Queens Big Book Study – Part 3 – Gary B. – 2008

About This Speaker Tape

A raw, heavy-hitting session from a Big Book study in Queens. The conversation pivots from the technicalities of Step 2 to the visceral reality of Step 3. Gary describes the 'stone sober' insanity of the alcoholic and a spiritual awakening that manifested as the healing of his daughter's ulcers.

Marie shares the agony of rescinding her decision to turn her will over, describing the horror of being truly alone. Mickey delivers a harrowing account of a 'dark night of the soul' that included a financial collapse, a devastating affair of the heart, and four hours on an office floor with a knife in his pocket. He describes his current life as a monastic existence, crafting custom cowboy boots and painting Russian icons, having finally traded his 'hidden agenda' for a life of integrity.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Discussion on Step 2 and the 'quandary' of insanity beyond alcohol.
• 4:15 Gary discusses the 'stone sober' insanity of the alcoholic.
• 10:20 Laughter: Story about Marie and the 'earth-shaking' apology.
• 16:40 Gary's account of praying for his daughter's ulcers and her subsequent healing.
• 21:10 Marie discusses the horror of taking back her Third Step.
• 28:30 Mickey's account of his 'dark night of the soul' and the knife in the office.
• 35:10 Mickey describes his current life making cowboy boots and painting icons.
• 38:45 Mention of the Third Step prayer and the 14 men in the Denver group.
• 42:10 Story about a Russian man named Igor and the nature of a Higher Power.
• 45:00 Group activity: Holding hands and praying the Third Step prayer together.