The Rule 62 That Said Don’t Take Yourself So Da*n Serious – James M.

About This Speaker Tape

AA Traditions History - 1998

A degree in history provides James M. with a lens to view the early days of the fellowship as the most fascinating story of the 20th century. He traces the messy birth of the name 'Alcoholics Anonymous,' born from the mumbles of a 'wet brain' member named Joe W. and the explosive growth triggered by a cynical reporter named Jack A. James M. moves through the Traditions with a gritty focus on the practical: the danger of 'money property and authority,' the necessity of rotating leadership to deflate the alcoholic ego and the story of a black transvestite actor who became one of the first members. He argues that the fellowship survives only by remaining a 'one trick pony' focused on alcoholism warning that trying to be all things to all people is exactly why the treatment centers of Louisiana collapsed. He closes with the importance of placing principles before personalities to avoid the fate of failed spiritual movements.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 James M. opens with a thank you for the cookies and a reflection on history as 'his story'.
• 5:12 The story of Joe W. and the naming of Alcoholics Anonymous.
• 12:45 Discussion of the 12 Traditions and the resistance Bill W. faced when introducing them.
• 17:20 The story of the black transvestite actor and the precedent for Tradition 3.
• 24:15 Analysis of Tradition 5 and the 'one trick pony' nature of recovery from alcoholism.
• 31:10 Tradition 6: Dividing the material from the spiritual to avoid fights over property.
• 36:40 Tradition 7: The story of pressure washing a pavilion to be self-supporting.
• 44:15 Tradition 10 and the 'vicious skirmish' over smoking in meetings.
• 52:10 The spiritual significance of anonymity and the example of James M.
• 58:30 Closing thoughts on principles before personalities and the Lord's Prayer.