THEN REMOVING ALL SELF-SERVING DESIRE COMES NEXT -  "When we ask our Higher Power to remove these shortcomings, we ask for freedom from anything which limits our recovery. We ask for help because we cannot do it alone." (It Works, How & Why, p. 49) "Freedom from the desire for an answer is essential to the understanding of a problem." - Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895 - 1986) Indian spiritual author/guru   True Faith New Order - (4:35)   Indian Raga Meditation w/ Krishnamurti notes below (7:27)   What solutions have been revealed to you lately after having asked for help?  …

How would you describe the "main ingredient" of your own spiritual growth, nowadays?   IT ALLOWS US TO LOOK DEEPER - "... when we have taken a square look at some of these de- fects, have discussed them with another, and have become willing to have them removed, our thinking about humility commences to have a wider meaning." (12 & 12, p. 74)   THE MAIN INGREDIENT - "We couldn't handle the ordeal of life by our- selves. It wasn't until we made  a mess of  our lives that we realized we couldn't do it  alone.  By admitting this,  we…

"A great turning point in our lives came when we sought for humility as something we really wanted; rather than as something we must have." (12 & 12, p. 75)   "My turning point was my pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.  It was then that I, who had dedicated most of my life to penetrate the  'secrets' of the universe; realized that there are no secrets.  Life is and will always be a mystery."  - Paulo Coelho (1947 -   ) Brazilian spiritual author   The Crossroads - Bone Thug-n-Harmony (4:37) Krishnamurti Speaks on the "the Turning Points" (10:42) Hypnotic Deep Guided…

What changes in your life do feel have been necessary to make, lately? THE NEXT TO LAST GASP AGAINST THE SQUALL - "Failure had be- come our way of life and self-esteem was non-existent." "When nothing relieved our para- noia  and  fear,  we hit  bot- tom and became ready to ask  for  help.  We  were searching for an answer when we reached out ... ." (The Basic Text, p. 15) "The greater the difficulty the more glory in sur- mounting it. Skillful pi- lots gain their repu- tation from storms and tempests." - Epicurus (341 BC - 270 BC) Greek…

"A PROGRAM OF ATTRACTION" - "... we are not a glum lot. If new- comers could see no joy or fun in our exist- ence, they wouldn't want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life. We try not to indulge in cynicism over the state  of  the  nations,  nor do we carry  the  world's troubles on our shoul- ders." (The Big Book, p. 132) "If you have zest and enthu- siasm you attract zest and enthusiasm. Life does give back in kind." - Norman Vincent Peale (1898 - 1993) U.S. clergyman   Physical Attraction - demo version - Madonna (6:16)…

CALL IT "GREAT SPIRIT" or WHAT YOU MAY "We can call it the group, the pro- gram, or we can call it God. The only suggested guidelines are that this Power be loving, caring and greater than our- selves." (The Basic Text, p. 24) THE WILLINGNESS TO BELIEVE IN A POWER GREATER THAN OURSELVES - " ' IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF BEING WILLING TO BELIEVE IN A POWER GREATER THAN MYSELF. NOTHING MORE WAS REQUIRED OF ME TO MAKE MY BEGINNING.' ... Scales of pride and prejudice fell from my eyes. A new world came into view." (The…

In re: The Now "It's being here now that's important. There's no past and there's no future.   Time is a very misleading thing.  All there is ever is the now. We can gain experience from the past, but we can't relive it, and we can hope for the future, but we don't know if there is one."  - George Harrison (1943 - 2001) musician & songwriter (the Beatles)   What beneficial results have you experienced lately from living in the now, one day at a time?    Yesterday -  The Beatles (2:25)  Thich Nhat Hanh Surrender to The Now (1:28) Meditating…

THE FLOODGATES OF EMOTION BEGIN TO OPEN - The dammed-up emotions of years break out of their con- finement, and miracu- lously vanish as soon as they are exposed. As the pain subsides, a healing tranquility takes its place." (12 & 12, p. 62) "The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise." - King David (c.1037-970 BC) second king of Israel   In what ways would a "broken and repentant heart" be on display through your own spiritual practice, lately?   Blame It - (Jaimie Foxx & Jake Gyllenhaal) …

"We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery. The delusion that we are like other people, or presently may be, has to be smashed." (The Big Book, p. 23)  "The ignorant mind, with its infinite, afflictions, passions, and evils, is rooted in the three poisons. Greed, anger, and delusion."- Bodhidharma (c. 5th century AD) Zen Buddhist monk & founder of Kung Fu.   What delusions that you mistakenly hold about yourself that you feel oughta be SMASHED? The Grand Illusion w/ lyrics (Styx) (4:38) The…

" ... this emerging from isolation through the open and honest sharing of our terrible burden of guilt, brings us to a resting place where we may prepare ourselves for the following Steps ... ." (12 & 12, p. 62)  "What we're all striving for is authenticity, a spirit - to - spirit connection." - Oprah Winfrey (1954 - ) U.S., TV mogul / actor   Under what circumstances have you felt especially connected with your HP or fellows? Hold On – Wilson Phillips (3:41) Otters  & Others Holding Hands (1:41) The Embrace – Ashana Singing Bowl Meditation   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epUk3T2Kfno  …