One of the things that struck me as odd about 12step recovery is that we spend a lot of time thinking about our liabilities character defects, but not somuch our character assets. The big book of aa uses the word powerless once, and the word power over 65. 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. He said, in effect if you have a resentment you want to be free of, if. The prayer i mentioned, from the big book of alcoholics anonymous, is a simple and profound way to establish this attitude.
In the examples given in the big book of alcoholics anonymous. When breaking down step six i like to focus more on the word ready than entirely. The big book of alcoholics anonymous spends only a single paragraph on step 6. It is also valuable to read the big book for specific topics or subjects. Please feel free character defects and the big book soberrecovery.
If god is everything and i believe that god is part of everything, he exists beyond my ability to know him yet i can also feel contact with him. This is the step that separates the men from the boys. Jul 20, 2010 does aa work because its a form of cbt. The part of the book that discusses working on character defects is called into action for a reason. This statement turned out to be the aa solution for alcoholism. They characterize us, governing the way we conduct ourselves and live out our lives. The first stage involves a detailed look at the acquired character defects that we are aware of at this point in the program. But if pride is the breeding ground of all character defects, humility is the nourishing soil of all the virtues. Wilson and smith developed aas twelve step program of spiritual and character development, which they believed was the key to breaking the bondage to alcohol. When i first began to hear people in aa talking about character defects i presumed i possibly had one or two. The second edition of the seminal work of alcoholics anonymous, the big book, was released in 1955 and continues to be. They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of.
Were entirely ready to have god remove all these defects of character. 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. Within the book twelve steps and twelve traditions, affectionately know as the 12n12 by aa members, some examples of character defects are. Step 6 is an important step in recovery for several reasons. At first nearly every alcoholic we approached began to slip, if indeed he sobered up at all. I knew definitely that i drank much too much but aside from that fact i was a pretty good guy. Jan 07, 2020 breaking down step six of aa alcoholics anonymous. Grant me strength, as i go out from here, to do your bidding. Among the positive traits, aa highlights such virtues as acceptance.
The big book states, remember that we deal with alcohol. However, alcoholics anonymous is controversial for its unclear and sometimes embellished efficacy, as well as outsiders perception of its practices. 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. The opinions expressed on this page are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the original way group. Aa doesnt require that you believe in any specific god. Isnt this type of thinking in itself a character defect, known as negative thinking. My sponsor is strictly by the book he maid me start at the doctors opinion and when i got to the 3rd step prayer in how it works he asked me asked me the first to steps and i agreed then we went from there i took the third step and at once did an inventory then admitted to him and god and myself my wrongs then i was ready to have him remove my defects of character so i did my seventh step with. 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. Step six of aas alcoholics anonymous twelve step program of recovery is all about the.
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. Step 6 is the getting ready for removal stepthe step that can bring noticeable change when it comes to our thought patterns and behaviors. 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. Lydias character defect list visit her site for updated versions of this list. Examples of selfishness, dishonesty, selfseeking, fear, and inconsideraton by mike b.
The book alcoholics anonymous, aka the big book, is the basic text for the aa program of sobriety. Find all uses of this word in the big book alcoholics anonymous and the twelve steps and twelve. Defects of character program theory alcoholics anonymous. 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. How does alcoholics anonymous compare with the bible. Bob, anne smith, and perhaps even bill wilson, with much of the fodder that caused them to focus on james and conclude that. Alcohol is but a symptom says the big book of alcoholics anonymous. 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. Alcoholics anonymous aa was founded in 1935 by bill wilson and dr. 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.
Character defects are defense mechanism, which add to our denial of addiction. They only thought they had lost their egoism and fear. The second stage of step six is becoming entirely ready to have god remove all these defects of character. Character defects in 12 step programmes wrongs, shortcomings. For example, one can read it for all the character defects mentioned, or the promises made, or the times it says recovered rather than recovering. Here and there, once in a while, alcoholics have had what are called vital spiritual experiences. The big books way to be rid of resentment pages 63 67. Whether character defects created the space or not, whether the wrongs are real or fancied, for us to continue to resent or refeel the anger, we are always in our character defects. Breaking down step six of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. Mar 31, 2012 alcohol is but a symptom says the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Origins of moral inventory aa the original way group. There are 31 mentions of pride, 3 of prideful, and 1 of proud. The inventory is of our defects, not our incidents. As of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise distributed source aa gso ny.
Step 5, once a simple conversation of the aa members selfcentered character defects and the. Working on the seventh step requires constant thoughtfulness and commitment to being honest, courageous and humble. 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. In the business world, when a company does an inventory or balance sheet, they list the assets and the liabilities. Dec 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. Our character is the sum total of moral traits, attributes, or qualities that make up our moral selves. The character defects to be turned over to god are resentment prayer on page 552 of the aa big book. This is a big misconception about alcoholics anonymous and one that causes some people to avoid. Some of these defects are native to my character and some are acquired. The chief activator of our defects of character has been selfcentered fear. List of character defects for 12 step recovery work heres a list i found. The only exception to the big book s instruction is a 5th column, whereby we identify what we can do differently in the future. Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness. Into action h aving made our personal inventory, what shall we do about it.
So declares a wellloved clergyman who happens to be one of a. Selfishness and character defects emotional sobriety and. The miracle of aa the promises of aa promises of alcohol the big book. His is the step that separates the men from the boys. This does not mean that we expect all our character defects to be lifted out of us as the. It is during this step that you must be completely willing and ready to have the god of your understanding remove the character defects. These incredible shares deal with this topic masterfully. A practical guide to letting go of the character defects that get in the way of true and joyful recovery. Dealing with character defects cardinal house recovery. This is the most modern audio version of the alcoholics anonymous big book.
I needed to go to the very brink of suicide before i realised that selfpity was a character defect that i needed to address. We think the reason is that they never completed their housecleaning. The sixth step directions are in the big book on the top of page 76 in one paragraph. Then fear, in turn, generates more character defects. Hence our reader will find many references to the runners bible in footnotes in our title the good book and the big book. 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.
Similar to when any of us have went out and bought a car, how often over the next few months do we notice that same car being driven on the road. Want jason wahler inperson for your next gathering. List of character defects for 12 step recovery work realistic. Flaws in our makeup is perhaps the simplest definition of character defects in the big book. 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. By no means can his book be used to replace aas big book, the 12 and 12 or any other aspect of aa. 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. However the word ready is a reminder that we are prepared, open and available. Others would stay dry six months or maybe a year and then take a skid. 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. Step 6 is a preparation step, giving us awareness of our character defects. My sponsor had me find a new way to drive to work every single day as part of step 6.
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. Having persevered with the rest of the program, they wondered why they fell. Synonyms for character defects within all 12 step programmes character defects are described in a variety of ways. This page is about moral inventory and its historical roots in aa. The big books way to be rid of resentment pages 63 67 instructions. Thus seen, recovery is a lifelong process of surrendering the one and growing in the other. When the word optional is used in the worksheets, it means that the big book suggests doing this but.
We were entirely ready to have god remove all these. Within the 12 steps themselves character defects are referred to as. Were entirely ready to have god remove all our defects of character. Take each major character defect and write three to five. Breaking down step seven of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. In 12 step recovery programmes, selfpity is recognised as a character defect. 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. Steps six and seven are only briefly discussed in the book alcoholics anonymous commonly called the big book which serves as a basic text for many in addiction recovery. Step 6 worksheet better choices counseling services. The only exception to the big books instruction is a 5th column, whereby we identify what we can do differently in the future. Character defects are described in the big book as flaws in our makeup which caused. So step sixwere entirely ready to have god remove all these defects of characteris a.
Breaking down step six of aa alcoholics anonymous jason wahler. Most people think of aa as a spiritual process with its main emphasis on giving it all up to god or a higher power. Removing defects of character page 62 of the big book so our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making. In the twelve steps, many of those in recovery from addiction or alcoholism have to address their character defects. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves reading. Removing character defects steps six and seven kindle edition by p. Removing character defects, steps six and seven 2nd. If god is everything, he is in my character defects. Does alcoholics anonymous work because its a form of. Aas are often asked what is the difference between defects of character in step six and shortcomings in step seven. They took inventory all right, but hung on to some of the worst items in stock. Defects in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12.
They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of selfwill run riot, though he usually doesnt think so. Most of the methods used today to work step 4 make this simple step much more complicated. This is a big misconception about alcoholics anonymous and one that causes some people to avoid meetings. Moral inventory became part of deep self surrender. Where are the steps outlinedlaid out in the big book. Julie danenhauer on experience the big book aa meetings available online. Defects of character alcoholics anonymous cleveland. Four sentences that boil down to a single question. It is the main breeder of fear, a soulsickness in its own right p. First printed in 1939 and 1952, respectively, both were principally authored by aa cofounder bill wilson. Now we can aim at the very best of all we know or can learn. Once identified these character defects can be relieved by a higher power through taking and practicing the remainder of the steps. 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.
Breaking down step five of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. Checklist of flaws and assets 4 character defect opposite asset 4 aggressive, belligerent goodnatured, gentle angry2 forgiving, calm, generous apathetic interested, concerned, alert apprehensive, afraid calm, courageous argumentative, quarrelsome agreeable arrogant, insolent unassuming, humble attacking, critical fair, selfrestrained. For me, and for many other aa members who have used the worksheets, the 4th step worksheets contained in this book have proved to be a valuable tool to accomplishing this inventory step. 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. These fourth step worksheets use the wording from alcoholics anonymous the big book pages 6371. And so, the aa accusation that alcoholics are people unable to recognize their wrongdoings and character defects sounded familiar to me. The fellowship had the same symptoms as a narcissist.
Origins of moral inventory in alcoholics anonymous. All of them come from s elfishness selfcenteredness, which is the root of our troubles. Core character defects 4 study from the bottom of page 63 to the end of page 65 and. On desire, fear and the activation of our character defects. Reprinted from the big book, alcoholics anonymous, with permission of a.