It is the main breeder of fear, a soulsickness in its own right p. Step four asked you to compile a moral inventory and step five asked that you share your wrongs with your chosen higher power and with a discreet person that you trust. Dec 10, 2016 big book using the big book boredom with the program the bottom is where you stop digging you hit bottom when you stop digging breaking my anonymity bring the body and the mind will follow but for the grace of god carrying the message change changing routines, changing people, places and things to avoid drinking character defects. This is the most modern audio version of the alcoholics anonymous big book. Self pity is a habitual behaviour that drags you into depression. We were entirely ready to have god remove all these. Twelve step prayers spiritual alcoholics anonymous cleveland. Breaking down step six of aa alcoholics anonymous jason wahler.
It is the basic text of the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous, and has helped large numbers of alcoholic men and women, young and old, recover. The part of the book that discusses working on character defects is called into action for a reason. Among the positive traits, aa highlights such virtues as acceptance. Lydias character defect list visit her site for updated versions of this list. Liabilities and assets checklist for a moral inventory the introduction to the fourth step starts at the bottom of page 63 of the aa text. However the word ready is a reminder that we are prepared, open and available. Fourth step inventory these fourth step worksheets use the wording from alcoholics anonymous the big book pages 6371. Step six of aas alcoholics anonymous twelve step program of recovery is all about. As of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise distributed source aa gso ny.
It is the basic text of the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous, and has helped large numbers of alcoholic men and women, young and old, recover as of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise distributed source aa gso ny. Removing character defects steps six and seven kindle edition. I also read the 12 x 12 and went to some 12x 12 study groups where we really see more of the problems of inventory. I like that you describe more than just praying to have the defects removed but actually acting differently even though it went against the grain. Defects of character alcoholics anonymous cleveland. T his is the step that separates the men from the boys. They had seemed so simple in the aa big book that i had searched around to repress my. When the word optional is used in the worksheets, it means that the big book suggests doing this but does not suggest writing anything down. Mar 31, 2012 these spiritual and character defects, says the program, are where we addicts must eventually focus if we are to stay sober and ever to be happy, joyous and free, and the twelve steps are designed to help the addict or alcoholic take these on, systematically and incrementally, but habitually, one day at a time. But if pride is the breeding ground of all character defects, humility is the nourishing soil of all the virtues. This brings us to the fifth step in the program of recovery mentioned in the preceding chapter. Removing defects of character page 62 of the big book whatever our protestation, are not most of us concerned with ourselves, our resentments, or our selfpity. Character defects or flaws a list of major defects. Aas are often asked what is the difference between defects of character in step six and shortcomings in step seven.
Part of the 12step program of recovery is for addicts to list their own character defects. Add a daily prayer and reflection period in which you present your character defects to god with the willingness to let god decide what to remove and when. Aug 15, 2016 5 ways your character defects hinder your recovery recognizing character defects in others is sometimes easier than recognizing our own. Step five of aas alcoholics anonymous twelve step program is essential to the fundamental change of personality required to overcome an alcohol andor drug addiction. Were not going to list this extensive list here, but focus on the major.
List of character defects for 12step recovery the symptoms of spiritual awakening set aside prayer 12step prayers index for the big book i am your disease promises of alcohol vs aa letting go acceptance was the answer the doctors opinion the 6 original steps in bill ws handwriting principles of the 12step recovery process recovery process. Free 12 step recovery information guides for working all 12 steps, 12 stepspiritual exercises, articles, handouts, meditations, big book workgroup formats, 12 traditions info, 12 concepts info, etc. They characterize us, governing the way we conduct ourselves and live out our lives. Grant me strength, as i go out from here, to do your bidding. The book alcoholics anonymous, aka the big book, is the basic text for the aa program of sobriety. I always wonder why bill and the writers decided to make such a drastic change. Jul 20, 2010 most people think of aa as a spiritual process with its main emphasis on giving it all up to god or a higher power. The 12 steps of aa are the principles of the program that we practice, as listed in the big book, pages 59 and 60. Aa tells us and personal experience confirms that not drinking is not enough. 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. Step 6 is the getting ready for removal stepthe step that can bring noticeable change when it comes to our thought patterns and behaviors. Step 6 introduces the phrase defects of character, which requires some comment.
The big book of alcoholics anonymous spends only a single paragraph on step 6. Step six were entirely ready to have god remove all these defects of character. They are certain to still have a number of character defects. Sometimes self pity arises when you feel unable to accept a situation. The inventory is of our defects, not our incidents. The character defects of addicts the aa alcoholics anonymous has listed about 194 character flaws. Filled with practical information for those first days of sober living, this little book offers newcomers advice about the program, how long it takes, and what to look for in a sponsor. Pages 60 and 61 in alcoholics anonymous devote two paragraphs to this topic, beginning with. Where are the steps outlinedlaid out in the big book.
Step 5, once a simple conversation of the aa members selfcentered character defects and the. Thus seen, recovery is a lifelong process of surrendering the one and growing in the other. List of character defects for 12 step recovery work realistic. This is a big misconception about alcoholics anonymous and one that causes some people to avoid. Defects in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12.
It made me realize i had never actually done the steps 6 and 7 as set out in the into action chapter of the alcoholics anonymous big book despite having been sober 12 years. If you are suffering from alcoholism, or other addictions, selfpity has the potential to kill you. Alcoholics anonymous step 6 says, we became willing to ask god to help us remove our defects of character. Breaking down step five of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. May 03, 2009 heres another character defect list i found over at a forum on 194 character defects 1 abusing others for enjoyment 2 action, failing to take 3 aloof 4 anger anger 37, 66, 88, 108, 5 5 antagonistic 6 anxiety 7 anxious, overly 8 apathetic 9 apologetic, overly 10 appearances, preoccupied or obsessed with 11. Big book using the big book boredom with the program the bottom is where you stop digging you hit bottom when you stop digging breaking my anonymity bring the body and the mind will follow but for the grace of god carrying the message change changing routines, changing people, places and things to avoid drinking character defects. Implicit in this idea is a relinquishment of personal responsibility, free.
Defects of character program theory alcoholics anonymous. Check out what the big book of aa alcoholics anonymous says about working step five. Our character is the sum total of moral traits, attributes, or qualities that make up our moral selves. The first stage involves a detailed look at the acquired character defects that we are aware of at this point in the program. Step 4 character defects and the big book this thread is a listing of some of the character defects and where they are referred to in the big book as well as thoughts on each. Were entirely ready to have god remove all these defects of character. The basic text of the big book contained in this audiobook remains unchanged and is still used in the program to this day.
He goes on to explain that any person capable of enough willingness and honesty to try re. The 164 and more book, ebook, and web site are all concordances which display passages from the big book alcoholics anonymous, the twelve steps and twelve traditions, and the a. He goes on to explain that any person capable of enough willingness and honesty to try repeatedly step six on all his faults without any reservations. Jun 22, 2018 aa speakers joe and charlie steps 5, 6, 7, and 8 the big book comes alive duration. Dec 07, 2018 it is an open invitation to partner with our higher power and make a firm decision to let go of the character defects or flaws that have been in control for years. Some members can recite passages without even looking at the text. Over the years many lists of virtues that correspond to each of the twelve steps and their underlying spiritual nature have been printed in local area aa newsletters and on pocket cards. Im still glad i did the simple put outlay in the aa book in my early sobrity though. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, selfdelusion, selfseeking and selfpity. Remember that as recently as dsmii, alcoholism and addiction were listed as personality disorders american psychiatric association, 1968. If you got through both of those steps, good job on your achievement. Character defects are described in the big book as flaws in our makeup which caused. Part of the rehab and recovery process for substance abuse means identifying our personal character defects and recognizing how we let our character defects hinder recovery.
Apr 26, 2010 add a daily prayer and reflection period in which you present your character defects to god with the willingness to let god decide what to remove and when. When breaking down step six i like to focus more on the word ready than entirely. The sixth step of alcoholics anonymous is an excellent example of that point and is often seen as the step that separates the men from the boys or the women from the girls. Aa speakers joe and charlie steps 5, 6, 7, and 8 the big book comes alive duration. Breaking down step six of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. It is common to hear readings from the book at meetings. These are meetings where the focus is on studying the big book. Character defects character defects are described in the big book as flaws in our makeup which caused our failure and as manifestations of self, expressions of our spiritual disease of selfishness and selfcenteredness. So declares a wellloved clergyman who happens to be one of a. Self pity is a habitual behaviour that drags you into depression in depression, if self pitying behaviour continues, it can lead you to feeling overwhelmed, and helpless if you are suffering from alcoholism, or other addictions, selfpity has the potential to kill you selfpity a cry for help. Letting go of old ideas in the how it works reading, we hear over and over that some of us have tried to hold onto our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely. To understand exactly how this step works and what you need to do to take it, you may need to think about the steps that came before it. Does alcoholics anonymous work because its a form of.
It is during this step that you must be completely willing and ready to have the god of your understanding remove the character defects. Recovery is a journey of continued spiritual, moral, and emotional growth, and to practice these principles in all our affairs the path that takes us beyond physical to emotional sobriety and the happiness and freedom the program promises and we naturally long for. We think we have done well enough in admitting these things to ourselves. The sixth step directions are in the big book on the top of page 76 in one paragraph. Jan 08, 2020 breaking down step five of aa alcoholics anonymous we admitted to god, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Four sentences that boil down to a single question. Aa doesnt require that you believe in any specific god. It is an open invitation to partner with our higher power and make a firm decision to let go of the character defects or flaws that have been in control for years.
This is the step that separates the men from the boys. Character in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and. Breaking down step five of aa alcoholics anonymous. They had seemed so simple in the aa big book that i had searched around to repress my character defects some other way for several years.
He said, in effect if you have a resentment you want to be free of, if. List of character defects for 12 step recovery work heres a list i found. This is a big misconception about alcoholics anonymous and one that causes some people to avoid meetings. Origins of moral inventory aa the original way group. He said, in effect if you have a resentment you want to be free of, if you will pray for the person or the thing that you. My sponsor had me find a new way to drive to work every single day as part of step 6. The big book states, remember that we deal with alcohol. These spiritual and character defects, says the program, are where we addicts must eventually focus if we are to stay sober and ever to be happy, joyous and free, and the twelve steps are designed to help the addict or alcoholic take these on, systematically and incrementally, but habitually, one day at a time. Since then, i have read many more spriitual books and have found more subtle definitions than what i read in the big book. Destructive behaviors usually reflect underlying character defects, which is the engine that drives most of our offthewall actions. Most people think of aa as a spiritual process with its main emphasis on giving it all up to god or a higher power.
By now the newcomer has probably arrived at the following conclusions. In the old days, these character defects were seen as the underlying psychodynamics that caused the addiction. Hence our reader will find many references to the runners bible in footnotes in our title the good book and the big book. It is during this step that you must be completely willing and ready to have the god of. The big book is the most important piece of literature used by the group. Moral inventory became part of deep self surrender. Now we can aim at the very best of all we know or can learn. Bob, anne smith, and perhaps even bill wilson, with much of the fodder that caused them to focus on james and conclude that. Character in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. Flaws in our makeup is perhaps the simplest definition of character defects in the big book.
The prayer i mentioned, from the big book of alcoholics anonymous, is a simple and profound way to establish this attitude. Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and more concordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either alcoholics. Jan 07, 2020 breaking down step six of aa alcoholics anonymous. This is the only absolute in the first 164 pages of the big book of alcoholics anonymous. The second stage of step six is becoming entirely ready to have god remove all these defects of character. When the word optional is used in the worksheets, it means that the big book suggests doing this. Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and more concordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either alcoholics anonymous. Going over the questions, you ask that the person be honest and admit his defects to himself, to you, and to god where two or more are gathered in his name, there shall he be. Giving up alcohol does not mean that people will become perfect overnight. Want jason wahler inperson for your next gathering. Ive always been curious as to the huge difference between the list of character defects between the big book and the 12 and 12. Liabilities and assets checklist for a moral inventory. In depression, if self pitying behaviour continues, it can lead you to feeling overwhelmed, and helpless. The character defects to be turned over to god are resentment prayer on page 552 of the aa big book.