The Traditions Are More Important Than the Steps – Bob D.

About This Speaker Tape

Big Book Seminar - 2004

Bob D. maps out the spiritual architecture of the Twelve Traditions arguing that while the Steps save the individual the Traditions save the fellowship. He traces the history of the movement from the Mayflower Hotel to the cautionary tale of the Washingtonians who vanished because they lacked a unifying set of principles. Bob D. cuts through the illusion of 'professional' recovery recounting his own descent into a dangerous depression despite owning a successful corporation and having $300,000 in vehicles. He dismantles the 'I know guy' persona admitting that his own judgment machine is the only thing that can edge him out of the rooms. Through a gritty look at the difference between the long and short forms of the Traditions he makes the case that the primary purpose is not an altruistic gesture but a survival mechanism to keep the alcoholic from the bondage of self.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Bob D. introduces his talk on the spiritual journey through the Traditions.
• 5:45 History: The meeting of Bill W. and Dr. Bob S. and the founding of AA.
• 11:20 The Washingtonians: A historical example of a fellowship that failed due to lack of unity.
• 18:15 Discussion on the Long Form vs. Short Form of the Traditions.
• 25:30 Tradition One: Unity and the 'pains of anxious apartness'.
• 32:10 Tradition Three: The difference between a desire to stop drinking and suffering from alcoholism.
• 42:45 Tradition Eight: The dangers of professionalism in recovery and the 'taker's position'.
• 51:10 Tradition Ten: Dealing with outside issues and the struggle of being opinionated.
• 58:20 Tradition Eleven: Anonymity and the decision to be available in the phonebook.
• 63:15 Tradition Twelve: Placing principles before personalities to avoid judging oneself out of the rooms.