
la llave a la libertad.
Nos permite vivir limpios
en el presente. Compartir
la naturaleza exacta de
nuestras faltas nos libera
para vivir.” (Texto Básico, p. 31)

CRUZANDO EL ARCO
“Leyendo cuidadosamente
las primeras cinco propuestas
preguntamos si hemos omitido
algo, porque estamos construyendo
un arco a través del cual
caminaremos libres al fin.” (El Gran Libro, p. 75)

“Lo que estamos diciendo aquí es que permitamos que individuos con los mismos impulsos, deseos y anhelos que todos nosotros, tengan una relación con armonía, estabilidad y puedan formar una familia… Y ahora, dime cómo beneficia a los demás ciudadanos de California mantenerlos fuera del club. No lo hace.”
—Ted Olsen, argumento final,
co-abogado principal por la Igualdad Matrimonial en California (6/17/10)


✦ Traducción: Análisis (Español)

El Quinto Paso ofrece liberación emocional. El Texto Básico dice que es “la llave a la libertad.” Este paso invita a la honestidad. Confesamos nuestras faltas y crecemos espiritualmente. Carl Jung creía que enfrentar nuestro “lado oscuro” lleva a la sanación. El Paso Cinco convierte el dolor en sabiduría.

Después, El Gran Libro describe esta jornada como construir un arco. Dice que no debemos omitir nada. Viktor Frankl, autor de El Hombre en Busca de Sentido, escribió que encontramos libertad asumiendo responsabilidad. El Paso Cinco nos pide vivir con integridad.

Pasando a la libertad civil, el argumento de Ted Olsen defiende la dignidad humana. Dice que el amor y la familia fortalecen a la sociedad. Negar ese derecho nos debilita a todos. Su lógica refleja la lección del Paso Cinco. Ambos promueven la verdad, el coraje y la aceptación.

Las libertades espirituales y civiles van de la mano. Una sana el alma. La otra sana la sociedad. Ambas requieren inclusión. Al admitir errores o incluir a los excluidos, nos liberamos. Encontramos paz.

Estos textos nos invitan a reconstruir. Dejamos atrás el miedo. Elegimos abrirnos. Jung, Frankl y Olsen nos impulsan a actuar con valentía. Nos recuerdan que la verdad libera.


✦ Traducción: Pregunta (Español)

Si decir la verdad nos hace sentir libres, ¿qué pequeña verdad puedes compartir hoy?

Zonr logo on fear

Comments

7 responses to “We Find “Freedom Behind Bars” even when Locked Down in Our Most Negative Thoughts – Step 5”

  1. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    The persistent thought of limiting resources. This is what I am woking to remove from my thoughts.

    Everything I need, and I believe everything all of us need is right now, right now, available to us from a Higher Power that provided abundance, and not leave us scarce to survive.

    In my world view God has provided everything we could ever need, abundantly, and all of us can access the divine abundance of our maker. And so, it is true for me that I can access and enjoy the abundance of my maker.

    Thank you for sharing recovery with me. Grateful.

  2. Elexi W.S.A. Avatar

    The constant flashbacks over dating violence from years upon years and accidents cross my mind continuously. When I’m not dating or using bad substances, and being watchful I begin to be more freed from these persistent thoughts of flashbacks.
    Most truths I have shared, but at times I wonder what will be the outcome of some of my meetings since I’ve had so many conflicting ones in the past.

  3. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    Understanding the truth regarding alcoholism is definitely a truth setting event..
    I’ve tried to half measure it in the past but I am all in now and it’s working just the way it’s promised..the reward of recovery depends how much I put into it…

  4. Thy will not mine be done Avatar
    Thy will not mine be done

    I don’t know what i’m thinking sometimes! My thoughts consist of insecurity, mostly from the things that I don’t have, I compare myself to others and also try to acknowledge that my thoughts don’t define me and that what everyone else thinks about me is none of my business. I also believe that my thoughts can manipulate me into a belief system if i’m unwilling to bounce my ideas off someone I can trust, meaning sudden impulse can occur, causing me to act on those thoughts or feel some type of way.

  5. Tony O. Avatar
    Tony O.

    Some of the most tortured souls are the most creative. The mother of invention is necessity and what makes you needy like desperation. Allow your struggle to become your strength.

  6. Simon Yebio Avatar
    Simon Yebio

    Today I have none. However some that are reaccuring are thoughts of being alone.

  7. Bohdi Baba Avatar

    The thought that I’m what I do is never good enough. Sometimes I have to recognize that some of what I do is very valuable and much appreciated and critiquing it death is counterproductive.

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