Big Book Study Review – Part 8 – Joe Hawk and Triva – 1992 — Joe H.

About This Speaker Tape

Joe H. breaks down the gritty mechanics of the early steps, focusing on the brutal honesty required for a thorough Fifth Step. He describes the 'arch' of recovery—the cornerstone and keystone—and warns against using the steps as a shield to avoid the actual work of amends.

He shares a harrowing account of a man who sold his house and moved into a trailer to pay back financial wreckage, and a young ex-gang member in South C. LA who spent three years tracking down 350 amends. Joe emphasizes that true freedom isn't found in mere relief, but in the exhaustive process of cleaning house, including visiting graves and tracking down people across state lines, moving from a place of egomania to a state where one can finally look the world in the eye.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Discussion on the necessity of a thorough Fifth Step and the experience of multiple fifth steps.
• 2:15 Story of a man who sold his house and moved into a trailer to settle financial amends.
• 4:30 The 'arch' metaphor: discussing the cornerstone, keystone, and the 'cement' of fellowship.
• 6:10 The shift between page 75 and 76: moving from distrusting the mind to trusting the Higher Power.
• 7:45 Warning against 'working' steps 6 and 7 to avoid doing steps 8 and 9.
• 9:15 The process of making amends: using cards and the fourth column of the inventory.
• 11:00 Story of G.W., the ex-gang member in South Central LA making 350 amends.
• 13:20 Personal account of visiting a grave in Las Vegas on the 15th anniversary of a funeral.
• 15:10 Laughter: Discussion on the 'real' Treva and the ego being smashed.
• 17:30 The paradoxes of Steps 1, 2, and 3.