Dr. Silkworth and his colleagues believed that not only did the thought processes of the mind need to be transformed but the source of what powered those thought processes had to change. The American Heritage Dictionary defines psychology as "the science that deals with mental processes and behavior." Furthermore, it deems moral synonymous with virtuous. Therefore the thought processes of the mind had to become virtuous. In order for this to occur, the mind of the alcoholic could no longer be propelled by the human's nature or instincts, but rather by the will of God through inspiration. As the back half of the Eleventh Step bids, "praying only for the knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out."
The psychic change is the heart of the solution to our alcoholism. Through the grace of God (the source that powers the thought processes), a transformed and virtuous thought process is possible and real.
Psychic change is the heart of the solution to our alcoholism. What an immensely powerful notion! It simplifies and explains it all. Even in my drunkenness and disillusion, I sensed, even knew, that I yearned for something moral, integral, and good. And that it existed deep down within me. That was of urgent importance to me; almost comprehensible, but unattainable given the limitations of my own thinking. My thoughts, begotten from my humanity, had to be exchanged for the thoughts of The Greater Power Within me through inspiration. The Twelve Steps enabled that possibility to become reality. By incorporating The Steps into my life, I found a personal relationship with The Power Within, and then all things became possible, even being relieved of the bondage of my thoughts and actions. Recovery is essential to my mind, body, and spirit. Recovery, to me, is in the transition of my thinking as propelled by The Power Within me, and not by the powerlessness of self-insufficient me.
ReplyDeleteMichael when we place the welfare of others ahead of our oww our thought process is virtueous...Thanks...Armand
Deletevirtuous
DeleteWorld mesmerism/hypnotism or conditioned thought (usually fear & shamed based) works for me rather than defining certain thoughts as "human nature." Virtue is an aspect of God. We are made by God, and reflect God. Our Oneness, "conscious contact" and Presence of Mind are of great importance to all people, but the alcoholic's life depends on realizing them.
ReplyDeleteSpiritual Being Whatever works for you...Thanks...Armand
Deleteuncover, discover, discard (the conditioned thoughts) are part of steps 4 & 10 maybe. While ongoing living in steps 1-3 affect the psychic change you speak about?
ReplyDeleteSpiritual Being the psychic change completes in the back half of Step 11 "praying only for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry it out."...Thank you...Armand
DeleteSeems like semantics maybe , but to me it's an important distinction for freedom from the old ideas (conditioned thinking) imposed on everyone by world hypnotism/mesmerism.
ReplyDeleteSpiritual Being thank you for your thoughts...Armand
ReplyDeletePraying for God's will more often now. it brings peace inside. It helps me let go, IF I can remember to do it! Trying to "get what I want" seems to perpetuate chaos.
ReplyDeleteSpiritual Being the purpose of the 12 Steps of AA is to surrender our nature to the will of God. No longer will our thought process br propelled by our human instinct but rather by the will of God through inspiration...Thank you...Armand
Delete