All other sources the little red book, the 12 and 12, group sponsored literature were written as accompaniments or guides to be used to assist and deepen the path laid out by the original members of alcoholics anonymous in the big book. May 15, 2016 the fourth step, like the whole of recovery, is a process not an event. Step 5 we are going to change it up a little and post a big book study workshop that took place in 2011, each speaker is presenting for about an hour on one step. Nov, 2019 my advice for heading into step 4 is to allow courage to rise and be completely honest with yourself while doing it. The following portion of chapter 5 of the big book, alcoholics anonymous is considered by many the. This 1212 book of essays was of course the words of bill w. The fourth step, like the whole of recovery, is a process not an event. Relaxation focus meditations prayers step 4 39 assets and liabilities check list 40 notes. Sharing 28 years of experience with the big book in a step workshop weekend the wilson house east dorset vt march 17 19, 2000. Twelvestep guide to using the alcoholics anonymous big book.
The big book is clearwe do this to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to god and our fellow man. Does drinking cause you to have difficulty in sleeping. These meetings are held for the purpose of acquainting both old and new members. We are not experts on the big book of alcoholics anonymous.
Big book step study hyannis format the primary purpose group. Step 5 admitted to god, to ourselves, and to another human being the. These last three steps keep us current and help us to continue to solidify the foundation of our recovery. At this stage of the inventory proceedings, our sponsors come to the rescue.
I am restored to sanity as a result of allowing something into my consciousness. How have i done the things ive resented in column 2 to the person ive listed in. Breaking down step eight of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. It is the originator of the seminal twelvestep method widely used to treat addictions that range from alcoholism, heroin, meth and marijuana addiction, as well as overeating, sex. Big book step study hyannis format we are looking at adopting a new format for some of our meetings, it is called the hyannis format and is based on a format developed in hyannis, massachusetts by some recovered alcoholics.
They comfort the melancholy one by fi rst showing him that his. What we endeavor to do is share our experience working the 12steps from the book alcoholics anonymous. Step 4 fear inventory form the big book authors indicate that the best way to deal with our fears is to do. Step 4 inventory tool theatre of the lie aa speakers. This guide represents the experiences, strengths, and hopes of many addicts who have found recovery in narcotics anonymous. An alcoholics personal story of taking step three an alcoholic shares his personal story of how he took step three, of aas 12 steps step 3. Step eight of aa alcoholics anonymous is the beginning of the process of making amends, forgiving others and possibly being forgiven by them, in addition to forgiving ourselves. Monthly big book readings aa the original way group. Notes on step four big book version kent state university. Breaking down step four of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. We had to see that when we harbored grudges and planned revenge for such. Any resentments or fears that arise from this are subjected to a step10 analysis. For example, after reading the big book version of franklin in the dark, children might tell what they are afraid of. Write their sentences on large paper and invite children to illustrate their page.
I admit that i am powerless over alcoholthat my life has. You may find the complete text on the official web site of alcoholics anonymous. We hope we have made clear the distinction between the alcoholic and the nonalcoholic. Step 5 admitted to god, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. For example, aa agnostica, a secular selfhelp organization for. Jan 05, 2020 step eight of aa alcoholics anonymous is the beginning of the process of making amends, forgiving others and possibly being forgiven by them, in addition to forgiving ourselves. Please note that all examples offered in this guide are not just someones opinion but rather taken from the big book and other a. I listed my resentments on paper, but not necessarily in chronological order. In order for this to happen we must go directly into steps 10, 11 and 12 while doing step 9. The big book carries the great message of the common solution. Whats the biggest requirement for this action step.
Make an appointment as soon as possible with your step advisor, sponsor or spiritual advisor to take step five. Big book step study vs 12 steps and 12 traditions, getting. The following is a suggested format for a big book step study meeting with emphasis on the fourth step. My advice for heading into step 4 is to allow courage to rise and be completely honest with yourself while doing it. Though our decisionstep 3 was a vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once fast followed by a. Bbss speakers on step four in accordance with the twelve traditions of alcoholics anonymous. We had to see that every time we played the big shot, we turned people against us. In the process, the period for taking the steps was expanded and modified from 4. Step 2 came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Step 4 fear inventory form the big book authors indicate that the best way to deal with our fears is to do exactly what we did with resentments. The big book explains that we must make a list that includes all our resentments we have and have ever had, an account of sexual conduct and our fears. In the lower righthand corner it reads, this is the third edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous.
Some people write down 1 page, others write the resentment in one notebook and my part the turnaround in another notebook. Shed layer after layer of pain, lies, shame, and anger, and get to the guts of who you are. Chapter 4 we agnostics i n the precedingchapters you have learned something of alcoholism. The fourth step inventory was modified and became a much more laborious and detailed procedure. The big book and a study guide of the 12 steps of aa. Step 4 big book step study step 4 turnarounds originally posted by wmj1012 as tommy outlined, the turnarounds can be written using columns his were good and thorough. Step four of aas twelve step program of recovery is infamously the scary one, probably because its a crucial step towards effective and lasting recovery. It was voted by group conscience that the purpose of this meeting is to help alcoholics achieve sobriety by studying, discussing, and practicing the steps as they are laid out in the.
Regardless of the method, our fourth step will be successful if we are searching and fearless. Aa uses the 12step formula outlined in the big book to ask members to take. This is the big book of alcoholics anonymous, describing how to recover from alcoholism, written by the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa, bill w. Since the overall philosophy of alcoholics anonymous is that alcoholism is just a symptom of a spiritual disease, the real problem is in character flaws that need. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of god, as we understood him. There are many methods of writing inventories, and no one way is right for everyone. With a few references to the big book 12 steps as the original format and where the 12 step process is made clear, some suggestion to seek god and grow spiritually, but all in all. Next we launched out on a course of vigorous action, the first step of which is a personal housecleaning, which many of us had never attempted. We asked his protection and care with complete abandon. This is also a guide and format for use or application of a.
You are never too old to improve your health and quality of life. Amongst the most helpful tape series for newcomers, they explore essential concepts of steps 14 with solid bookbased explanations. Amongst the most helpful tape series for newcomers, they explore essential concepts of steps 1 4 with solid book based explanations. Step two is specifically designed for the mental obsession. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. An unofficial guide to the twelve steps, edited by dr. The titled side also tells us what the book alcoholics anonymous is to members of the alcoholics anonymous fellowship. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol drugs, actingout behaviour, that our lives had become unmanageable.
Using the big book extending the big book experience invite children to help you write a class version of the big book. Big book of alcoholics anonymous 11th step meditation. There is a detailed instruction sheet that goes with the step 4 inventory forms, from the workshop. The big book adventure in a how to workshop for experiencing the steps as a way of life with dave f. May 18, 2015 using the big book extending the big book experience invite children to help you write a class version of the big book. Later on it is revealed that the common solution to alcoholism is a vital spiritual experience. First written in 1939, the 4th edition was published in 2001. To personalize the step for your study and action in the here and now, however, you may wish to rephrase it as. Step 4 made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Big book step study preamble sobriety, the freedom from alcohol through the teaching and practice of the twelve steps, is the sole purpose of an a. When the time was right for me, it seemed as if the pen in my hand had a direct connection to my mind, and the memories of a lifetime just poured out onto the page. For more information on becoming free of addiction, visit.
These recordings were made at the west broward club in davie, fl during late 20012002. This is the blue print of the 12 step recovery programs. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves reading. South floridas own big book george takes you through the 12 steps of alcohoics anonymous. To emphasise the point that we must keep doing this the book says. Please read that instruction sheet, follow the instructions, and also read all the references in the big book mentioned in the instructions, and read the big book references on each one of the individual forms. The big book is the original source of for step instructions in alcoholics anonymous. Four they by no means take the place of doing the fourth step inventory as laid out in the big book of aa. Alcoholics anonymous an interpretation of our twelve steps. In the process, the period for taking the steps was expanded and modified from 4 weeks to somewhere in between 12 and 16 weeks. That is what the authors of the big book and millions before you did. We determined from the first part of the big book that we are powerless. We take six or so paragraphs from the book addressing each step and provide a panel of speakers who share continue reading open, big book, step study.