Therefore dependence, as A.A. practices it, is really a means of gaining true independence of the spirit.

Though not in the strict letter of anonymity, such communications were well within its spirit.

For when harboring such feelings we shut ourselves off from the sunlight of the Spirit.

We have entered the world of the Spirit.

Just be careful not to disagree in a resentful or critical spirit.

This means a new attitude and spirit all around.

Every new alcoholic looks for this spirit among us and is immensely relieved when he finds we are not witch-burners.

A few hemorrhage so badly that -- drained of all A.A. spirit and principle -- they get drunk.

We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny.

We asked ourselves this: Are not some of us just as biased and unreasonable about the realm of the spirit as were the ancients about the realm of the material?

We go to him in a helpful and forgiving spirit, confessing our former ill feeling and expressing our regret.

This much could be a fragment of what is called meditation, perhaps our very first attempt at a mood, a flier into the realm of spirit, if you like.

Can we actually carry the A.A. spirit into our daily work?

If we have carefully followed directions, we have begun to sense the flow of His Spirit into us.

To us, the Realm of Spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek.

The unselfishness of these men as we have come to know them, the entire absence of profit motive, and their community spirit, is indeed inspiring to one who has labored long and wearily in this alcoholic field.

XII. The Conference shall observe the spirit of A.A. tradition, taking care that it never becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power; that sufficient operating funds and reserve be its prudent financial principle; that it place none of its members in a position of unqualified authority over others; that it reach all important decisions by discussion, vote, and, whenever possible, by substantial unanimity; that its actions never be personally punitive nor an incitement to public controversy; that it never perform acts of government, and that, like the Society it serves, it will always remain democratic in thought and action.

Moved by the spirit of anonymity, we try to give up our natural desires for personal distinction as A.A. members both among fellow alcoholics and before the general public.

"Lord, make me a channel of thy peace -- that where there is hatred, I may bring love -- that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness -- that where there is discord, I may bring harmony -- that where there is error, I may bring truth -- that where there is doubt, I may bring faith -- that where there is despair, I may bring hope -- that where there are shadows, I may bring light -- that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.

A spirit of intolerance might repel alcoholics whose lives could have been saved, had it not been for such stupidity.

When by devoted service to family, friends, business, or community we attract widespread affection and are sometimes singled out for posts of greater responsibility and trust, we try to be humbly grateful and exert ourselves the more in a spirit of love and service.

We do talk about each other a great deal, but we almost invariably temper such talk by a spirit of love and tolerance.

Can we bring the same spirit of love and tolerance into our sometimes deranged family lives that we bring to our A.A. group?

The spirit of modern scientific inquiry, research and invention was almost unknown.

I could go for such conceptions as Creative Intelligence, Universal Mind or Spirit of Nature but I resisted the thought of a Czar of the Heavens, however loving His sway might be.

Unmindful of his welfare, I thought only of recapturing the spirit of other days.

Though Tradition Nine at first sight seems to deal with a purely practical matter, in its actual operation it discloses a society without organization, animated only by the spirit of service -- a true fellowship.

All such representatives are to be guided in the spirit of service, for true leaders in A.A. are but trusted and experienced servants of the whole.

All such representatives are to be guided in the spirit of service, for true leaders in A.A. are but trusted and experienced servants of the whole.

It is in this spirit of service that we elect the A.A. group's informal rotating committee, the intergroup association for the area, and the General Service Conferences of Alcoholics Anonymous for A.A. as a whole.

It is the difference between the spirit of vested authority and the spirit of service, two concepts which are sometimes poles apart.

For the readiness to take the full consequences of our past acts, and to take responsibility for the well-being of others at the same time, is the very spirit of Step Nine.

We feel we are on the Broad Highway, walking hand in hand with the Spirit of the Universe.

As soon as we admitted the possible existence of a Creative Intelligence, a Spirit of the Universe underlying the totality of things, we began to be possessed of a new sense of power and direction, provided we took other simple steps.

When we saw others solve their problems by a simple reliance upon the Spirit of the Universe, we had to stop doubting the power of God.

I simply had to believe in a Spirit of the Universe, who knew neither time nor limitation.

It is the difference between the spirit of vested authority and the spirit of service, two concepts which are sometimes poles apart.

To get completely away from our aversion to the idea of being humble, to gain a vision of humility as the avenue to true freedom of the human spirit, to be willing to work for humility as something to be desired for itself, takes most of us a long, long time.

Because A.A.'s Twelve Traditions repeatedly ask us to give up personal desires for the common good, we realize that the sacrificial spirit -- well symbolized by anonymity -- is the foundation of them all.