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The Twelve Steps - Step XII

by Wally P.

“Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”

Once we have surrendered to the “One who has all power,” removed the blocks that have separated us from this Power, and begun listening to the Power for “strength, inspiration, and direction,” we receive the greatest gift of this program, a spiritual awakening. The Power greater than human power, which resides inside each and every one of us, is now guiding us “in a way which is indeed miraculous.”

This life-changing experience comes suddenly to some, gradually to others. Nevertheless, if we follow the directions provided by the “Big Book” authors, we WILL experience a “transformation of thought and attitude.” On page 567 of the “Big Book,” the authors confirm this:

What often takes place in a few months could seldom have been accomplished by years of self discipline.

As the direct result of listening to the Power, we find the spiritual solution to our difficulties. On page 568, the “Big Book” authors state:

Most of us think this awareness of a Power greater than ourselves is the essence of spiritual experience. Our more religious members call it “God-consciousness.”

We expand our “God consciousness” by taking others through the recovery process. Now that we know how easy it is to take the Twelve Steps, we can be of real service to those who are still suffering. On page 89, the authors state that working with others also protects us from relapse:

Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail. This is our twelfth suggestion: Carry this message to other alcoholics! You can help when no one else can. You can secure their confidence when others fail.

When WE work with others, OUR lives change. Some of these changes are described on page 89:

Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends—this is an experience you must not miss. . . . Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives.

On pages 89 through 103, the “Big Book” authors provide us with specific instructions on how to carry our lifesaving message of recovery to others. They offer many valuable suggestions on these pages. A detailed list of these suggestions can be found in Chapter 5 of the book titled, Back to Basics.

In the first paragraph on page 100, the authors tell us we grow spiritually when we work with newcomers:

Both you and the new (person) must walk day by day in the path of spiritual progress. If you persist, remarkable things will happen. When we look back, we realize that the things which came to us when we put ourselves in God’s hands were better than anything we could have planned.

Now, all that’s left is to practice the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous every day. What are the principles? They are the Twelve Steps! These are the principles we rely upon in order to remain in the “sunlight of the Spirit” for the rest of our lives.

We are now ready to take the Twelfth Step. The Twelfth Step question is found in the first paragraph on page 89. It reads:

Will you carry this message to (others)?

If you can answer in the affirmative, you have taken Step Twelve. According to the “Big Book” authors and the A.A. pioneers, nothing more is required except to go through the process again and again.

On page 132, the authors describe what we can look forward to now that we are living in the solution and taking others through the work:

(W)e aren’t a glum lot. If newcomers could see no joy or fun in our existence, they wouldn’t want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life. . . So we think cheerfulness and laughter make for usefulness. . . (And) why shouldn’t we laugh? We have recovered, and have been given the power to help others.

Yes, we have become empowered as the direct result of taking and guiding others through the Twelve Steps. We know the sheer simplicity of the “original” recovery program and it is this program that we pass on to those in need. On page 94, the “Big Book” authors write:

It is important . . . to realize that our attempt to pass this on . . . plays a vital part in our own recovery.

By taking others through the Steps, we just might save a life or two, starting with our own.