Step 4 and the Bloody Chart in the Big Book – Russell S.

About This Speaker Tape

East Coast Convention - 2011

Russell S. dismantles the illusion that intellectual prowess or professional success protects a person from the wreckage of alcoholism. Despite a PhD in Algebraic Topology and a law degree he found the Fourth Step incomprehensible until a stranger told him to simply pick up a pencil. He maps out the spiritual malady as a deficiency of power and discernment arguing that the Big Book's promises—freedom from economic insecurity and the fear of people—are only accessible through a relationship with a Higher Power. He cuts through the 'recovering' versus 'recovered' debate challenging the listener to move past the 'thumb-sucking' phase of sobriety into a state of emotional sobriety where love is defined by patience and giving rather than getting. He frames the Fourth Step not as a chore but as the only way to stop tripping over the furniture of life.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Russell S. opens and acknowledges Stevie D.
• 2:15 The intellectual trap: Russell S. discusses his academic degrees and his inability to grasp the Fourth Step.
• 6:40 The 'Pick up a pencil' moment: Finding the Fourth Step chart in the Big Book.
• 11:20 Discussion on the spiritual malady and the necessity of a Higher Power.
• 16:45 The Promises: Discussing freedom from economic insecurity and fear of people.
• 22:10 The 'Guy in the Glass' poem and the concept of emotional sobriety.
• 28:30 Analysis of 'self-will run riot' and the nature of denial.
• 34:15 The 'Recovered' vs 'Recovering' debate and the danger of blocking the message.
• 38:50 Closing thoughts on the Fourth Step and avoiding the 'melodrama' of life.