It’s What Makes this Process both Beautiful and Sublime at the Same Time – Step 7

Bird flying away from placid lake island at dusk w/ sfz title

“WE ARE BEING CHANGED” –

“It doesn’t matter
that we will not attain
a state  of  perfection  or
complete humility in our life-
time.   The ability  to  contem
plate  this  grand  vision  and
meditate  upon  it  are  rare
and priceless gifts in their
own right.   We are being
changed.”   (It Works,
How &  Why, p. 53)

~~~

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What has changed for you to notice spiritual growth, lately?

OR

If change is both gift and responsibility, how can you welcome it into your own life today?

~~~

I am Changing – Jennifer Hudson (3:36)

Mahatma Gandhi Brief Bio (2:57)  

Solfeggio Hz Harmonic Healing Meditation (5:47)

English Analysis

Step 7 emphasizes a deep process of humility and transformation. The words “we are being changed” remind us of Heraclitus’ claim in Fragments that everything flows. Change is not only inevitable; it is essential to growth. The passage affirms that perfection is not required, only openness. Viktor Frankl, in Man’s Search for Meaning, noted that humans endure suffering better when they see purpose in it. Here, humility becomes purpose, a gift rather than a burden.

The Big Book speaks of a “psychic change,” echoing William James’ insights in The Varieties of Religious Experience. James described sudden conversions as moments when despair turns into hope. In recovery, this change is not abstract. It reshapes desire, reorders choices, and offers stability where chaos once reigned. This mirrors the wellbriety teachings that healing is a communal and spiritual journey. The gift is not control itself but willingness to follow simple rules.

Gandhi’s words—“Be the change that you want to see in the world”—connect personal humility with global action. By living transformation, we ripple healing outward. Cornel West reminds us in Democracy Matters that justice begins with the transformed self. Step 7 teaches that humility, far from weakness, is the foundation of strength. It invites us to accept incompleteness while walking forward in growth.


Traducción al Español

Citas

“Estamos siendo cambiados.” (It Works, How & Why, p. 53)

“…una vez que ha ocurrido un cambio psíquico, la misma persona que parecía condenada, de repente se encuentra capaz de controlar su deseo por el alcohol, el único esfuerzo necesario es seguir unas pocas reglas simples.” (The Big Book, p. xxvii)

“Sé el cambio que quieres ver en el mundo.” (Mohandas Gandhi, 1869–1948)

Análisis

El Paso 7 enfatiza un proceso profundo de humildad y transformación. Las palabras “estamos siendo cambiados” recuerdan la afirmación de Heráclito en Fragmentos de que todo fluye. El cambio no solo es inevitable; es esencial para el crecimiento. El pasaje afirma que la perfección no se requiere, solo la apertura. Viktor Frankl, en El hombre en busca de sentido, señaló que los humanos soportan mejor el sufrimiento cuando ven un propósito en él. Aquí, la humildad se convierte en propósito, un regalo y no una carga.

El Libro Grande habla de un “cambio psíquico,” reflejando los pensamientos de William James en Las variedades de la experiencia religiosa. James describió conversiones repentinas como momentos donde la desesperación se convierte en esperanza. En la recuperación, este cambio no es abstracto. Reordena deseos y ofrece estabilidad donde antes había caos. Esto refleja las enseñanzas del bienestar de que sanar es un viaje espiritual y comunitario. El regalo no es el control en sí, sino la voluntad de seguir reglas simples.

Las palabras de Gandhi—“Sé el cambio que quieres ver en el mundo”—conectan la humildad personal con la acción global. Al vivir la transformación, expandimos la sanación hacia afuera. Cornel West recuerda en La democracia importa que la justicia comienza con el yo transformado. El Paso 7 enseña que la humildad, lejos de ser debilidad, es la base de la fuerza. Nos invita a aceptar la incompletitud mientras avanzamos en crecimiento.

Pregunta

Si el cambio es tanto un regalo como una responsabilidad, ¿cómo puedes darle la bienvenida en tu vida hoy?

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Comments

11 responses to “It’s What Makes this Process both Beautiful and Sublime at the Same Time – Step 7”

  1. Neyun Avatar
    Neyun

    What has changed for you to notice spiritual growth, lately?

    Change has forced to focus on my own individual healing and sober journey . This new home and scenery is helping me solidify a new set of practices and a healthy routine to carry throughout my life, I just needed to be solo awhile and have the right support system in place to begin my path to Red Road and sobriety and a healthier lifetstyle practice all around ~

  2. Eli🌱🫶🏾🫡🪱 Avatar
    Eli🌱🫶🏾🫡🪱

    “Change is a gift and a responsibility” is an interesting reframing of “Alcoholism isn’t your fault, but it is your responsibility.” It seems much less direct in the hopes it would sound less… offensive.

    For me, part of surrender has been dropping the critical part of myself that looks to disagree. In AA, and with the basic text, it’s easy to find flaws in the basic text. And while I’m used to reading like an editor or critic, the BB isn’t a news article. It isn’t even really a treatise. When I was ready to change in new ways, it was much more helpful to read to understand.

  3. Mink Avatar
    Mink

    Working on step 6 now, and I think it’s definitely a beautiful thing. step 6 and 7 are definitely related, and I feel like I am preparing for step 7. This is a great reminder that I need to do my stepwork.

  4. Ari L Avatar
    Ari L

    “The only way to make sense of change is to plunge into it and join the dance.” -Alan Watts

    I’ve always loved that quote, and I think it encapsulates my philosophy pretty well. I’m not sure whether change is always a gift, but we can ride the wave no matter how choppy the seas and in so doing appreciate what the change brings.

  5. Elexi W.S.A. Avatar

    I’ve noticed spiritual growth in change just makin’ sure I write these stress free zones lately. I have my own Mosque right now that assists me (moi) in prayin sometimes to an Allah of my own understandin’ who won’t judge me just because I don’t fit into the binary world at large the way others want me to. There’s more of a spiritual sense of peace even attendin’ meetins’ at the AT center in Silverlake. I always strive very hard to attain what I want, and this has increased meditation also, and other spiritual growths, oh also study makes my spellwork in paganism sharper too, and keeps me focused.

  6. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    Patience and self reflection show me the growth I would not see in motion. By noticing the subtle shifts in how I approach life over time, I witness the hand of my HP at work in my life. One day at a time and just for today.

    Thank you for sharing recovery with me. Grateful.

  7. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    Step 7 talks about removing the things that cause pain and misery. Being in such a state of desperation and becoming ready to have God remove all of these defects one has to decide if they’re truly ready. This is a lifelong step I asked God to remove defects on a daily basis… it’s not something that just goes away magically overnight… but thanks to God and this step I am aware of it when it happens and open up the toolbox and use the tools to have the shortcomings removed at that moment…

  8. Margot E. Avatar
    Margot E.

    Last year I wrote of having a feeling of being home. Then WTF! I find myself constantly leaving “home” and then having to come back to get grounded and centered. Maybe I have to keep coming back to this one over and over again.

  9. Slim Jim Avatar
    Slim Jim

    I hope I am being more loving. I know I seem to be handling my commitments to others much better. Which makes my life feel more fulfilling.

  10. Easy does it Avatar
    Easy does it

    I am really starting to feel that psychic change after my last relapse. I can see others through the eyes of love and compassion as opposed to self centeredness. This brings much more peace and serenity.

  11. Margot E. Avatar
    Margot E.

    What a relief! I can take off my God cape and turn my life and my will over to a Power greater than myself. I am still reeling from Step Six and a complete surrender and along comes Step 7 to relieve me of my worry and my pain. I don’t have to be my idea of perfection. I only need to know I am exactly where I’m supposed to be, doing exactly what my Higher Power intended. It feels a lot like being home.

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