The Rebellious Youth and the Lowerarchy of AA – Jay S.

About This Speaker Tape

Pasadena, a rainy day in Southern California. Jay S. sits in a dim ICU room, judging the dental work of a man in an alcoholic coma. He didn't want to be there; he felt he was having a "broken shoelace day" and admitted he didn't give a shit about the guy. But he held the man's hand, and the man woke up to ask why Jay loved him so much. Jay’s answer: "Because you're just like me."

Jay views AA not as a hierarchy, but as a "lowerarchy" where the newcomer is the teacher. He describes the work of sponsorship as "raising the dead," turning the wreckage of a life into a conduit for a Higher Power. From midnight rides to Wilmington to sitting with a dying child, Jay argues that spiritual consciousness only expands when we are uncomfortable. To him, the program isn't about meetings, but about answering the phone and refusing to let prejudice keep a life small. He believes the heart must be broken open to make room for others.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Opening discussion on Step 12 and the metaphor of duck gumbo.
• 4:15 Discussion on the 'lowerarchy' and the evolution of the fellowship since 1979.
• 7:30 The story of 'Liver M.' and the physical wreckage of end-stage alcoholism.
• 11:20 Laughter: Matthew M. describes his 'broken shoelace days' and his reluctance to visit the hospital.
• 15:45 The moment of connection in the ICU: 'Because you're just like me.'
• 19:10 Midnight rides to Wilmington and the joy of 12-step calls.
• 24:30 The story of Al and the intimacy of sitting with a dying mother.
• 31:10 Reflections on the death of a child and the role of 'dark, horrible dying kid jokes' to break tension.
• 36:40 Advice on sponsorship: answering the phone and avoiding the 'drama' of sponsees.
• 42:15 The story of the man in his underpants pouring out a half-gallon of Kessler.
• 48:20 Reading of Sam S.'s poem 'I Stand By The Door'.
• 53:10 Closing performance of 'Hallelujah' and final thanks.