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Post by Dana on Aug 26, 2015 9:02:16 GMT -5
Daryl # 18397.1(1 of 118) 8/18/14 3:05 PM Daryl Posts:8041 Hi All, Denise (Fitcircus) has asked if we all go to AA, and I think the discussion of AA deserves a thread of it's own. I think it is important to understand what AA is (and is not). Yikes <G>. I'll be happy to crack the lid on that can of worms, and I have a sneaking suspicion I won't be the only one with something to say. I hope to hear lots of experience, strength, and hope from all camps. First I'd like to explain in a basic way what AA is to me. Let me differentiate between the program and the fellowship. The program of recovery is outlined in the first 164 pages of the book "Alcoholics Anonymous", also known as the Big Book because....well....it is a big book! The program addresses the physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions of alcoholism. The desired outcome of taking the 12 Steps is a spiritual sobriety, if you will.....the goal to live happy, joyous, and free. This is accomplished through a spiritual awakening or enlightenment, as a result of deflating our egoistic self. The fellowship of AA is comprised of the membership, those who simply identify themselves as members of the group. We meet to share our struggles and coping strategies in a safe place. We become recalibrated, empowered, accountable. And we hear some pretty good "stuff" <G>. We have a group conscience, a sort of collective subconscious. Some say AA is a democracy, others call it anarchy. Our primary purpose is to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers. I'm not much for the pamphlets AA puts out, but I think this one is informative..... www.aa.org/assets/en_US/p-41_amemberseyeviewofaa.pdfNot sure if this will work as a link, just google A Member's Eye View. So there's my two cents, in a very fundamental way. Don't let anyone take away your joy. Daryl. |
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Post by blueskye on Sept 10, 2015 11:44:46 GMT -5
I like this post from Daryl. (As an aside, did you know that I met Daryl and spent time having coffee, visiting a museum etc. a few years ago - such a lovely experience!)
It's the Fellowship of AA that appeals to me most. That's what draws me to meetings. Although in the past I've attended Big Book and Step meetings and disected and discussed both at great length. I miss the meetings in SoCal. To this day I've never found meetings on a par with those. There is only one here that comes close and it's a Women Only meeting. I find the 'women only' meetings tend to be more in-depth about emotional issues. Perhaps 'men only' meetings are the same. It might be that we feel more open and safe with our own sex. But, oh how we laughed in those SoCal meetings! Laughter really is the best medicine for me, but it has to be genuine and real belly guffaws. The laughs came more often in the mixed meetings though. A motley crew of members, old timers and new. Tears one minute, belly laughs the next. I witnessed real healing taking place.
I know I've changed and perhaps that's part of the reason why I percieve meetings differently and look back with nostalgia. So with that in mind, I still attend, going through fits and starts, but I often feel worse leaving a meeting these days.
On Monday, I begin leading Y12SR meetings (The Yoga of 12 Step Recovery). I have no idea how many, if any, people will show up. I'll post more about that on Tuesday!
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Post by Dana on Sept 11, 2015 7:35:23 GMT -5
Hi blue, no I did not know you'd met Daryl, very cool!
I opened an article about the woman that started this Y12SR thing, very interesting! What a neat lady. Let us know how it goes!
A friend of mine recently started teaching the buti yoga - I've been to a couple of her classes, I really like it. It's a great workout!
Nice picture of you, by the way, pretty lady! :-)
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Post by blueskye on Sept 11, 2015 9:02:55 GMT -5
Great that you're doing yoga. There are so many different styles and classes, from restorative and gentle to flowing, quick paced, sweaty! I like to practice a variety. Also, Pilates is a perfect complement to yoga, or any other system of exercise.
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Post by JoeY on Oct 7, 2015 7:39:17 GMT -5
i met Daryl too and just missed out on blue,:-(...someday maybe. i've also met Anj for the old forum and James (zenbear) from the old forum. i've met others that want to keep mum about it. plans to meet more to meet more of you this coming year.
i'd like to add that meeting people was out of my comfort zone but again it was part of my way of adapting to life without alcohol-to push myself, sort of speak, into bold new challenges where no JoeY has ever gone before.
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