Moving Thru Life with Grace is Measured by Inner Tranquility – Step 8

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SUFFERING TRANSFORMED TO INNER TRANQUILITY – “A.A. is no success story in the ordinary sense of the word. It is a story of suffering transmuted, under grace, into spiritual progress.” (As Bill Sees IT, p.35)

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In what ways have you determined that you’re making spiritual progress, lately?

When life feels painful, what small act of kindness or honesty can help you find more peace inside?

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Only Girl in the World – Rihanna (4:11)

Swami Sivananda quotes (3:47)

Celtic Tranquility Meditation on (8:30)

Analysis (English – 247 words)

Pain often carries the seed of transformation. In As Bill Sees It (1955), suffering becomes “transmuted, under grace, into spiritual progress.” Bill Wilson’s insight echoes Viktor Frankl’s idea in Man’s Search for Meaning (1946) that meaning arises not from comfort, but from endurance. When we surrender our resistance, we discover that suffering refines the soul’s metal.

Swami Sivananda (1963) defines growth by “the extent to which he achieves inner tranquility.” This perspective complements the Wellbriety Teaching that “healing means balance—of body, mind, and spirit” (Coyhis, 2006). Balance emerges through humility, not control. As we replace false pride with openness, we align with a Higher Power that restores our center. True grace is not loud; it moves quietly through acceptance.

Moreover, It Works: How and Why (1993) reminds us that practicing principles, not overthinking them, changes our minds. The shift from thought to practice mirrors Aristotle’s virtue ethics. He taught that we become good by doing good repeatedly. Each act of kindness becomes a quiet revolution within.

Finally, grace transforms motion into meaning. It softens judgment, repairs relationships, and allows serenity to grow like dawn after storm. Spiritual growth, therefore, cannot be measured by wealth or status. It is revealed in how gently we move through pain and how freely we forgive.

Traducción al español

Cómo No Perderse los Momentos Más Preciosos de Claridad – Paso 8

SUFRIMIENTO TRANSFORMADO –
«A.A. no es una historia de éxito en el sentido común de la palabra. Es una historia de sufrimiento transformado, bajo la gracia, en progreso espiritual.» (As Bill Sees It, p. 35)

LA TAZA MEDIDORA DEL CRECIMIENTO ESPIRITUAL –
«Muchos de nosotros usamos principios espirituales como un poder superior a nosotros mismos. Esto tiene sentido porque hemos intentado muchas veces pensar hacia una mejor manera de vivir. Probando de otro modo—viviendo de acuerdo con principios espirituales—eventualmente afecta nuestro pensamiento.» (It Works: How & Why, p. 15)

«El verdadero progreso espiritual del aspirante se mide por la medida en que alcanza la tranquilidad interior.» —Swami Sivananda (1887 – 1963)

Análisis (247 palabras)

El dolor suele contener la semilla de la transformación. En As Bill Sees It (1955), el sufrimiento se convierte «bajo la gracia, en progreso espiritual». Esta idea de Bill Wilson coincide con la visión de Viktor Frankl en El hombre en busca de sentido (1946): el sentido surge no del confort, sino de la resistencia. Al rendir nuestra oposición, descubrimos que el sufrimiento refina el metal del alma.

Swami Sivananda (1963) define el crecimiento por «la medida en que se alcanza la tranquilidad interior». Esta visión complementa la Enseñanza Wellbriety: «Sanar significa equilibrio—del cuerpo, la mente y el espíritu» (Coyhis, 2006). El equilibrio surge con humildad, no con control. Al reemplazar el falso orgullo con apertura, nos alineamos con un Poder Superior que restaura nuestro centro. La verdadera gracia no hace ruido; se mueve con aceptación.

Además, It Works: How and Why (1993) recuerda que practicar los principios—no solo pensarlos—transforma nuestra mente. Este cambio de pensamiento a práctica refleja la ética de la virtud de Aristóteles: uno se vuelve bueno al hacer el bien repetidamente. Cada acto de bondad es una revolución silenciosa interior.

Finalmente, la gracia convierte el movimiento en significado. Suaviza el juicio, repara relaciones y permite que la serenidad crezca como el amanecer tras la tormenta. El crecimiento espiritual no se mide por riqueza o estatus, sino por la suavidad con que atravesamos el dolor y la libertad con que perdonamos.

Pregunta:
Cuando la vida duele, ¿qué pequeño acto de bondad u honestidad puede ayudarte a encontrar más paz interior?

Comments

6 responses to “Moving Thru Life with Grace is Measured by Inner Tranquility – Step 8”

November 10, 2025

Sabrina J

It is not something that I determine. For me that feels like hubris or ego. Someone might say something to me, like my sponsor or therapist that my reaction to something has changed or softened. For me that is a que. However, I’ll leave that determination to others or to my Higher Power.

Thank you for sharing recovery with me. Grateful.

Reply
November 10, 2025

E-Dawg

Spiritual growth is a lifelong process. Reading the word of God and going to church are all a part of it. I miss going to church my Sundays are taken at the moment that’s where the real transformation for me happens. The ultimate goal is to become more like jesus.,,and the Jesus that I serve welcomes all Races, all religions, all countries of origin, all gender…, we can all feel safe with Jesus…

Reply
November 10, 2025

Elexi W.S.A.

I’ve determined that I’m making spiritual progress lately by exhibiting care for me, and wanting full protection for my mind and body. There’s so much going on out there these days with jealousies leading to gender biasing and cultural racisms that anyone should know is unlawful if wanting to be in their right mind. Having trans states and being multi-faceted/multi-cultural/multi gender and not always getting every word, but knowing its’ meaning can be difficult at times. I remember being called foreign because I have a thicker accent at times. Still all that negativity eats people up inside, nothing I’d want. Spirituality, being religious, or wanting to stay in one’s right mind at least is key or essential to me right now. I can’t be rude or discriminatory, and expect to have the longevity that I want. I’ve never met insane or extremely psychotic people till recently who’ve probably shortened their life span extremely. Unusual behaviors are definitely what I don’t want around me, and people like that belong in an asylum like isolated prison cell, or looking at it all, even more.

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August 27, 2012

Adam

I admit I’m powerless over traffic and other drivers. I know I’m likely not going to be injured driving. It is that I want to get to where I’m going faster. Being stressed and rushing is not going to get me there much faster so I need to take my time. Other drivers and traffic are under my HP’s control and therefore, I don’t need to worry about them.

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May 27, 2012

JB jr.

I seem to measure my spiritual progress through how well handle the difficult times in my life. But instead I prolly should look at the smaller stuff that tends to add up as well.

Reply
May 27, 2012

Margot E.

Listening to the song “Defying Gravity” I begin to think that accepting my Higher Power is very like flying. Sometimes I make the mistake of trying to explain that which is inexplicable – the infinity which is, by definition, that which cannot be comprehended. If I cannot understand all there is of my Higher Power, how can I believe? Surely I can only believe that which I understand. And so, taking faith, I take a leap. My faith says I will be guided – not always given the results I expect. I am guaranteed lessons in this life and unconditional love.

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