Spiritual Awakenings and Experiences – 296

What was your spiritual awakening? What spiritual experiences have you had?

Step 12 starts with “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps…”. The AA “Big Book” speaks of “a spiritual experience” as a key to recovery. What's going on here? Do we have to have some sudden “white light” experience to truly be in recovery?

Both traditions answer, firmly, “No.” The Big Book says, simply, “Most of us think this awareness of a Power greater than ourselves is the essence of spiritual experience.” Al-Anon's book How Al-Anon Works affirms that “more commonly … we experience a gradual awakening of the spirit”.

I found meaning in the story of the Buddha, who, shortly after his enlightenment, was questioned by a person he encountered on the road if he was a god, a wizard, a man? To which he responded, “no”. When the man asked “Well, what are  you then?”, the Buddha said “I am awake.”

In this episode, 4 people describe a spiritual awakening or experience from their lives.

Readings and Links

We read from

How Al-Anon Works, Chapter 8, Step Twelve.

Alcoholics Anonymous, Appendix II

A listener wrote about the Al-Anon book Having had a Spiritual Awakening, and how it led him to a gentle awakening.

Want to contribute?

Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email feedback@therecoveryshow.com with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment right here.

Music from the show

Carrie Newcomer: If Not Now

Climbing PoeTree: Being Human (read it here.)

Dervish dancing (Sama)

 

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