Topic for the week: Spiritual Experience / Contempt Prior to Investigation
Today I would like to share an excerpt with you from Appendix II of the Big Book “Spiritual Experience”, the last 3 paragraphs read:
Most emphatically we wish to say that any alcoholic capable of honestly facing his problems in the light of our experience can recover, provided he does not close his mind to all spiritual concepts. He can only be defeated by an attitude of intolerance or belligerent denial.
We find that no one need have difficulty with the spirituality of the program. *Willingness, honesty and open mindedness are the essentials of recovery. But these are indispensable.*
“There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance–that principle is contempt prior to investigation.” – Herbert Spencer
My Share:
Hi again, I’m an alcoholic named Emily.
I have a history of over-complicating even the simplest of things. While I was raised to believe in God and didn’t have any major issues with still believing in God, I got pretty preoccupied with *exactly how* was this God gonna restore me to sanity? Hmmm? And why hadn’t He already done it since I had never stopped believing? Hmmm?
And why did some of my friends not make it over to the other side with me? And why was my life still such a mess? And why did he bring this person into my life if all they were going to do was cause destruction? And why would I have to keep going to meetings for the rest of my life? And why would I have to apologize to everyone and humiliate myself publicly like these steps suggested? And why would I have to tell all my secrets to someone in the group and on and on and on.
And this contempt prior to investigation kept me out of AA for 8 long years of dry drunk stark raving sobriety. By the time I got to AA, I was a lunatic and also finally willing to admit that my way wasn’t working. It took a little getting used to, but I finally started allowing myself to be teachable by God and by you in the program.
The healing I have experienced is unlike anything else I have ever experienced in my life. Many wounds, I did not think could be healed, others I didn’t think I could allow to be healed as they were self-inflicted. The truth at the end of the day? I’m just a garden variety alcoholic, not that sick and not that special, and when I get out of my own way and develop the willingness to follow a few suggestions and remain open minded and honest, the result is a vast spiritual experience and awakening. Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly, but it always comes if I work for it.
What does this reading bring up for you and your journey with recovery and spirituality? I would love to hear from everyone their experience, strength and hope on this. I learn so much from each and every one of you.