Chapter 8 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous, 2nd edition. By writing first, then doing the 5 th step we can look at resentment, fear and harm individually, the way it says in the big book. As noted in the big book, the wording of the step 3 prayer is optional. These 12 steps are outlined in chapter 5, how it works, of the big book. This step requires you to make a list of people you have harmed and be willing to apologize and right your wrongs. The narcotics anonymous step working guides unfamiliar, we should feel free to make use of a dictionary. Breaking down step eight of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. This twelve step workbook guide substitutes terms and phrases related to alcoholism to include. Twelve step prayers spiritual alcoholics anonymous cleveland. The step eight list is something like an inventory of what went wrong between us and the rest of the human race. You will go through the process of forgiving other people and being forgiven.
Alcoholics anonymous is often referred to as a 12 step program, and aa is the basis for many other 12 step programs that have been established. The sixth edition is a truly international basic text that reflects the diversity and strength of our worldwide na fellowship. If we havent the will to do this, we ask until it comes. This form is not taken in its entirety from the big book, but. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. The essence of alcoholics anonymous step 8 is to come to terms with the actions your alcoholism encouraged. The word harmed refers to any damage done to a person. Welcome to big book revealed a site dedicated to the process of recovery as outlined in the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Aa speaker turn our will and our lives over to the care of god new 20 duration. In order for this to happen we must go directly into steps 10, 11 and 12 while doing step 9. When addiction had its grip on me, some of my relationships with loved ones became strained, and i hurt some of those closest to me. For step 8 of alcoholics anonymous, you write down all the people who have been affected by your drinking.
I believe everyone should learn and study this book and others like it to just help them make better decisions in managing their lives. The little red book makes frequent reference to basic matter in alcoholics anonymous, third edition. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol drugs, actingout behaviour, that our lives had become unmanageable. For example,where is step one, step two, three found in the big book of aa. What specific page andor paragraph is he step found.
Meetings archive alcoholics anonymous in rhode island. In step eight were setting out to clean up all the bruised relationships and the pockets of guilt, pain, fear, resentment, and sadness that are stored inside, stuck to our shameful past deeds. We need to address omissions as well as the obvious. Almost always we want to go further and admit other defects that have made us hard to live with. These guides are meant to be used by na members at any stage of recovery, whether its our first. Now we need more action, without which we find that faith without works is dead. Many of us have heard of the ninth step promises from page 8384 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous.
Book jason for speaking engagements, events or appearances and let him bring. Step eight of aa alcoholics anonymous is the beginning of the process of making amends, forgiving others and possibly being forgiven by them, in addition to forgiving. Over the years many lists of virtues that correspond to each of the twelve steps and their underlying spiritual nature have been printed in local area aa newsletters and on pocket cards. The 12 steps of aa are the principles of the program that we practice, as listed in the big book, pages 59 and 60.
Step 8 is regarded as one of the most challenging steps by many members. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves reading. The steps helped each of the cofounders of aa in their own recovery from alcoholism and have continued to help countless. Big book sponsorship guide 3 you are going to become a sponsor.
The moment we ponder a twisted or broken relationship with an. Big book step study aa meetings turned out to be the antidote and balance to that weak aa message and group that dominated aa at the time. Step eight of aa alcoholics anonymous helps recovering alcoholics to live in the. A study of step 8 of the 12 steps program verywell mind. Through step 8, you will also have opportunities to forgive yourself. We covered a lot of it in step four, and if we dont still have the inventory on paper, we have the unfinished business still in our minds. On what pages are the steps laid out in the big book of aa. We are all sad to have lost him, however the world was made a better place, for having had him.
The only requirements are to show up, to study the big book and to practice the steps. Aa the original way 12 step guide aa the original way group. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make. Paul sponsored a big book study and separate step four workshop which are available as a recorded visual webcast. To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.
It is more specific, however, because now i have completed my personal inventory and so i have a better idea of the roots of my addictive behaviors. Step 8 is the beginning of making amends for the things you did when you were under the influence of alcohol. Taking this book down from our shelf we turn to the page which contains the twelve steps. It is a task which we may per form with increasing skill, but never really finish. The following is a list ofapproximately 150 promises that i compiled from the first edition of the big book. There are, however, additional promises in the big book. This stepbook approaches step 8 by making a list of everyone you have ever had any relationship with of any kind for any length of time. It is the basic text of the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous, and has helped large numbers of alcoholic men and women, young and old, recover. Dec 07, 2016 made a list of all persons harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. And as with step four, one of the purposes of it is to help us change our ways.
Step two is the step in which we formerly acknowledge the higher power. The big book is a quick history of how people can help people help them selfs with fellowship and understanding support to overcome many addictions. It provides certain details not available in other podcasts. The 12 steps are referred to in the big book, on page 58, where it is written, rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed out path. Steps by the big book step 9 steps by the big book. Stepbystep guide for sponsors a companion to aas big book. The big book alcoholics anonymous outlines how it works. Fill out the form directly from the saved copies of your fourth step inventory worksheets. For more information please read dear recovery community. This is getting into the meat of amends the 9th step promises are just around the corner please dont give up. The aa 8th step is the breaking point where you stop focusing solely on your recovery and is the beginning of making amends for what youve done to others. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Our origins are the students of the big book group, which has met in woodland hills, california since december of 1985. Video webcast of a big book study and step four workshop may 1820, 2018.
Experience the big book aa meetings available online. Step 8 is a wonderful step for beginning to rebuild some bridges that were burned in active addiction. Through being will to fix the wrongs one caused through asking forgiveness from the offended, the addict makes another step towards straightening out his or character and returning and revealing their true selves. Big book study guides for aa kindle edition by wilson, bill, reflections revisions, daily, step productions, twelve. This question have often baffled me in my quest to better understand the steps. For this undealtwith material blocks us from loving other. In alcoholics anonymous, step 8 is we made a list of all persons we had. If we can let go of our previous hurts to others, we can begin a new facet of sobriety. These guides are meant to be used by na members at.
This form is not taken in its entirety from the big book. This step is so challenging because it requires you to take an honest look at just how much your alcoholism has impacted the people around you. We thank god from the bottom of our heart that we know him better. The fi rst, and one of the most diffi cult, has to do with forgiveness. Step 8 was an opportunity to make a plan to clean up the wreckage and rebuild all that could be saved. This step is described on roman numeral pages 25 32 xxv xxxii, on pages 1 44. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to. Dec 27, 2019 step 8 is regarded as one of the most challenging steps by many members. However, as noted in the big book, this decision has little effect unless you, at once, start on your written step 4 inventory. We hope the little red book opens new avenues of thought and helps the aa member arrive at his or her successful interpretation of the program.
The big book explains that we must make a list that includes all our resentments we have and have ever had, an account of sexual conduct and our fears. Step 8 is a further proactive step, which inculcates the ability to change ones self on an actual level. Aa speakers joe and charlie steps 5, 6, 7, and 8 the big book. A list, and look, at the big book step study bbss meetings. Made a list of persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Breaking down step eight of aa alcoholics anonymous. With step eight you have the opportunity to translate your experience of courage into developing a compassionate spirit.
This may be physical, emotional, mental or spiritual abuse. Developer response, the 12 steps companion has included pages numbers that correspond to the main body of the printed big book since its original launch on the app store almost 10 years ago. Both of you have been a part of challenging me to learn more about the big book, the steps, the principles, and how it all. Everyone has hurts, problems, and a few things to do better with. I expressed my entire willingness to approach these individuals, admitting my wrong. Steps by the big book free sbbb workbook for the 12. In a friendly, focused group of sponsors, sponsees, and others in recovery, we study and practice the 12 steps as they were originally described in the text, alcoholics anonymous.
Alcoholics anonymous is a fellowship of recovering alcoholics who have chosen to help one another stay sober. We have laid out the 4 th step inventory here so that it follows the big book. On the next page is a modified 3rd step prayer which i recommend. Step 8 is mostly about identifying the damage you have done to others and. We have to cooperate, to do certain things that will allow a higher power to help us follow spiritual principles. This step gave me the chance to reflect on my past and take full responsibility for my part in the burned bridges. Big book step index step 1 we admitted we were powerless over alcohol that our lives had become unmanageable. In this video i discuss my experience around this step. Step 8 is the beginning of making amends, of healing the past with others.
Alcoholics anonymous aa 12step program as described in the the big book, aas guide for people recovering from alcoholism, has many references to god and religious themes, and step 11 is no different. Big book study guides for aa kindle edition by wilson. The 12 steps is the solution for alcoholic addiction referred to in chapter 2, of the book, alcoholics anonymous, titled there is a solution. Step 2 came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. We have a list of all persons we have harmed and to whom we are willing to make amends. Step 8 forms the base for all future relationships. The big book bunch 12 step workbook we are the big book bunch group of alcoholics anonymous. Step eight is a social housecleaning, just as step four was our personal housecleaning. Some of the promises are directly associated with completion of a step. In a nutshell, step 11 says to discover the plan god, as you understand him, has for your life and find the power to carry it out. On april 14, 2016, dan sherman, the author of big book awakening lost his battle with cancer.
Dec 07, 2018 step 8 is a wonderful step for beginning to rebuild some bridges that were burned in active addiction. This guide has been prepared not as a replacement for or interference to our basic texts the big book and 12 and 12 but as a companion for the ideas and directions presented there. Step eight has you make a list of those we had harmed. Known as the big book, it is in its fourth edition and is widely circulated through out the world. Sep 30, 2008 the big book is a quick history of how people can help people help them selfs with fellowship and understanding support to overcome many addictions.
Thoughts for recovery no 77 recovery from alcoholism part 4. The experience outlined in the big book makes it clear that it is not enough to believe that there is a higher power that can help us. Step 8 we are going to change it up a little and post a big book study workshop that took place in 2011, each speaker is presenting for about an hour on one step. Jun 17, 2016 the big book is clearwe do this to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to god and our fellow man. Steps by the big book step 8 steps by the big book. Where are the steps outlinedlaid out in the big book. When we felt the healing power of the saviors mercy as we worked on step 7, we felt eager to reach out to others and to mend broken relationships. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading big book study guides for aa.
Our goal is to study the steps as a friendly, focused group, and work them as the authors of the big book described. Step eight made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became. It wouldnt me necessary to keep them is the same order as the book as long as we could search text by page numbers. Through being will to fix the wrongs one caused through asking forgiveness from the offended, the addict makes another step towards straightening out his or. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text. This form is not taken in its entirety from the big book, but is a useful guide. Made a list of all persons harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Remember it was agreed at the beginning we would go to any lengths for victory over alcohol. This steps by the big book workbook is for those who are willing to grow along spiritual lines 60. These last three steps keep us current and help us to continue to solidify the foundation of our recovery. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions alcoholics anonymous. Read speaker meeting 2017 and officer banfield to hear. One difference is that the big book prayer includes.
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