Steps 6 and 12 – Jack B. – 2020

About This Speaker Tape

The speaker paints a picture of alcoholism as a physical disease, a 'rat race' that diverts the mind, contrasting the straight path of 'normal people' with the winding, devious route of the addict. Recovery hinges on 'attitude.' He details the process of confronting character defects (Step 4), describing how the Higher Power forces awareness—like a 'carrot on a string'—until the individual finally says, 'No, I don't want no more of that.' The talk moves through making amends (Step 9), the necessity of 'actual work' over mere apologies, and concludes with the realization that the steps are geared for the alcoholic's own benefit. The ultimate goal is a 'spiritual awakening,' which means becoming wanted, needed, and loved by one's actions.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Opening remarks on the internal 'stink' of alcoholism.
• 0:45 Discussion of the alcoholic's path being 'devious' compared to the 'straight, even road' of normal life.
• 2:10 Discussion of Step 6: How the Higher Power removes defects by bringing them to attention, using the 'carrot on a string' metaphor.
• 5:40 Discussion of Step 8: Making the list of people harmed, emphasizing that the act of listing is key, not the ability to pay amends.
• 9:15 The speaker tells a detailed story about his brother, Jim, and the cartoons he created in sobriety.
• 14:30 Discussion of Step 10: Promptly admitting wrongs for one's own benefit.
• 17:50 The speaker recounts his near-death experience in the ICU, emphasizing his focus on attending meetings.
• 21:00 Discussion of Step 12: The 'spiritual awakening' is defined as being wanted, needed, and loved by one's actions.