How to Identify the “Flaws which Sometimes were Responsible for the Whole Pattern of our Lives.” – Step 5

Hot air balloons soaring over an icy horizon w/ sfz title
“We can go far beyond those things which were superficially wrong with us, to see those flaws which were basic, flaws which sometimes were responsible for the whole pattern of our lives.” (12 & 12, p. 80)

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Which patterns in your life have you been able to see more clearly, lately?

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Question: How can seeing our flaws as part of a bigger picture help us grow?

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Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore (7:04)

Morning Bird over the Horizon Meditation (5:33)

Analysis (English)

In The Basic Text, the authors describe a shift from theory to lived spiritual awareness. This stage uncovers habits we often ignore. Carl Jung believed that facing our shadow reveals truths that transform growth. His idea supports this text: awakening means meeting ourselves honestly, not hiding behind ideals.

The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions expands the insight. It says flaws sometimes shape the entire structure of our lives. Søren Kierkegaard wrote that despair arises when we avoid self-truth. His thought aligns with this passage, since ignoring flaws allows despair to control choices.

Richard Bach, in Illusions, uses clouds as symbols of hidden order. He suggests patterns exist even when we cannot see them. Similarly, Friedrich Nietzsche insisted that life’s trials forge meaning when examined. The movement from confusion to clarity requires courage, and courage begins with truth.

Together, these voices affirm that self-examination builds resilience. The passages describe both pain and hope. Our personal flaws do not simply ruin; they can become paths to wisdom. When we lift our perspective, we witness patterns greater than our past. Transformation, then, does not erase mistakes; it integrates them into new freedom.


Citas en Español

EL DESPERTAR ESPIRITUAL A PATRONES FEOS
“Donde antes teníamos teorías espirituales, ahora comenzamos a despertar a la realidad espiritual. Este examen inicial de nosotros mismos usualmente revela algunos patrones de comportamiento que no nos gustan particularmente.” (El Texto Básico, p. 33)

REVELANDO DEFECTOS BÁSICOS PERO TENSILES
“Podemos ir mucho más allá de aquellas cosas superficialmente malas en nosotros, para ver aquellos defectos que eran básicos, defectos que a veces eran responsables de todo el patrón de nuestras vidas.” (12 y 12, p. 80)

“Una nube no sabe por qué se mueve… Pero el cielo conoce las razones y los patrones detrás de todas las nubes, y tú también sabrás, cuando te eleves lo suficiente para ver más allá de los horizontes.” —Richard Bach (1936–), novelista estadounidense


Análisis en Español

En El Texto Básico, los autores describen un cambio de teoría hacia conciencia espiritual vivida. Esta etapa descubre hábitos que solemos ignorar. Carl Jung creía que enfrentar nuestra sombra revela verdades que transforman el crecimiento. Su idea apoya este texto: despertar significa conocernos honestamente, sin escondernos tras ideales.

El Doce Pasos y Doce Tradiciones amplía esta visión. Declara que los defectos a veces forman toda la estructura de nuestras vidas. Søren Kierkegaard escribió que la desesperación surge cuando evitamos la verdad personal. Su pensamiento coincide con este pasaje, ya que ignorar defectos permite que la desesperación dirija nuestras elecciones.

Richard Bach, en Ilusiones, usa nubes como símbolos de un orden oculto. Sugiere que existen patrones aunque no los veamos. De forma similar, Friedrich Nietzsche insistió que las pruebas de la vida forjan significado cuando las examinamos. El movimiento de confusión hacia claridad requiere valentía, y la valentía comienza con la verdad.

Juntas, estas voces confirman que el autoexamen construye resiliencia. Los pasajes describen tanto dolor como esperanza. Nuestros defectos personales no solo destruyen; pueden convertirse en caminos de sabiduría. Cuando elevamos nuestra perspectiva, vemos patrones más grandes que nuestro pasado. La transformación no borra errores; los integra en una libertad nueva.


Pregunta en Español

¿Cómo puede ayudarnos a crecer ver nuestros defectos como parte de un panorama más grande?

Zonr blog on pattern

Comments

11 responses to “How to Identify the “Flaws which Sometimes were Responsible for the Whole Pattern of our Lives.” – Step 5”

  1. Elexi W.S.A. Avatar

    I noticed in the past I would get some weeks, or a little over a month, and pick back up a little, fortunately what has led to this complete abstinence was a huge cut down while I worked on buildin’ more physical, and mental strength.

  2. Eli🌱🫶🏾🫡🪱 Avatar
    Eli🌱🫶🏾🫡🪱

    I have repeated old patterns in an attempt to “master my traumas (thanks therapist). Seeing it and doing something different are two different steps.

  3. Ari L Avatar
    Ari L

    I think it’s easy to get into a head trip about what’s wrong with us when we focus on individual problems, and hyper analyzing them without the context of our entire lives. I think the pieces fall into place better when we are not fixating in the sense that cause and effect are easier to understand. And, this opens the door to actually changing

  4. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    The first step to changing something is to acknowledge it. Once I can identify and acknowledge it, I can start to take the steps to change. Knowing what I want to change, and taking the steps to change allows me to grow and build new ways of behaving. This leads to progress and a better life, one step at a time.

    Thank you for sharing recovery with me. Grateful.

  5. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    The patterns are made visible by writing them down in my fourth step and they come to life and I’m free from them when I’m dropping my fifth step it’s absolutely wonderful how these steps work. Most important is to learn from my flaws if I don’t learn I will continue these patterns which will eventually lead to relapse then death

  6. Joel Relampagos Avatar

    We can’t control our thoughts but we can control how we RESPOND to our thoughts. What coping tools do you turn to when you have a negative thought?

  7. Simon Yebio Avatar
    Simon Yebio

    My relationship pattern and sex. I’m totally clueless. I need to go back and read my sexuality inventory…

  8. JB jr. Avatar
    JB jr.

    Fountains of hope and serenity are pretty much what I expect from the steps. And as I recall, my youth wasn’t all that serene anyways.

  9. Easy Does It Avatar
    Easy Does It

    Mr. Barleycorn u can always turn a hydrant gusher into a fountain of youth…

  10. raretruthseeker Avatar
    raretruthseeker

    Marianne Williamson compares the way the egg rises up to meet the sperm (Scientists witness this happening under a microscope) to the way that we must rise up and meet God on the level that he is vibrating to offer us our highest possible unfolding at any moment.

    1. JB jr. Avatar
      JB jr.

      I love that comparison. Today at PSLA they noted that its a New Moon. Which means, according to farmers from the beginning of time, is the best time to plant seeds; seeds of intention for our purposes.

      So I did exactly that, wrote on a piece of paper what I want most for myself, from a spiritual perspective. Mainly to be loving and to speak with clarity and purpose.

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