Big Book Workshop – Judy L. – New England Weekend – 2020

About This Speaker Tape

The AA Triangle, in Judy's hands, becomes a toolkit for dismantling the alcoholic ego. She traces the path from the "existence pain" of early sobriety—that raw ache of separation from a Higher Power—to the practicalities of the service manual. For Judy, the Steps work out the kinks, while the Traditions keep members from doing "homicide" to one another.

She cuts through the noise of status, rejecting car bumper stickers as barriers to sponsorship and stripping away the identity of "Dr. Mrs. Somebody" to find a spiritual foundation in humility.

Using the fictional "Squirrelly Sobers" and the plight of George the coffee person, she maps out the Concepts as a guide for doing business without the "perilous wealth and power" of authority. From the "zing" of anger to the "power of the purse" over donuts and chips, Judy argues that recovery is found in the shift from the "whiny two-year-old" mindset to a shared responsibility for the common good.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Opening: Kathleen introduces Judy L. and the session on the AA Triangle
• 5:15 Judy discusses the 12 Steps and the essential nature of Step 1
• 12:40 Discussion on the 12 Traditions and the importance of unity (Tradition 1)
• 18:20 Judy explains Tradition 12 and the spiritual principle of humility
• 22:10 Introduction to the 12 Concepts using the 'Squirrelly Sobers' coffee example
• 26:45 Explanation of Concept 4 (Right of Participation) and Concept 5 (Minority Opinion)
• 31:15 Judy discusses Concept 12 and the 'Warranties' regarding power and wealth
• 35:30 Q&A begins: Victor shares about his struggle with ego and humility
• 38:10 Kelly asks about the difference between a service sponsor and a step sponsor
• 41:20 Anita asks about the process of sponsoring through Steps, Traditions, and Concepts
• 44:15 Closing: Pam shares on ego deflation and the session concludes