Emotional Sobriety – Part 3 – Mark H. – FOTSNY – 2001

About This Speaker Tape

Mark and Dave lead a deep dive into Step Two, moving from the wreckage of the first step toward a solution. Mark describes a decade of 'dry' sobriety where he worshipped his own mind, leading him to a psychiatric hospital and a near-suicide attempt. He argues that the mind that brought an alcoholic to AA is not the organ that provides the solution.

The narrative shifts from intellectual belief to a 'course of action,' emphasizing the 'death of self' and the necessity of surrendering everything—finances, career, and health—to a Higher Power. Dave reinforces this with the 'second step proposition,' a concrete exercise using 3x5 cards to map fears and identify what a Higher Power wants the speaker to 'be' rather than 'do.' The session concludes with the insistence that spiritual growth requires the total abandonment of self-reliance and a willingness to be a channel for a power greater than oneself.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Mark introduces Step Two and the paradox of alcoholics talking about a Higher Power.
• 5:15 Mark discusses the 'mind as Higher Power' and the danger of intellectualizing recovery.
• 10:40 Mark shares his experience of nearly committing suicide after ten years of sobriety.
• 15:20 Discussion on the 'death of self' and the necessity of Steps 4 through 9.
• 22:10 Laughter: Dave shares a list of drinking problem jokes (Barley and Hops).
• 28:45 Dave explains the 'second step proposition' and the 3x5 card exercise.
• 35:10 Dave discusses the 'Higher Power experiment' for atheists and agnostics.
• 42:15 Mark leads a guided meditation on surrendering specific life areas (smoking, finances).
• 50:20 Dave discusses the 'ABC's' of Step Two and the transition to Step Three.