From the books ... Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book) and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (12 & 12)
Click
to display the full page from the Big Book1.
... Step?
12&12 p.23,
Step One
Since Step One requires an admission
that our lives have become
unmanageable, how could people such as these take this Step?
2.
... Step.
12&12 p.33,
Step Two
3.
... Step.
12&12 p.56,
Step Five
4.
... step.
12&12 p.98,
Step Eleven
Yet it is only a step.
5.
... Step?
12&12 p.109,
Step Twelve
6.
... Step.
12&12 p.125,
Step Twelve
Understanding is the key to right principles and attitudes, and right action is the key to good living; therefore the joy of good living is the theme of A.A.'s Twelfth Step.
7.
... Step."
12&12 p.170,
Tradition Eight
8.
... step.
BB p.74,
Into Action
Rightly and naturally,
we think well before we choose the person or persons with whom
to take this intimate and
confidential step.
9.
... Step also
says that as a result ...
12&12 p.106,
Step Twelve
Our Twelfth Step also says that as a result of practicing all
the Steps, we have each found something called a spiritual awakening.
10.
... Step, and
action is its key word.
12&12 p.106,
Step Twelve
11.
... Step and
that part of the Twelfth ...
12&12 p.113,
Step Twelve
Maybe we are doing fine on only two of them, the First Step and that part of the Twelfth where we
"carry the message."
12.
... step ashore.
BB p.53,
We Agnostics
13.
... step at
first.
12&12 p.73,
Step Seven
14.
... step away
from a highly strained, abnormal ...
BB p.122,
The Family Afterward
15.
... step back
and think.
12&12 p.91,
Step Ten
16.
... Step cases,
they had a terrific aversion ...
12&12 p.160,
Tradition Seven
It was soon apparent that
while alcoholics would
spend lavishly on Twelfth Step cases, they had a terrific
aversion to dropping
money into a meeting-place hat for group purposes.
17.
... Step couldn't
be sold for money, we ...
12&12 p.167,
Tradition Eight
18.
... Step Eight,
we continued our housecleaning, for ...
12&12 p.108,
Step Twelve
In Step Eight, we continued our housecleaning, for we saw
that we were not only in conflict with ourselves, but also with people and situations in
the world in which we lived.
19.
... Step Eleven.
12&12 p.103,
Step Eleven
At these critical moments, if we remind ourselves that "it is better to comfort than to be
comforted, to understand than to be understood, to love than to
be loved," we will be following the intent of
Step Eleven.
20.
Step Eleven
suggests prayer and meditation.
BB p.85,
Into Action
21.
... Step Eleven
we saw that if a ...
12&12 p.108,
Step Twelve
In Step Eleven we saw that if a Higher Power had restored us to sanity and had enabled us to
live with some peace of mind in a sorely troubled world, then such a Higher Power was worth knowing better, by as direct contact as possible.
22.
... Step Eleven
which says: "...knowledge of His ...
12&12 p.102,
Step Eleven
And we think that the whole
range of our needs is well defined by that part of Step Eleven which says: "...knowledge of His will for us
and the power to carry that
out."
23.
... Step experiences
where we will seem to ...
12&12 p.110,
Step Twelve
We may often pass through Twelfth Step experiences where we will seem to be temporarily off the beam.
24.
... Step Five.
12&12 p.55,
Step Five
So intense, though, is
our fear and reluctance
to do this, that many A.A.'s at
first try to bypass Step Five.
25.
... Step Five.
12&12 p.56,
Step Five
26.
... Step Five?
12&12 p.57,
Step Five
27.
... Step Five.
12&12 p.58,
Step Five
More realism and therefore more honesty about ourselves
are the great gains we make under the influence of Step Five.
28.
... Step Five
that he first actually felt ...
12&12 p.62,
Step Five
Many an A.A., once agnostic or atheistic, tells us that it
was during this stage of
Step Five that he first actually felt the presence of God.
29.
... Step Five
that we inwardly knew we'd ...
12&12 p.58,
Step Five
Our moral inventory had
persuaded us that all-round forgiveness was desirable, but it was only when we resolutely tackled Step Five that we inwardly knew we'd be able to receive forgiveness and give it,
too.
30.
Step Five
was the answer.
12&12 p.57,
Step Five
31.
... Step Five,
we decided that an inventory, ...
12&12 p.108,
Step Twelve
32.
... Step for
a fee.
12&12 p.166,
Tradition Eight
This has always been so obvious that only a very few A.A.'s have ever worked the Twelfth Step for a fee.
33.
... Step Four.
12&12 p.46,
Step Four
34.
... Step Four.
12&12 p.50,
Step Four
35.
... Step Four.
BB p.64,
How It Works
This was Step Four.
36.
... Step Four
back and forth over our ...
12&12 p.55,
Step Five
If we have swept the searchlight of Step Four back and forth over our careers, and it has revealed in stark relief those experiences we'd rather
not remember, if we have come to know how wrong thinking and action have hurt us and others, then the need to quit living by ourselves with those tormenting ghosts of yesterday gets more urgent than ever.
37.
... Step Four
is but the beginning of ...
12&12 p.50,
Step Four
Since Step Four is but the beginning of a lifetime
practice, it can be suggested that he first
have a look at those personal flaws which are acutely troublesome and
fairly obvious.
38.
Step Four
is our vigorous and painstaking ...
12&12 p.42,
Step Four
Step Four is our vigorous and painstaking effort to discover what these liabilities in each of us
have been, and are.
39.
... Step Four
was, after all, only a ...
12&12 p.58,
Step Five
40.
... Step Four,
we commenced to search out ...
12&12 p.107,
Step Twelve
Beginning with Step Four, we commenced to search out the things in ourselves which
had brought us to physical, moral, and spiritual bankruptcy.
41.
... Step has
meant to others.
12&12 p.82,
Step Eight
Whenever our pencil falters, we can fortify and
cheer ourselves by remembering what A.A. experience in this Step has
meant to others.
42.
... Step houses.
12&12 p.157,
Tradition Six
43.
... step" illusion.
12&12 p.113,
Step Twelve
44.
... step in
recovery.
BB p.30,
More About Alcoholism
45.
... step in
the development of that kind ...
12&12 p.98,
Step Eleven
It is a step in the development of that kind
of humility that makes it
possible for us to receive God's help.
46.
... step in
the formation of Tradition Three.
12&12 p.142,
Tradition Three
47.
... Step in
the program of recovery mentioned ...
BB p.72,
Into Action
48.
... step into
them and walk with new ...
12&12 p.48,
Step Four
Having found the shoes that
fit, he ought to step into them and walk with new confidence that he is at
last on the right track.
49.
... step is
indicated we must not shrink.
BB p.80,
Into Action
If we have obtained permission, have consulted with others, asked God to help and the drastic step is indicated we must not shrink.
50.
... Step is
more necessary to longtime sobriety ...
12&12 p.55,
Step Five
51.
... Step is
never to be paid for, ...
12&12 p.171,
Tradition Eight
Our Twelfth Step is never to be paid for, but those who labor in service for us are worthy of
their hire.
52.
... Step is
seen in its full implication, ...
12&12 p.106,
Step Twelve
When the Twelfth Step is seen in its full implication, it is really talking about the kind of love that has no price tag
on it.
53.
... step is
to be, that we be ...
BB p.87,
Into Action
We usually conclude the
period of meditation
with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems.
54.
... Step is
where we make the change ...
12&12 p.76,
Step Seven
The Seventh Step is where
we make the change in our attitude which permits us,
with humility as our guide, to move out from ourselves toward others and toward God.
55.
... step, it
could have little permanent effect ...
BB p.64,
How It Works
Though our decision was
a vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once followed by a strenuous
effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in ourselves which had been blocking us.
56.
... Step job
at a hospital in New ...
12&12 p.136,
Tradition Two
57.
... Step job,
no matter how unpromising.
12&12 p.144,
Tradition Three
58.
... Step job
well done.
12&12 p.110,
Step Twelve
Practically every A.A. member declares that no satisfaction has been deeper and no joy greater than in a Twelfth Step job well done.
59.
... Step jobs
at all, the critics attacked ...
12&12 p.167,
Tradition Eight
Ignoring the fact that
these labors were not Twelfth Step jobs at all, the critics attacked as A.A. professionals these workers of ours who were often doing thankless tasks that no one else
could or would do.
60.
... Step looks
hard, even impossible.
12&12 p.35,
Step Three
61.
... step making
sure we were ready; that ...
BB p.63,
How It Works
We thought well before taking this step making sure we were ready; that we
could at last abandon ourselves utterly to Him.
62.
... step may
be postponed, only, however, if ...
BB p.74,
Into Action
If that is so, this step may be postponed, only, however, if we hold ourselves in complete readiness to go through with it at the first opportunity.
63.
... Step Nine.
12&12 p.83,
Step Nine
Good judgment, a careful sense of timing, courage, and prudence -- these are the qualities we shall need when we take Step Nine.
64.
... Step Nine.
12&12 p.87,
Step Nine
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.
65.
... Step Nine
by making direct amends to ...
12&12 p.108,
Step Twelve
We followed this up in Step Nine by making direct amends to those concerned, except when it
would injure them or other
people.
66.
... step of
which is a personal housecleaning, ...
BB p.63,
How It Works
Next we launched out on a course of vigorous action, the first step of which is a personal housecleaning, which many of us had never attempted.
67.
... Step on
problems other than alcohol, we ...
12&12 p.68,
Step Six
If we would gain any real advantage in the use of this Step on problems other than alcohol, we shall need to make a brand new venture into open-mindedness.
68.
... step on
the toes of our fellows ...
BB p.62,
How It Works
Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate.
69.
... Step One
requires an admission that our ...
12&12 p.23,
Step One
Since Step One requires an admission
that our lives have become
unmanageable, how could people such as these take this Step?
70.
Step One
showed us an amazing paradox: ...
12&12 p.107,
Step Twelve
Step One showed us an amazing paradox: We found that we
were totally unable to be
rid of the alcohol obsession until we first admitted that we were
powerless over it.
71.
... Step One,
where we made the 100 ...
12&12 p.68,
Step Six
Only Step One, where we made the 100 percent admission we were
powerless over alcohol, can be practiced
with absolute perfection.
72.
... step out
into the sun.
12&12 p.98,
Step Eleven
73.
Step over
to the nearest barroom and ...
BB p.31,
More About Alcoholism
74.
... Step Seven.
BB p.76,
Into Action
75.
... Step Seven:
"Humbly asked Him to remove ...
12&12 p.75,
Step Seven
It marked the time when we
could commence to see the
full implication of
Step Seven: "Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings."
76.
... Step Seven
is on humility.
12&12 p.76,
Step Seven
77.
... Step Seven,
it might be well if ...
12&12 p.76,
Step Seven
As we approach the actual taking of Step Seven, it might be well if we A.A.'s inquire once more just what our deeper objectives are.
78.
... Step Seven,
we humbly asked God to ...
12&12 p.108,
Step Twelve
Then, in Step Seven, we humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings such as He
could or would under the conditions of the day we asked.
79.
... Step; she
was just making it possible.
12&12 p.168,
Tradition Eight
80.
... Step Six?
12&12 p.68,
Step Six
81.
... Step Six.
12&12 p.108,
Step Twelve
82.
... Step Six.
BB p.76,
Into Action
83.
... Step Six
is still difficult, but not ...
12&12 p.68,
Step Six
84.
... Step Six,
many of us balked -- for ...
12&12 p.108,
Step Twelve
At Step Six, many of us balked -- for the practical reason that we
did not wish to have all our defects of character removed, because we still loved some of them too much.
85.
... Step Six
on all his faults -- without ...
12&12 p.63,
Step Six
He goes on to explain that
any person capable of enough willingness and honesty
to try repeatedly Step Six on all his faults -- without any reservations whatever -- has indeed come a long way spiritually, and is therefore entitled to be
called a man who is sincerely trying to grow in the image and likeness of his own Creator.
86.
... Step Six
-- "Were entirely ready to have ...
12&12 p.65,
Step Six
So Step Six -- "Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character" --
is A.A.'s way of stating the best possible attitude one can take in order to make a beginning on this lifetime job.
87.
... Step so
specifically concerns itself with humility, ...
12&12 p.70,
Step Seven
Since this Step so specifically concerns
itself with humility, we
should pause here to consider what humility is
and what the practice of it can mean to us.
88.
... step, submit
to anything to get well, ...
BB p.142,
To Employers
89.
... Step Ten
we commence to put our ...
12&12 p.88,
Step Ten
But when we approach Step
Ten we commence to put our A.A. way of living to practical use, day by day, in fair weather or foul.
90.
... Step Ten,
we had begun to get ...
12&12 p.108,
Step Twelve
By this time, at Step Ten, we had begun to get a basis for daily living, and we keenly realized that we
would need to continue taking personal inventory, and that when we were in the wrong we ought to admit it promptly.
91.
... Step Ten,
which suggests we continue to ...
BB p.84,
Into Action
This thought brings us to
Step Ten, which suggests we continue to
take personal inventory and continue
to set right any new mistakes as we go along.
92.
... Step that
separates the men from the ...
12&12 p.63,
Step Six
93.
... Step, the
result has been exactly the ...
12&12 p.166,
Tradition Eight
Every time we have tried to professionalize our Twelfth Step, the result has been exactly the
same: Our single purpose has been defeated.
94.
... Step Three.
12&12 p.35,
Step Three
Every man and woman who has joined A.A. and intends to stick has, without realizing it, made a beginning on Step Three.
95.
... Step Three.
12&12 p.41,
Step Three
Once we have come into agreement with these ideas,
it is really easy to begin the practice of Step Three.
96.
... Step Three.
BB p.63,
How It Works
97.
... Step Three
calls for affirmative action, for ...
12&12 p.34,
Step Three
Like all the remaining Steps, Step Three calls for affirmative action, for
it is only by action that we can cut away the self-will which has always blocked the entry of God -- or, if you like, a Higher Power -- into our lives.
98.
... Step Three
is given a determined and ...
12&12 p.40,
Step Three
Then it is explained that other Steps of the A.A. program can be practiced with success
only when Step Three is given a determined and persistent trial.
99.
... Step Three
is like the opening of ...
12&12 p.34,
Step Three
Practicing Step Three is like the opening of a door which to all
appearances is still
closed and locked.
100.
... Step Three
opens the door.
12&12 p.40,
Step Three
To make this increasingly possible
is the purpose of A.A.'s Twelve Steps, and Step Three opens the door.
101.
Step Three
represents our first attempt to ...
12&12 p.34,
Step Three
102.
... Step Three
we turned our will and ...
12&12 p.107,
Step Twelve
Consequently, in Step
Three we turned our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
103.
... Step Three,
which is that we decided ...
BB p.60,
How It Works
Being convinced, we were
at Step Three, which is that
we decided to turn our will and our life over to God as we understood Him.
104.
... step toward
liberation from its paralyzing grip.
12&12 p.73,
Step Seven
Every newcomer in Alcoholics Anonymous
is told, and soon realizes for himself, that
his humble admission of
powerlessness over alcohol is his first step toward liberation from its paralyzing grip.
105.
... Step Twelve.
12&12 p.110,
Step Twelve
106.
... Step Twelve.
BB p.88,
Into Action
107.
... Step Two
gently and very gradually began ...
12&12 p.27,
Step Two
108.
... Step Two
is the rallying point for ...
12&12 p.33,
Step Two
109.
... Step Two,
most A.A. newcomers are confronted ...
12&12 p.25,
Step Two
The moment they read Step Two, most A.A. newcomers are confronted with a dilemma, sometimes a serious one.
110.
... Step Two
right now.
12&12 p.26,
Step Two
111.
... Step Two
we saw that since we ...
12&12 p.107,
Step Twelve
In Step Two we saw that since we could not restore ourselves to sanity, some Higher Power must necessarily do so if we were to survive.
112.
... Step was
also the means by which ...
12&12 p.57,
Step Five
This vital Step was also the means by which we began to get the feeling that we could be forgiven, no matter what we had thought
or done.
113.
... step, we
may not overcome drinking.
BB p.72,
Into Action
114.
... step with
an understanding person, such as ...
BB p.63,
How It Works
We found it very desirable to take this spiritual step with an understanding person,
such as our wife, best friend, or spiritual adviser.
115.
... Step with
our sponsors or spiritual advisers ...
12&12 p.58,
Step Five
Often it was while working on this Step with our
sponsors or spiritual
advisers that we first felt truly able to forgive others, no matter how deeply we felt they had wronged us.
116.
... step, withholding
nothing, we are delighted.
BB p.75,
Into Action
117.
... Step work.
12&12 p.110,
Step Twelve
118.
... Step work.
12&12 p.110,
Step Twelve
119.
... Step work.
12&12 p.110,
Step Twelve
There are many opportunities even for
those of us who feel unable to speak at meetings or who are so situated that we cannot do much face-to-face Twelfth Step work.
120.
... Step work.
12&12 p.142,
Tradition Three
121.
... Step work.
12&12 p.151,
Tradition Five
122.
... Step work.
12&12 p.170,
Tradition Eight
123.
... Step work;
and then he lowered the ...
12&12 p.143,
Tradition Three
He paid a fine tribute to the Fellowship; he told how his
family had been reunited; he extolled the
virtue of honesty; he recalled the joys of Twelfth Step work; and then he lowered the
boom.
124.
... Step work
forms a group, another discovery ...
12&12 p.130,
Tradition One
The moment this Twelfth
Step work forms a group, another discovery is made -- that most individuals cannot recover unless there is a group.
125.
... Step work
in the very best sense ...
12&12 p.110,
Step Twelve
126.
... Step work
is my business.
12&12 p.173,
Tradition Nine
Committees have instructed many an A.A. to stop working on a chronic backslider, only to be told: "How I do my Twelfth
Step work is my business.
127.
... Step work
is never to be paid ...
12&12 p.191,
Tradition Eight (Long)
128.
... Step" work
is never to be paid ...
BB p.565(567),
Appendix I, The A.A. Tradition
129.
... Step work;
it was to make Twelfth ...
12&12 p.168,
Tradition Eight
130.
... Step work
possible.
12&12 p.168,
Tradition Eight
131.
... Step work
possible, perhaps arranging for the ...
12&12 p.110,
Step Twelve
We can be the ones who take on
the unspectacular but important tasks that make good Twelfth Step work possible, perhaps arranging for the
coffee and cake after the meetings, where so
many skeptical, suspicious newcomers
have found confidence
and comfort in the laughter and talk.
132.
... Step work
we sometimes carry the message ...
12&12 p.111,
Step Twelve
By a great deal of ardent Twelfth Step work we sometimes carry the message to so many alcoholics that they place
us in a position of trust.
Passages from the Big Book Alcoholics Anonymous
and the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
are reprinted with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.
The A.A. Preamble, copyright ©
The A.A. Grapevine, Inc., is reprinted with permission.
Permission to reprint does not in any way imply affiliation with or
endorsement by either Alcoholics Anonymous or The A.A. Grapevine, Inc.
Copyright © 2005-2012, Recovery Press LLC; All Rights Reserved.