Next Steps – Emotional Sobriety – Part 1 – Dave F. & Mark H.

About This Speaker Tape

This session is a deep dive into the spiritual mechanics of recovery, framed by the 'Fellowship of the Spirit.' The speakers guide the audience through the 12 Steps, emphasizing that true growth requires stripping away the ego's defenses. They share historical context, from early AA preambles to modern practices like the '17-area inventory.' Key themes include radical honesty, the necessity of constant self-inventory, and the concept of 'being present in the now.' The speakers use metaphors—the tarnished mirror, the golf ball, and the donkey—to illustrate that the ultimate goal is to find the core kernel of love beneath layers of self-deception and preconceived notions.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Introduction to the 'Fellowship of the Spirit' concept.
• 0:45 Prayer: Asking for the removal of egos and preconceived notions.
• 2:20 Discussion of the ego's initial reaction to speaking publicly.
• 3:50 Mark reads the Texas preamble, detailing the program's requirements.
• 15:00 Discussion of the '17-area inventory' and the need for deep self-examination.
• 25:00 The speaker discusses the 'donkey' metaphor, comparing AA's Big Book to other spiritual texts.
• 35:00 The speaker shares a story of his spiritual awakening during the Gulf War, leading to a major inventory.
• 48:00 Discussion of the 'golf ball' metaphor, peeling back the hard, crusty exterior to find the kernel of love.