Spiritual Awakening
One of the most grandiose statements in the 12 steps is “having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps!”
A spiritual awakening virtually guaranteed by working the steps? Really?
Were I brand new and looking in I would think, “uh oh, here we go, another religion!”
But AA is not a religion. It may have some dogma, but it most certainly is not a religion.
What it is, is the devotion to a spiritual way of life that involves conscious reflection and effort.
So what exactly is this spiritual awakening?
It is many things, different over time – a bit hard to define. Perhaps famous AA Chuck C. says it best, “it’s like having a new pair of glasses!”
True! With a spiritual awakening the world starts looking different. Same world, whole new perception.
The Buddhists describe obtaining nirvana as “awakening from a deep sleep.”
Indeed, and how true for the AA!
AA’s who practice the program go from taker to giver, self-centered to altruistic, and victim to responsible adult.
Want to know if an AA has had a spiritual awakening? Follow them around for a couple days – it will be obvious.
