Wandering Here and There
Welcome to this session of “Wandering here and there” (what). This is not a meeting of the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. There is no group conscience, no 7th tradition, no requirement for membership… everybody's welcome. Our primary purpose is taking an in-depth look at a variety of spiritual literature in order to improve our relationship with god and to respond to the 10th step question: “God, how can i best serve thee? thy will (not mine) be done.”
We will begin this gathering with a moment of silence to reflect on why we are here… (Gong)
PDF’s supporting these sessions available here:
Some Readings Adapted from Various Sources
#1 - Your life has been given you mainly for the purpose of training your soul. This life we live is not so much for the body as for the soul. We often choose what best suits the body. God wants us to choose what best serves the soul’s spiritual growth. Accept this belief and a wonderful molding of character takes place. Reject it and god’s purpose for your life is frustrated and your spiritual progress is delayed. Your soul is being trained by the good you choose. Thus, the purpose of your life is being fulfilled. (24 hours a day - june 8th)
#2 - The primary purpose of your life is to trust, love, & serve your creator, and thereby “save” your soul. So it doesn’t matter if you have a long life or a short one, a rich life or a poor one, a healthy life or a sick one, an honored life or a dishonored one. What matters is that you ask god to mold your ideals & help you live up to them. (ignatius’ principle and foundation #23)
#3 - If what we have learned and seen and felt means anything at all, it means that all of us, whatever our race, creed, or color, are the children of a living, loving creator with whom we may form a relationship upon simple and understandable terms as soon as we are honest, open & willing enough to try. (big book page 28)
#4 - If you are as seriously alcoholic as we were, we believe you have but two alternatives - one is to go on to the bitter-end, blotting out of your consciousness how miserable you really are… (this is desolation - out of sync with god’s purpose for your life resulting in feelings of doubt & fear & despair) - and the other is to ask your creator each morning in meditation to show you the way of patience, tolerance, kindness & love. (this is consolation - in sync with god’s purpose for your life, resulting in feelings of faith & hope & love). ( big book p25 and ignatius)
#5 - Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's will for us into all of our activities. “How can i best serve thee?... Thy will (not mine) be done.” These are thoughts which must go with us constantly. This is the proper use of the human will!” (big book page 85)
#6 - Just to the extent that i humbly rely on God, and just to the extent that i live the life i think god wants me to live, I will be enabled to experience spiritual serenity right in the midst of the human calamity.” “Head in the clouds & feet firmly planted on the ground!” (bb pages 68 & 130)