Steps 10 & 11, Courage to Change – Earl H.

About This Speaker Tape

This session is a deep dive into the mechanics of recovery, focusing heavily on the difficult work of amends and inventory. The speaker hammers home that harm is harm, regardless of perceived severity—even an embarrassing public shove requires an apology. The core message shifts from external actions to internal control: the speaker repeatedly warns against manipulating relationships, realizing that honesty must be its own reward, not a tool to gain love or respect.

The final, powerful section details the practice of meditation and prayer, framing these as tools to quiet the mind and gain a 'sixth sense of direction,' allowing one to move forward with a steady, calm energy.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Discussion begins regarding the nature of recovery questions.
• 0:35 Discussion on amends, suggesting taking resentments to a third party before making amends to a sponsor.
• 1:30 Discussion on the Ninth Step, emphasizing that amends must be made regardless of the difficulty of reaching the person.
• 4:15 Crucial discussion on amends: 'Harm is harm.' The speaker uses examples to dismantle the idea of degrees of harm.
• 11:00 The speaker analyzes his own early approach to honesty, realizing he was still attempting to 'control and manipulate my environment.'
• 14:30 The speaker details the structure of the Steps: '10, me, 11, Higher Power, 12, you,' calling them 'action steps.'
• 21:00 The speaker recounts a story about his 'whatever' prayer, a moment of personal breakthrough.
• 35:00 The speaker guides the audience through basic meditation breathing exercises, emphasizing that the goal is not stillness, but 'being willing to come back to it.'