“It’s Not that Some People have Willpower and Some Don’t ” – Step 6 Begins

Man praying over a glass of scotch w/ sfz title

“It’s not that
some people have
willpower and some
don’t. It’s that some
people are ready to
change and others
are not.”

– James Gordon, M.D. – holistic healer

~~~

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What self-beliefs do you have that are holding you back from living to your full potential?

OR

Question: Why do you think being ready to change is sometimes harder than using willpower?

~~~

People Get Ready – Al Green (4:33)

Pencil Sketch Animation on Getting Ready(1:49) 

Ancient Mystic Preparation for Sleep (4:08)

 

Analysis

Step Six of the Twelve Steps stresses readiness, not sheer willpower. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions highlights the phrase “entirely ready.” This language demands openness to transformation beyond ordinary determination. The philosopher William James, in The Varieties of Religious Experience, described conversion as surrender to higher power. He noted that change follows receptivity, not force. Similarly, Carl Jung argued that deep healing requires spiritual openness, not rigid self-control.

Furthermore, the dilemma of readiness raises questions of human resistance. Many resist change because they fear losing familiar identities. The text asks, “How many of us have this degree of readiness?” The question points to our reluctance. Resistance reflects the tension between desire for growth and attachment to flaws. Jung called this tension the confrontation with the “shadow.” Facing the shadow demands humility and courage.

The solution lies in embracing process. It Works: How and Why reminds us that Step Six unfolds over a lifetime. It invites us to become ready, not perfect. James Gordon, M.D., echoes this truth. He states that change requires readiness, not willpower. True transformation emerges when willingness meets spiritual presence.

In conclusion, these writers show that Step Six emphasizes process, openness, and spiritual readiness. Real freedom comes when people embrace growth as a continual act. Willpower alone cannot carry such depth of change. Instead, spiritual humility sustains lasting transformation.


Spanish Translation

Citas

“No es que algunas personas tengan fuerza de voluntad y otras no.” – Step 6 Begins

“Estábamos completamente
dispuestos a que Dios
(o un Poder Superior) quitara
todos estos defectos
de carácter.”

EL DILEMA
“Las palabras clave
‘completamente dispuestos’ subrayan
el hecho de que queremos
apuntar hacia lo mejor que sabemos
o podemos aprender. ¿Cuántos de
nosotros tenemos este grado de
disposición?” (12 & 12, p. 65)

LA SOLUCIÓN
“El proceso de toda la vida
del Sexto Paso es precisamente
eso: un proceso.” “Nuestro trabajo
es llegar a estar completamente dispuestos
y abrir nuestros corazones y mentes
a los profundos cambios internos
que solo pueden ser producidos
por la presencia de un Dios
amoroso [Poder Superior].” (It Works, How & Why, p. 42)

“ No es que
algunas personas tengan
fuerza de voluntad y otras
no. Es que algunas personas
están listas para
cambiar y otras no.”

– James Gordon, M.D.,
sanador holístico


Análisis

El Sexto Paso de los Doce Pasos enfatiza la disposición, no la fuerza de voluntad. Doce Pasos y Doce Tradiciones resalta la frase “completamente dispuestos.” Ese lenguaje exige apertura a la transformación más allá de la determinación común. El filósofo William James, en Las variedades de la experiencia religiosa, describió la conversión como una entrega al poder superior. Señaló que el cambio sigue a la receptividad, no a la fuerza. De manera similar, Carl Jung sostuvo que la sanación profunda requiere apertura espiritual, no control rígido.

Además, el dilema de la disposición plantea preguntas sobre la resistencia humana. Muchos resisten el cambio porque temen perder identidades conocidas. El texto pregunta: “¿Cuántos de nosotros tenemos este grado de disposición?” Esa pregunta señala nuestra renuencia. La resistencia refleja la tensión entre el deseo de crecer y el apego a defectos. Jung llamó a esta tensión la confrontación con la “sombra.” Afrontar la sombra exige humildad y valentía.

La solución está en abrazar el proceso. Funciona: Cómo y Por Qué nos recuerda que el Sexto Paso dura toda la vida. Nos invita a estar dispuestos, no a ser perfectos. James Gordon, M.D., repite esta verdad. Afirma que el cambio requiere disposición, no fuerza de voluntad. La verdadera transformación surge cuando la disposición se une a la presencia espiritual.

En conclusión, estos pensadores muestran que el Sexto Paso enfatiza proceso, apertura y disposición espiritual. La verdadera libertad llega cuando abrazamos el crecimiento como un acto continuo.


Pregunta

¿Por qué crees que estar listo para cambiar es a veces más difícil que usar fuerza de voluntad?

Zonr blog on getting ready

Comments

8 responses to ““It’s Not that Some People have Willpower and Some Don’t ” – Step 6 Begins”

  1. Elexi W.S.A. Avatar

    What own beliefs do you have that are holdin’ you back from livin’ to full potential.
    And or why do you think bein’ ready to change is sometimes harder than usin’ willpower.
    I think some beliefs that hold moi back are sometimes seein’ what others are doin’, whether good for me or not, and then spirallin’ down. I definitely want some things to change, and think willpower could be someone just seekin’ improvements, without the full change. Fully changein’ and refraining from harmful acts for instance could be harder than willpower, because it’s completely quittin’.

  2. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    When I have felt ready or thought that using will power both have been insufficient to do so over the duration. For a day, week, maybe a month? Sure, but what about for life? Every day, day after day with no other support. That is why when we get in the rooms and listen, we hear the old timers. Those with 10, 20, 30, 40 years of sobriety. We find them in the rooms. In community of other sober people that are there on those days where desire and willpower alone are not enough.

    In sobriety, we are all one moment away from relapse. In the rooms, we find the support and community to not pick up.

    Thank you for sharing recovery with me. Grateful.

  3. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    When I got to treatment being ready to change was a lot easier than using my willpower because I’ve been trying to use my willpower to stop my entire life and could never do it. And that line being entirely ready was explained to me in a way that made total sense. It’s not an overnight remedy it’s a daily Journey…

  4. Joel Relampagos Avatar

    What self-beliefs do you have that is holding you back from living your full potential?

  5. Margot E. Avatar
    Margot E.

    Step Six is a lifelong process…interesting because I felt stuck here until I got it right. I can move on now and come back to this Step as often as I need it – as long as I am doing it in conjunction with Step Seven. I went to my meeting with my manager and for the first time did not close the door and did not feel like “poor me.” I behaved like a rational, sensible, powerful grown ass woman that I am – only possible because of this Step. Woo Hoo!

  6. Margot E. Avatar
    Margot E.

    Nothing less than everything. These quotations actually made me catch my breath at the sheer scope of what is required. I see now that minding other people’s business can have no place in my life. I have to hand it all over – that is so scary. What if…what if…what if. What if I’m wrong about having a Higher Power? What if it doesn’t turn out “right”? I have walked to the edge of the cliff and see a wondrous panorama before me. Now it is time to step off the cliff. Please catch me God. Why would you not? You have caught me every time before.

  7. Slim Jim Avatar
    Slim Jim

    Ya it is.

    I’m at the “snake trails” where I used to escape when I was a kid. It’s exactly how some things stay the same. This month it’ll be interesting to see what specific changes I’m willing to allow my HP to guide me through.

    This is a great spot btw. I can here nothing but distant whistle trills from football practice.

  8. Easy does it Avatar
    Easy does it

    Entirely ready… Easy to say but when those defects come popping up it’s like amnesia sets in. That’s why it’s important for me to remember that I get a DAILY reprieve not weekly not monthly not yearly… Spiritual life is where it’s at baby!

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