Back to Basics

react sanely and normally, and we will find that this
has happened automatically. We will see that our new
attitude toward liquor has been given us without any
thought or effort on our part. It just comes! That is
the miracle of it. We are not fighting it, neither are
we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had
been placed in a position of neutrality—safe and
protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the
problem has been removed. It does not exist for us.
We are neither cocky nor are we afraid. That is our
experience. That is how we react so long as we keep
in fit spiritual condition.

It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action
and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if
we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of
alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve
contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condi-
tion. Every day is a day when we must carry the
vision of God's will into all of our activities. “How
can I best serve Thee—Thy will (not mine) be done."
These are thoughts which must go with us constantly.
We can exercise our will power along this line all we
wish. It is the proper use of the will.

Much has already been said about receiving
strength, inspiration, and direction from Him who
has all knowledge and power. If we have carefully
followed directions, we have begun to sense the flow
of His Spirit into us. To some extent we have become
God-conscious. We have begun to develop this vital
sixth sense. But we must go further and that means
more action.

Step Eleven suggests prayer and meditation. We
shouldn't be shy on this matter of prayer. Better men

than we are using it constantly. It works, if we have
the proper attitude and work at it. It would be easy
to be vague about this matter. Yet, we believe we can
make some definite and valuable suggestions.

When we retire at night, we constructively review
our day. Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or
afraid? Do we owe an apology? Have we kept some-
thing to ourselves which should be discussed with
another person at once? Were we kind and loving
toward all? What could we have done better? Were
we thinking of ourselves most of the time? Or were
we thinking of what we could do for others, of
what we could pack into the stream of life? But we
must be careful not to drift into worry, remorse or
morbid reflection, for that would diminish our useful-
ness to others. After making our review we ask God's
forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures
should be taken.

On awakening let us think about the twenty-four
hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Be­-
fore we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking,
especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity,
dishonest or self-seeking motives. Under these condi-
tions we can employ our mental faculties with as-
surance, for after all God gave us brains to use. Our
thought-life will be placed on a much higher plane
when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives.

In thinking about our day we may face indecision.
We may not be able to determine which course to
take. Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive
thought or a decision. We relax and take it easy. We
don't struggle. We are often surprised how the right
answers come after we have tried this for a while.

than we are using it constantly. It works, if we have
the proper attitude and work at it. It would be easy
to be vague about this matter. Yet, we believe we can
make some definite and valuable suggestions.

When we retire at night, we constructively review
our day. Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or
afraid? Do we owe an apology? Have we kept some-
thing to ourselves which should be discussed with
another person at once? Were we kind and loving
toward all? What could we have done better? Were
we thinking of ourselves most of the time? Or were
we thinking of what we could do for others, of
what we could pack into the stream of life? But we
must be careful not to drift into worry, remorse or
morbid reflection, for that would diminish our useful-
ness to others. After making our review we ask God's
forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures
should be taken.

On awakening let us think about the twenty-four
hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Be­-
fore we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking,
especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity,
dishonest or self-seeking motives. Under these condi-
tions we can employ our mental faculties with as-
surance, for after all God gave us brains to use. Our
thought-life will be placed on a much higher plane
when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives.

In thinking about our day we may face indecision.
We may not be able to determine which course to
take. Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive
thought or a decision. We relax and take it easy. We
don't struggle. We are often surprised how the right
answers come after we have tried this for a while.

than we are using it constantly. It works, if we have
the proper attitude and work at it. It would be easy
to be vague about this matter. Yet, we believe we can
make some definite and valuable suggestions.

When we retire at night, we constructively review
our day. Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or
afraid? Do we owe an apology? Have we kept some-
thing to ourselves which should be discussed with
another person at once? Were we kind and loving
toward all? What could we have done better? Were
we thinking of ourselves most of the time? Or were
we thinking of what we could do for others, of
what we could pack into the stream of life? But we
must be careful not to drift into worry, remorse or
morbid reflection, for that would diminish our useful-
ness to others. After making our review we ask God's
forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures
should be taken.

On awakening let us think about the twenty-four
hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Be­-
fore we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking,
especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity,
dishonest or self-seeking motives. Under these condi-
tions we can employ our mental faculties with as-
surance, for after all God gave us brains to use. Our
thought-life will be placed on a much higher plane
when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives.

In thinking about our day we may face indecision.
We may not be able to determine which course to
take. Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive
thought or a decision. We relax and take it easy. We
don't struggle. We are often surprised how the right
answers come after we have tried this for a while.

than we are using it constantly. It works, if we have
the proper attitude and work at it. It would be easy
to be vague about this matter. Yet, we believe we can
make some definite and valuable suggestions.

When we retire at night, we constructively review
our day. Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or
afraid? Do we owe an apology? Have we kept some-
thing to ourselves which should be discussed with
another person at once? Were we kind and loving
toward all? What could we have done better? Were
we thinking of ourselves most of the time? Or were
we thinking of what we could do for others, of
what we could pack into the stream of life? But we
must be careful not to drift into worry, remorse or
morbid reflection, for that would diminish our useful-
ness to others. After making our review we ask God's
forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures
should be taken.

On awakening let us think about the twenty-four
hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Be­-
fore we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking,
especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity,
dishonest or self-seeking motives. Under these condi-
tions we can employ our mental faculties with as-
surance, for after all God gave us brains to use. Our
thought-life will be placed on a much higher plane
when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives.

In thinking about our day we may face indecision.
We may not be able to determine which course to
take. Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive
thought or a decision. We relax and take it easy. We
don't struggle. We are often surprised how the right
answers come after we have tried this for a while.

to establish and maintain the new order of things, were
the essential requirements.

Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid. It
meant destruction of self-centeredness. I must turn
in all things to the Father of Light who presides over
us all.

These were revolutionary and drastic proposals, but
the moment I fully accepted them, the effect was elec-
tric. There was a sense of victory, followed by such a
peace and serenity as I had never known. There was
utter confidence. I felt lifted up, as though the great
clean wind of a mountain top blew through and
through. God comes to most men gradually, but His
impact on me was sudden and profound.

For a moment I was alarmed, and called my friend,
the doctor, to ask if I were still sane. He listened in
wonder as I talked.

Finally he shook his head saying, "Something has
happened to you I don't understand. But you had
better hang on to it. Anything is better than the way
you were." The good doctor now sees many men who
have such experiences. He knows that they are real.

While I lay in the hospital the thought came that
there were thousands of hopeless alcoholics who might
be glad to have what had been so freely given me.
Perhaps I could help some of them. They in turn
might work with others.

My friend had emphasized the absolute necessity of
demonstrating these principles in all my affairs. Par-
ticularly was it imperative to work with others as he
had worked with me. Faith without works was dead,
he said. And how appallingly true for the alcoholic!
For if an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his

What used to be the hunch or the occasional inspira­
tion gradually becomes a working part of the mind.
Being still inexperienced and having just made con-
scious contact with God, it is not probable that we are
going to be inspired at all times. We might pay for
this presumption in all sorts of absurd actions and
ideas. Nevertheless, we find that our thinking will,
as time passes, be more and more on the plane of in-
spiration. We come to rely upon it.

We usually conclude the period of meditation with
a prayer that we be shown all through the day what
our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we
need to take care of such problems. We ask especially
for freedom from self-will, and are careful to make no
request for ourselves only. We may ask for ourselves,
however, if others will be helped. We are careful
never to pray for our own selfish ends. Many of us
have wasted a lot of time doing that and it doesn't
work. You can easily see why

If circumstances warrant, we ask our wives or
friends to join us in morning meditation. If we belong
to a religious denomination which requires a definite
morning devotion, we attend to that also. If not mem-
bers of religious bodies, we sometimes select and
memorize a few set prayers which emphasize the
principles we have been discussing. There are many
helpful books also. Suggestions about these may be
obtained from one's priest, minister, or rabbi. Be
quick to see where religious people are right. Make
use of what they offer.

As we go through the day we pause, when agitated
or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action.
We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer

What used to be the hunch or the occasional inspira­
tion gradually becomes a working part of the mind.
Being still inexperienced and having just made con-
scious contact with God, it is not probable that we are
going to be inspired at all times. We might pay for
this presumption in all sorts of absurd actions and
ideas. Nevertheless, we find that our thinking will,
as time passes, be more and more on the plane of in-
spiration. We come to rely upon it.

We usually conclude the period of meditation with
a prayer that we be shown all through the day what
our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we
need to take care of such problems. We ask especially
for freedom from self-will, and are careful to make no
request for ourselves only. We may ask for ourselves,
however, if others will be helped. We are careful
never to pray for our own selfish ends. Many of us
have wasted a lot of time doing that and it doesn't
work. You can easily see why

If circumstances warrant, we ask our wives or
friends to join us in morning meditation. If we belong
to a religious denomination which requires a definite
morning devotion, we attend to that also. If not mem-
bers of religious bodies, we sometimes select and
memorize a few set prayers which emphasize the
principles we have been discussing. There are many
helpful books also. Suggestions about these may be
obtained from one's priest, minister, or rabbi. Be
quick to see where religious people are right. Make
use of what they offer.

As we go through the day we pause, when agitated
or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action.
We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer

running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many
times each day "Thy will be done." We are then in
much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry,
self-pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more
efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not
burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were
trying to arrange life to suit ourselves.

It works—it really does.

We alcoholics are undisciplined. So we let God
discipline us in the simple way we have just outlined.

But this is not all. There is action and more action.
"Faith without works is dead." The next chapter is
entirely devoted to Step Twelve.