Out with the Old and in With … – Step 2

Written by

Bodhi Baba

Step 2, Zonr Posts

“Liberty is the
right to choose.
Freedom is the re-
sult of the right choice.”

– Jules Renard (1864 – 1910) French author (on the power of choice)

~~~ Sign up to get Zonr for Today’s Full SFZ

~~~

QUESTION ::: What NEW elements or ideas in your own spiritual growth do you choose to adopt, lately?

~~~

Turn Me On – Nicki Minaj & David Guetta (3:30)

A Rockin’ look at Glasser’s Choice Theory (6:04)

Ambient & Isochronic Relaxation Hz Meditation (3:30:00)

Today’s SFZ, Out with the Old and In with the New, centers on personal transformation through spiritual awakening and behavioral change. The passage from How Al-Anon Works emphasizes that change is not optional but essential. Without it, relapse becomes inevitable. This echoes Carl Jung’s assertion that “we cannot change anything until we accept it.” Change begins when the pain of remaining the same exceeds the fear of transformation.

The idea of surrender, as outlined in The Big Book, compels individuals to confront a spiritual ultimatum: either accept a Higher Power or continue in despair. This moment mirrors William James’s belief in the “will to believe”—that religious experience can provide the moral energy necessary for change. Choosing to believe liberates the spirit, opening a path to healing.

Renard’s quote distinguishes liberty from freedom. Liberty is the power to choose; freedom is the consequence of wise choice. This parallels Viktor Frankl’s philosophy in Man’s Search for Meaning, where he asserts that between stimulus and response lies the power to choose. That choice shapes our freedom.

Together, these texts urge us to reject destructive thought patterns and embrace a new spiritual direction. The process requires honesty, courage, and a willingness to grow. As Brené Brown argues in Daring Greatly, vulnerability is the birthplace of change. Recovery demands that we let go of the old and lean into the unknown with faith.

Ultimately, true freedom emerges not from escape but from deliberate transformation rooted in spiritual courage and personal responsibility.

Comments

8 responses to “Out with the Old and in With … – Step 2”

June 5, 2025

Elexi W.S.A.

Spendin’ more quality time definitely is where I am now with my spirituality, and wantin’ to change behaviors + old thought patterns that I use to have in active addiction are important to me these days. Also just journalling, and meditating, also ritual + more prayer, have been spiritual paths of growth for me lately.

Reply
May 15, 2025

Ty Dot

1. Practicing gratitude to be thankful for the past good and bad and for the future, the unknown..
2. Trying to be more compassionate asking myself was this necessary does this help anybody? Does it hurt anyone?
3. Having inner peace, not stress stressing out on other people’s issues..
4. Enjoying nature on walks and hikes.

Reply
May 15, 2025

Ari L

A mix of prayer and affirmation has been huge for me. Specific prayers like ancestor gratitude, or lovingkindness meditations, or the Gokan-no-ge prayer before eating. Actively trying to do these things more often. Also, putting active practice into virtues like temperance, prudence, or fortitude,

Reply
May 15, 2025

E-dawg

A new element for me would be to actually sit down and meditate. I’m always on the go but to actually stop and sit down and clear my mind and meditate on things to be grateful for instead of focusing on everything that I’ve lost… this would be a new element in my spiritual growth for sure…

Reply
May 15, 2025

Sabrina J

Mining for Gold.

Resources. This week I have been pouring over every inch of the University I am attendings website for more resources that can assist with my wellbeing, Mind body and spirit. Additionally, this week, I started working with a new therapist to assist with challenges that have been holding me back.

I have realized that no one thing will be enough for me to rebuild my life in total. I am a multi-dementional being with the facets of a well cut diamond. And so too are the parts of my life that since Feb of 2024, crumbled. Rebuilding one part of me and ignoring other aspects of my life is not wisdom and rather a pre-planned sabotage of my potential.

Relying only on my sponsor and 12 steps is not enough.

And I have found, consistently throughout my life, that when I seek out and work to improve my life, in every way, that the solutions come. For to long my assumption that action was not possible until this or that condition was meet. In watching a video I produced in 2015, my friend Daniel, may he rest in peace, gave me a gift from beyond, reminding me that the only way to go through it, it to go through. Start now, take action and go.

Forward I go, building on the tools that have kept me afloat, like prayer, my sponsor and the 12 steps, adding more resources like University, iGrad and Therapy. Seeking physical health support from my doctor and the care team at Kaiser and step by step, taking more and more action into the solution. Amen.

Reply
May 16, 2018

Carle

I take deep breaths trying deal with personalities that attempt to stand before them spiritual principles.
Prayer and visualizing meditations help me stay rooted. I think “red” while praying about feeling more grounded and connected to the earth. I meditate on the color blue when I feel my voice needs to be unblocked and open coming out more genuine and honest. Every literal step in the road I walk through becomes a prayer.
I also keep in constant communication in the prayer of making art. hen I make I pray whith my ancestors/ predecessors that have been here before, showing us there’s a better way to live than what our pasts showed.
Carle B.

“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”
Audre Lorde

Reply
May 16, 2013

Br. Buddha

Good morning everyone + Happy Thursday. Here is today’s thought. Pray. Get in the habit of daily prayer. It is a communion between you + God. Prayer changes things for you. It gives you a more positive outlook on life. Prayer gives you strength. Prayer is definitely good for your soul. Blessings. BB

Reply
August 17, 2012

Adam

I’ve learned that temporary elation or meditation is great, but these exist in a finite time period. Meditation is a good way to remind myself of my connection to my higher power. But I need be more in touch with my higher power at all times, not just those moments of peaceful luxury. Because that is what keeps me on the right path, even during the most trying times.

Reply