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Iam new to this group. Iam amazed how quickly many of you can read a posting, digest the topic & respond with additional information that hits the spot or challenges me to consider my beliefs in a new & meaningful way. (I have to consider new information for an extended period of time before I can make a response that has any real meaning.) First, I have to thank Ray for the link you posted titled: “A Fresh View” of Repentance.
Repentance is a topic that I have been thinking a great deal about lately. Especially the process of Repentance. I must admit that for a number of years now, I thought repentance was something I need to do just before the sacrament was passed on Sunday morning. How foolish!
Second, as I stated in my posting of 11 Nov, Iam an Alcoholic for the past 21+ years. I will not go into alot of details.
Wayfarer stated it best on 11 Nov, “…anonymity is the spiritual foundation of AA — there are very good reasons behind keeping your program very personal.”
To comment on Ray’s posting, you need to know that my beliefs are filtered through the program of “AA”. Iam an Alcoholic first before anything else. Even my membership in the LDS church.
The “AA” program teaches me that Will Power (ALONE) has no place in my program of recovery. The older members told me the following: Don’t drink & work an (AA) Program on a daily basis.
As a result, in the beginning especially, we go to alot of meetings & talk to alot of people that have had similar experiences. Overtime, we realize that we are not unique or special. Others have have gone through this recovery process too & their lifes are better for it.
What I’m trying to say is: Repentance is very similar. It’s a process. Not a moment of contrition, then eat the bread & drink the water, go home & start over.
I hope this makes sense.
Mike from Milton.
Mike wrote:Wayfarer stated it best on 11 Nov, “…anonymity is the spiritual foundation of AA — there are very good reasons behind keeping your program very personal.”
To comment on Ray’s posting, you need to know that my beliefs are filtered through the program of “AA”. Iam an Alcoholic first before anything else. Even my membership in the LDS church.
The “AA” program teaches me that Will Power (ALONE) has no place in my program of recovery. The older members told me the following: Don’t drink & work an (AA) Program on a daily basis.
As a result, in the beginning especially, we go to alot of meetings & talk to alot of people that have had similar experiences. Overtime, we realize that we are not unique or special. Others have have gone through this recovery process too & their lifes are better for it.
What I’m trying to say is: Repentance is very similar. It’s a process. Not a moment of contrition, then eat the bread & drink the water, go home & start.
sure does, mike.steps 1-9 are progessive and developmental. after 20 years, the process has to land on steps 10-12, and some key points:
– Continual personal inventory and when wrong promptly addressing it
– Prayer and meditation to improve my conscious contact with the spirit, however that may be defined for me.
– Praying only for knowledge of the Way and the power to follow it
– Maintaining an ongoing spiritual awakening
– Practicing these principles in all affairs
Mike, I found in time that personal spirituality is found within, as i am sure you have as well. For me, this means that even the program is just another organization, and the spirit has led me to a point where the principles could be found anywhere. you no doubt have heard the maxim, “Take what you need, and leave the rest.” the idea is, you go to meetings, and of all the wacky stories you hear, there are always nuggets that are so useful.
i think the principle of “take what you need and leave the rest” applies so well to the NOM middle way. as i go to church with my DW, seven of the eleven elements of a sacrament meeting will uplift me and bring me closer to the spirit regardless of what is said in the other four. (the eleven elements: prelude, postlude, 3 hymns, musical number, sacrament, 2 prayers, welcome/announcements, and talks.) that’s just the minimum, and i think spiritual discernment can guide the rest. as a matter of necessity, i need to focus on the positive, and not let the narrow mindset of some of the doctrines and people get me down.
may you find joy in the journey.
Ever since I’ve been coming to this site your quote (& AA saying), Quote:“…take what you need and leave the rest”
has been running through my mine on so many levels. On a spiritual or religious level, maybe God will reveal more when we’re ready to receive them or maybe they are not needed for our current state of development.This is a interesting place to come & share our thoughts, hopes & ideas.
Thanks everyone.
Mike from Milton.
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