He Thought He Was Graduating from AA University – Como T.

About This Speaker Tape

10th International AA Convention - 1995

A series of speakers at a 1995 international convention dismantle the gap between mere sobriety and active recovery. Cuauhtémoc T. maps out the 'miracle' of service arguing that the obsession for the drink is only half the battle the real shift happens when an alcoholic stops being a 'bored' passenger in a chair and becomes useful to others. Jesús T. and Beto A. dig into the wreckage of family life with Beto tracing his journey from a selfish silent father to one who finally listens to his children. Paco F. cuts through his own history of infidelity and rebellion recounting a humbling encounter at a psychiatric hospital where his son's pain mirrored his own. The session closes with Oscar G. reflecting on the grit of early recovery in a house moving from the 'false pride' of a drug-dealing lifestyle to the quiet dignity of working an honest job and repairing the bond with his mother.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Opening remarks on the tradition of anonymity and the primary purpose of AA.
• 4:15 Cuauhtémoc T. discusses the 'miracle' of service and the beauty of the Big Book's chapters.
• 11:30 Cuauhtémoc T. reflects on the metamorphosis that occurs when an alcoholic feels useful.
• 14:50 Jesús T. shares his struggle with acceptance and the 'paradoxes' of the program.
• 22:10 Jesús T. discusses the 'action' required in the 6th and 7th Steps to remove character defects.
• 28:40 Jorge T. shares his experience with a stroke and the danger of the 'first cup'.
• 33:15 Beto A. talks about the difference between sobriety and the ability to love and listen to his children.
• 42:10 Ramón T. describes his first meeting and the realization that he lived only in the past or future.
• 51:20 Paco F. recounts his childhood hatred of alcohol and his later struggle with infidelity.
• 58:15 Laughter: Paco F. describes his experience eating iguana and walking in the Islas Marías.
• 1:04:10 Oscar G. discusses the transition from drug dealing to working an honest job.
• 1:12:00 Closing prayer: The Serenity Prayer is recited to end the session.