Book Discussion - Big Book of AA

[one2many]

Book Discussion - Big Book of AA

Just a quick question, I remember somebody telling me that in addition to the drinking aspect that The Big Book is also a handbook to living whether you are a drinker or not?

Any input guys?

[Guitarista]

Book Discussion - Big Book of AA

Greeting's folk's!

Thank's for the thread DG, and the link to the Big book of course. I look forward to reading, and to everyone's thought's.

[Doggygirl]

Book Discussion - Big Book of AA

Hi again. Neva eva, thank you for sharing honestly and for your consideration about drinking and posting, etc. I don't have an issue and don't see a problem as long as we stay on topic. If anyone does, just speak up.

Oney, I have learned a lot about living from the Big Book. And there are 12 step programs out there for just about anything - I believe they all trace back to the 12 Steps of AA. For me it's about living more honestly and trying to do the right thing more often. Stuff like that. And how to live in a way that I can be comfortable with myself and my actions. Take responsibility for my actions. Be kind to others. Etc. For me it seems a good thing.

I'm so happy that we have a pretty big group interested.

If everyone has read the Preface, are we ready to move on to the Forward to the First Edition? It's a short section on pages xiii and xiv. Big Book On Line

Discuss....

DG

[Doggygirl]

Book Discussion - Big Book of AA

What's interesting to me is that the sentiment of being very conservative about change continues. Being at the convention this summer certainly gave me a sense of how much respect there is for the program as written. Right or wrong, I definitely feel that vibe!

It's always interesting to me to read a section that I have read previously, and see what I highlighted with my yellow marker. And then decide what, if anything I want to highlight this time around in a different color. There is one line I highlighted the first time around. "We simply wish to be helpful to those who are afflicted." I truly believe the sincerity of this line. Agree or not, like or not the principles and methods of AA, I absolutely believe in the sincerity of purpose.

I find it interesting that I glossed over (no highlighting) that whole section about anonymity. I used to think the only issue with anonymity was how it pertained to ME and nobody finding out I was attending AA meetings. There is a lot more depth to the concept of anonymity in AA than just my personal privacy. I learned more about that in the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions meetings - the Twelve Traditions were written well after the the forward we are now reading.

The last point of interest I will mention is a change from this initial forward to the time the Traditions (which guide the AA organization) were adopted in (I think) 1950. In this original Forward it says "the only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking." Tradition 3 says "The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking." The word "honest" was dropped. I'm sure that is not insignificant.

I came to MWO when I first decided I needed help to stop drinking - not AA. In looking back, I would describe my TRUE feelings as being a desire to stop drinking, of sorts. With a bit of a hint of a secret or not so secret desire to be able to control my drinking someday. I did NOT really have a 100% honest desire to stop drinking. Maybe a 90 % desire or so.

I imagine it is like this for many whose first stop is AA rather than MWO. I actually hear descriptions like that all the time. "I came here to get my wife/husband off my back." "I came here to get my drivers license back." "I came here to learn how to drink like a lady." (:H) So it's probably a good thing the word "honest" was dropped from the membership requirements. A lot fewer liars that way I would imagine.

DG

[papmom3]

Book Discussion - Big Book of AA

Being so new to the institution of AA (not really even new since I'm not yet going to meetings) and having never read the BB before, all this is sort of overwhelming. I tend to just read things through without really thinking about meanings. It's amazing I got through HS and college as well as I did!
Anyway, the one thing that jumped out at me about the Forward to the First Edition was this statement, separated from all the rest of the text, talking about the request for anonymity from the Press:


"Very earnestly we ask the press also, to observe this request, for otherwise we shall be greatly handicapped."

Were the founders and members that forward thinking in 1939 to know that they were going to have a huge impact on society and that this book was going to be a "bestseller" so to speak? Or, and this is where I'm fuzzy on history, was AA already well known and being thrust into the limelight?

[Doggygirl]

Book Discussion - Big Book of AA

P3, that's a very good question and I don't know the answer. I have a book "AA Comes of Age" which is more of a history of AA, from what I understand. (I haven't read it yet). Once I get my office stuff unpacked and back upstairs (post remodel) I can get that book out and see if there are any answers. Or maybe someone else here can shed some light.

I have heard so many stories of how hopeless things really were for alcoholics back in that time. There wasn't much hope apparently. Lots of people getting sent to asylums. So it's not hard for me to imagine that a hint of a workable "solution" might have generated quite a stir.

One of the women I go to meetings with has a lot of alcoholism in her family line. Her grandmother was committed to an asylum - there was just nothing else to be done in those days. Not posh like the Betty Ford Clinic or whatever, from what I understand.

DG

[cpn1004]

Book Discussion - Big Book of AA

Thanks to DG and everyone for starting this.
I really like this part To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book
I have to remind myself that I may not be "cured" of alcoholism, BUT I can recover.
Hope you all have a great week.

[gyco]

Book Discussion - Big Book of AA

good morning everyone,it will be interesting to see where a few of you folks are in a couple of years,the early history of AA is unbeleiveable,you just hav to look at the doctors opinion to figure that out,in late 1934 i attendedd a patient who,though he had been a comptent business man,of good earnings,was an [alchoholic of type] i had come to regard as hopeless.you have to realise this AA thing went on way before bill and bob tried to redesign it,by my readings there was something similar started in ireland in the md 1800 s.the group was named after the gentleman.plus you only have to read bob and bills stories to no there is different degree s of alchoholism,remember bill was very agnostic,and bob was a very religious man,but not religious enuff to no his God says lots about over drinking,so doesnt it make sense that these 2 so different individuals had to come up with a new plan,higher power the way one chooses to understand it,even at the many meeting s i attended ,and the rehab center,i was qquoted as saying,weve over the last 74 years,made stopping drinking into a multi trillion dollar business it doesnt take rocket science to figure out,some people or should i say many thousands of people shouldnt drink,one of the best things AA tot me,was to read and learn what im suppose to be discovering,if it works,hold onto it gyco

[retteacher]

Book Discussion - Big Book of AA

I just wanted to state for the record that I too want to stay completely sober. I KNOW I cannot moderate or have one once in a while. No champagne toasts on New Year's Eve. Nothing to take the edge off. No brandy to take the congestion out of a cold. Nothing. The absolute only way I can stay sober is to continue going to meetings & studying the BB.

I haven't read the forward yet, so I'm going to do that this afternoon & come back w/some sort of comment.

Thanks everyone for all the food for thought.

Mary

[retteacher]

Book Discussion - Big Book of AA

I just read the forward & must say my first impression was how hopeful it sounded. Having visited Bill's home in VT, I can visualize the historical significance of the BB.

I got from the forward:
-We must take a moral inventory.
-We must admit our faults to someone.
-We must make restitution for the harm we've done.
-We must ask an HP for help, as needed.

Simple but not easy.

For me, I also need to admit to myself & another person that I am an alcoholic.
-Yes, I'm a "problem drinker."
-Yes, I'm a "heavy drinker."
-Yes, I have an "addictive personality."

However, I must admit my alcoholism & admit that once I start drinking I am powerless & cannot stop.

Also, one of the important ideas to come out of the forward is the notion of helping another alcoholic. We just talked about the last Sat. night. Calls. Rides to meetings. Visits. etc. It's all part of my recovery.

Thanks everyone.

Mary

[rebirth]

Book Discussion - Big Book of AA

ooh. I must join in. Will read up as soon as I get the chance.

[gyco]

Book Discussion - Big Book of AA

i have to say,i havent attended an AA meeting for quite a while,but my AA book is rt at my side when im at the computor,or even the knowledge i have of it,but i wil add,i like the AA form here,i hope many of you arent appalled by me,i would understand if you were,ive gotten to no many of you,what we have is an addiction,i dnt think it really matters,what one uses,if it is working for you,THATS GREAT,it is nice to no im welcom here,hav a great day,gyco

[papmom3]

Book Discussion - Big Book of AA

Hi Gyco-I've been reading your posts since I got here. Why would we be appalled by you? Lizards are adorable!!

[Horsegirl]

Book Discussion - Big Book of AA

Hello All!!!

I love the idea for this thread. The group I attend has a book study one night a week, but I have a schedule conflict and can never make it to those meetings.

To show others precisely how we recovered is the main purpose of this book helps me to remember that this book was written by people who had actually been where we were and found a way out. It wasn't just written by "professionals" who thought they knew what would work for the poor alcoholic.

I also like the invitation for feedback at the end regarding 12th step work.

Thanks again for this thread. Like Gyco said whatever we find that works for us is good. For me, so far this site and AA have made a huge difference for me. I am very grateful.

Have a super day

HG

[Cherbear]

Book Discussion - Big Book of AA

Just read the forward. and what stuck out for me was "For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary", I know that when I started reading the BB for the first time, it was very convincing the more I read. It was comforting to know how many other people are in the same circling rowboat.