This week, the group continued exploring Chapter One, focusing on pages 24 through 34. Together, we examined the spiritual “rituals” often associated with Steps Six and Seven—practices such as prayer, meditation, and cleansing. This section of the book reminded us how deeply interconnected the Twelve Steps are. As we work on one, we often find elements of others naturally woven in, creating a holistic and synergistic path of growth.
Prayer invites us to seek guidance and clarity, while meditation helps us quiet ourselves enough to listen for the answers. These practices, when done sincerely, teach us not just to receive answers—but to accept them. From this foundation, reflection becomes a powerful tool: it allows us to discern how to transform spiritual insight into practical action.
These practices led us into the concept of cleansing. As we prepare ourselves to be “entirely ready” to let go of our defects of character, it makes sense to begin from a clean and honest place. The Big Book reminds us to examine all our patterns—whether involving alcohol, drugs, food, sex, gambling, or other compulsions—so that we may begin to recognize the grip they have on us. This process of cleansing starts from within, through honest self-reflection, and often radiates outward, impacting how we care for our bodies, our homes, and our relationships.
Through consistent prayer and meditation, we begin to find a balance that aligns with our spiritual path and our desire to give back. As we step into cleansing, we begin letting go of the clutter—physical, emotional, and spiritual—that no longer serves us. In doing so, we open ourselves to the possibility of renewal and the hope of a sober, more intentional life, one day at a time.
What are you currently holding onto that no longer serves your recovery—and what might it look like to begin letting it go?