The Secrets to HOW and Why Spiritual Principles Work in Our Lives – Step 7

Footprints and legs leading from a treasure chest on a beach w/ sfz title

AND THE WHY –

The point is, that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines. The principles we have set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection.” (The Big Book, p. 60)

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HOW have you been Honest or Open-minded or Willing, to be spiritual/loving, lately?

OR

How can you let hope guide your actions today instead of fear?

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Imagine – John Lennon (3:36)

Pure Imagination – Willy Wonka (4:01)

Surreal Theta Hz Creativity Meditation (9:01)


Analysis

Human despair often grows from division and fear. The first passage from 12 & 12 shows how selfish desires create chaos. It also reveals a spiritual truth. People suffer when they seek power instead of connection. Viktor Frankl wrote in Man’s Search for Meaning that meaning comes from serving others. He believed despair fades when people choose purpose over ego.

The second passage from A Course in Miracles reminds us of shared unity. It teaches that love still survives under fear. It explains that humanity carries a silent desire for peace. This mirrors what bell hooks wrote in All About Love. She said love is an action and a choice. True love removes division. It builds bridges instead of walls.

Martin Luther King Jr. trusted hope during great suffering. He spoke of shaping hope from despair. He believed faith guides action. Step 7 also asks for action with humility. It asks us to trust a Higher Power with our character. The Wellbriety movement teaches a similar lesson. Don Coyhis writes, “Healing comes when we walk in balance with the Creator and with each other.” Humility invites healing. It opens the heart to unity and courage.

Therefore, spiritual principles work when we practice them daily. They change fear into service. Change despair into hope. They move us from isolation into community. Align us with purpose and a Higher Power. They remind us we belong to each other.



Traducción al Español

Citas en Español

SOBRE LA DESESPERACIÓN HUMANA
“Entonces, al principio, la mejor manera de vivir y trabajar juntos como grupos se convirtió en la pregunta principal…” (12 y 12, p. 130)

COLOCANDO UNA MANO FRÍA EN UNA “PIEDRA DE ESPERANZA”
“Es esta una intención que vemos hoy, uniendo nuestros deseos con la necesidad de cada corazón…” (Un Curso de Milagros, Lección 185)

“Con esta fe podremos tallar, de la montaña de desesperación, una piedra de esperanza…” —Martin Luther King Jr., Tengo un Sueño (1963)


Análisis (Español)

La desesperación humana crece con la división y el miedo. El primer pasaje de 12 y 12 muestra cómo el ego destruye relaciones. También muestra una verdad espiritual. Las personas sufren cuando buscan poder en lugar de conexión. Viktor Frankl escribió en El Hombre en Busca de Sentido que el propósito vence la desesperación.

El segundo pasaje de Un Curso de Milagros recuerda la unidad humana. Enseña que el amor existe debajo del miedo. Esto refleja lo que bell hooks enseña en All About Love. El amor crea comunidad y cambia corazones.

Martin Luther King Jr. creyó en la esperanza durante el dolor. Habló de transformar la desesperación en fe. El Paso 7 también invita a la fe. Pide humildad y confianza en un Poder Superior. El movimiento Wellbriety enseña lo mismo. Don Coyhis dice: “La sanación llega cuando caminamos en equilibrio con el Creador y con los demás.”

Los principios espirituales funcionan cuando los practicamos cada día. Transforman el miedo en servicio. Transforman el dolor en esperanza. Nos guían hacia la unidad y la sanación.

Pregunta :
¿Cómo puedes dejar que la esperanza guíe tus decisiones hoy?

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Comments

8 responses to “The Secrets to HOW and Why Spiritual Principles Work in Our Lives – Step 7”

  1. Eli🌱🫶🏾🫡🪱 Avatar
    Eli🌱🫶🏾🫡🪱

    To hope and move towards a desired outcome is more enjoyable than running away from fear. It allows me to set and reach goals instead of purely reacting to circumstance. It’s a privilege to think and act in this way at any point.

  2. Elexi W.S.A. Avatar

    I can let hope guide my actions instead of fear, by believin’ even when somethin’ seems bleak I can still overcome my addictions, or a lifestyle that’s not goin’ to be good for me in what I want to obtain. I go through a lot sometimes, but don’t have to let it defeat me like life seems to want to defeat us all at times. Spirituality, meetins’ and any improvements are a blessin’. Sometimes we have to go through things to realize somethin’ isn’t for us at all due to the nature of problems. Today I participated in a CODA meetin’ that was great for me to draw out boundaries with people when I feel my relations with others is not workin’ out. Even when it feels like I’m experiencin’ a mass of people that are racist or truly criminally minded I don’t have to give up that I will meet people that aren’t that way eventually. At least not knowin’ about people also gives moi(me) more quality time alone too.

  3. Ari L Avatar
    Ari L

    I think being hopeful is one of the prerequisites to motivation. In that sense to be hopeful is to have a certain level of drive in our endeavors, or at least fuel for the drive. When I’m in a hope drought I find myself falling behind in a lot of ways, and do my best to change my mindset when I notice it

  4. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    Fear profits a person nothing. Meaning that fear is self induced. In the movie Revolver, a complex interpersonal exploration, includes a scene where the the main character battles his ego, with the ego yelling, Fear Me. By this time, the character has learned that this voice is internal. And his response is self imposed.

    When I choice, hope and possibilities instead of fear, it is the hope and possibilities that grow. When I focus is where the growth occurs. And I seek to tend my garden of hope and grow possibilities.

    Thank you for sharing recovery with me. Grateful.

  5. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    If we are careless and failed to grasp the spiritual meaning of this step we may have difficulties and allow fear to take over. Humility plays a big part in this program and a new way of life if a person is truly sick of their past life or their current life in turmoil all they have to do is become willing and ask God to lead the way and hope will replace fear.

  6. Rose Avatar
    Rose

    For myself, the question didn’t get me on the side thought “Have I been actually loving or spiritual at all recently?”, the question got me on the word how. See, I believe that we all go through performing some act of love, however, how we do it is not always obvious and can be as simple as saying hello to someone or even sitting in awkward silence with someone because they just need someone there. I realized that while I contemplated on how, the answer stood right in front of me- I have been more tired than usual this week because throughout the entire week, I would stay up late to play video games or talk with friends. I have taken more time out of my relaxing time to be able to hang out with more than one friend group a day because I wanted to be able to let them know that I loved and cared about them. While this act of love may be more on the subtle side, it holds the same value because I know that I am more willing to sacrifice more of my time to be able to be with them.

  7. Bodhi Baba Avatar
    Bodhi Baba

    FEATURED POST FROM THE ZONR VAULT – “Ironically, I work so hard to believe in a Higher Power that I forget is there when I am in need. I forget that my Higher Power speaks through others, speaks at meetings, and when I can be still, speaks in my heart. I do have to keep repeating, “I am not a human being trying to be spiritual; I am a spiritual being learning to be human.” (Margot, 10/10/2012)

  8. Margot E. Avatar
    Margot E.

    Ironically, I work so hard to believe in a Higher Power that I forget is there when I am in need. I forget that my Higher Power speaks through others, speaks at meetings, and when I can be still, speaks in my heart. I do have to keep repeating, “I am not a human being trying to be spiritual; I am a spiritual being learning to be human.”

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