Hi Everyone, this week we finished Step 2 and began Step 3. We read up to pg 55 "When you're on the road...." so we'll begin there next week. We had a great discussion about the line "just because a teaching "feels right" doesn't mean it is right" p47 and how "You should also check with the wise"... someone who is "living a skillful life"p47
We also discussed how in Step 3, "When we "make a decision" we are committing ourselves to our spiritual life, committing to placing that at the center of our lives, as the guiding principle." p51
So this week's contemplative question is what have you committed to placing at the center of your life and how has that affected your behavior in the world? Do you still freak out if there's meat in your burrito? p54
For me, I have committed to placing my recovery and my spiritual journey at the center of my life but unfortunately, that doesn't always translate to my behavior. I set an intention every day that I write as an affirmation and share it with many people but I still struggle to live it on certain days. I use the tools of pausing and trying to remember the higher purpose of my life and live from that place, not my ego self, but I'm definitely a work in progress. I do try to show up without the drama as much as I can and use awareness to not sweat the small stuff, but not always successfully. However, the program of AA does help me to quickly admit when I've acted unskillfully and to make amends right away. So definitely progress.
What about you?
The power of the pause is the most important thing in my life right now. As I continue in recovery, it is getting easier and easier to pause in a heated or loaded moment, although that doesn't always mean I react appropriately.
I loved the part about "checking with the wise" and my thoughts go right to things that my sponsor might tell me or that I might hear at a meeting and not agree with. My "old way" of reacting was to just dismiss such things immediately and say "not for me". Now, I file them away and really think about them. I try to maintain "the beginner's mind" and not dismiss anything out of hand. One of my biggest go-tos is that "my best thinking got me here". I don't consider this self-flagellation, just more of a reminder that not only do I not know all, but if I think that I do, I may be missing out on a better way to deal with life on life's terms.
I am sorry that I missed last week and unfortunately will miss tonight as well but hope to see everyone next week, thanks for the updates on where we are in the reading.