If, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit entirely, or if when drinking (using or acting out in a obsessive-compulsive manner), you have little control over the amount you take, you are probably alcoholic (addict). If that be the case, you may be suffering from an illness which only a spiritual experience will conquer. (p. 44, A.A. 4th Edition)
If you are a ‘real’ alcoholic or addict and if only a ‘spiritual experience’ will conquer your affliction, then is not important to know what a spiritual experience is, how to achieve it, and and most importantly, how to recognize it when you have it.
What is a spiritual experience?
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, (pg. 567-568, 4th Edition) defines spiritual experience as:
- “…the personality change sufficient to bring about recovery from alcoholism (addiction) has manifested itself among us in many different forms.”
- “…a profound alteration in his reaction to life; that such a change could hardly have been brought about by himself alone.
- “…our members find that they have tapped an unsuspected inner resource which they presently identify with their own conception of a Power greater than themselves. Most of us think this awareness of a Power greater than ourselves is the essence of spiritual experience.”
How do we achieve a spiritual experience?
By taking the 12 steps as directed in the first 103 pages of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Well, that’s exactly what this book is about. Its main object is to enable you to find a Power greater than yourself which will solve your problem. That means we have written a book which we believe to be spiritual as well as moral. And it means, of course, that we are going to talk about God. (p. 45, A.A. 4th Edition)
Much to our relief, we discovered we did not need to consider another’s conception of God. Our own conception, however inadequate, was sufficient to make the approach and to effect a contact with Him. 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. We found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him. To us, the Realm of Spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek. It is open, we believe, to all men.(p. 46, A.A. 4th Edition)
What does a spiritual experience look like?
Epistemology or theory of knowledge is the branch of philosophy that studies the nature, methods, limitations, and validity of knowledge and belief. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
“As we understood him” — which means when I speak about God, I am really referring to my own experience, which is all I know — it has been revealed to me individually. It is like explaining sex to a virgin. If you have not had sex, you might understand it intellectually, you may have even watched a movie about it, but the personal experience in unknown–it is alien. But once you have had sex, you now have recognizable benchmarks to identify the experience. The same holds true for identifying what a relationship with God or the Higher Power is like.
The Big Book authors, men and women who have recovered from a seamingly hopeless state of mind and body, all who have claimed having a spiritual experience or awakening, describe it as:
Established on such a footing (Step 3) we became less and less interested in ourselves, our own little plans and designs. More and more we became interested in seeing what we could contribute to life. As we felt new power flow in, as we enjoyed peace of mind, as we discovered we could face life successfully, as we became conscious of His presence, we began to lose our fear of today, tomorrow or the hereafter. We were reborn. (p. 63, A.A. 4th Edition)
Once we have taken this step (5), withholding nothing, we are delighted. We can look the world in the eye. We can be alone at perfect peace and ease. Our fears fall from us. We begin to feel the nearness of our Creator. We may have had certain spiritual beliefs, but now we begin to have a spiritual experience. The feeling that the drink problem has disappeared will often come strongly. We feel we are on the Broad Highway, walking hand in hand with the Spirit of the Universe. (p. 75, A.A. 4th Edition)
If we are painstaking about this phase of our development (Step 9), we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. (p. 83-84, A.A. 4th Edition)
Love and tolerance of others is our code. And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone, even alcohol. For by this time sanity will have returned. We will seldom be interested in liquor. If tempted, we recoil from it as from a hot flame. We react sanely and normally, and we will find that this has happened automatically. We will see that our new attitude toward liquor has been given us without any thought or effort on our part. It just comes! That is the miracle of it. We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality safe and protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. We are neither cocky nor are we afraid. That is how we react so long as we keep in fit spiritual condition. (p. 84-85, A.A. 4th Edition)
According to the Big Book authors, these are the recognizable benchmarks that tell us we are having a spiritual experience or awakening.
Tell us about your experience with the a ‘Spirit of the Universe underlying the totality of things’. How do you know you are having a spiritual experience or awakening? Does it look like what the Big Book authors tell us or is it something different?
So my awakening came after a falling out with my partner. She called me out on a bunch of throngs that were a direct result of my alcoholism. She didn’t define this then, nor did I. I was met with her harsh criticism and took it very personally. I was at the end of a four month spree, drinking every single night after work. All the things she said flung me into a depressive spiral that would last several days. I isolated that night. She had moved her things out of our bedroom. And in there I stayed the entire next day. Desolate and engorged in sorrow and self pity. I cried and cried and thought I was about to face her abandonment. Suicide crossed over me. I wanted to end it right then. And as I handled the pistol some kind of force gripped the base of my spine with immense pressure. Crying I called on God to please please help me. I don’t know what to do anymore, please help me with this. The pain made me realize that I had to put the gun away from my home. In the next few thoughts came the idea to attend an AA meeting. So the next day that’s what I did. It wasn’t until a week or so later I was given a big book. I started reading it in my isolation. The words resonated with me. Then some short hours later I took it to read while I was on the toilet. Though I can’t recall the exact chapter or paragraph that brought it on, I will never forget the sensation that followed. Now I’m bald so my head is shaved, but no sooner than after the words were read and retained my whole body experienced this sensation of intense static electricity. Head to toe my hair stood up on end. Freaked out I just froze and held the book in one hand and witnessed my leg hair on both legs rise. This lasted only a short time, I had no idea what was going on and I was afraid only for a few moments. The feeling that followed was safety, and love like a deep hug that made everything ok. This was that moment I feel that the obsession to drink was lifted from me. Over the next five months all I did while alone was read. The big book, the steps and traditions book. Articles and studies and scholarly writing on the internet about behavior, addiction, alcoholism, personality disorder spectrum. And intuitively each time my emotions were getting the better of me I talked to God and asked for help. And each time there was resolve. A complete and total psychic change of personality and outlook had overtaken me. I attended meetings for 30-40 days, but paranoia and self doubt made me shy away. Each time I heard someone tell their story it made me more aware. But in my absence I continued to study and implement the message of the twelve steps into my life. I haven’t drank in over two years now, and I owe it all to that single experience of the spirit. Two years in I kept that experience to myself, because I was convinced anyone who heard it would think I’m crazy or losing it. But now I know where I must take that experience, and it will help all who need to hear it, and the only thing I’ve lost wasn’t my mind, but the obsession with the drink. Peace love and understanding to all who read this.
My experience of a spiritual experience came in the form of a coincidence. I truly believe now that there is no such thing as a coincidence. Everything that happens, happens for a reason. I also believe if you have your eyes and heart open that Power / God will show itself.
Respectfully, that isn’t coincidence, I think you mean synchronicity.
.. rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.. thank you so much for the we of “the AA Program of Recovery”…
Sandra A.
Ont. CA.
Thank you for the opportunity to ‘give it away.’
Wonderful reply’s to each ones own interpretation of a ‘higher power’ and of a ‘spiritual awakening.’
The beauty and attraction that keeps me in the ‘twelve step’ recovery as described in the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous, is how in spite of myself, ‘IT WORKS.’ Then I feel compelled to ‘give it away.’ If I find a person to what appears as being ‘powerless over alcohol’, and in need of help outside themselves, ‘I am resposible,’ to carry the message. Not ‘carry the alcoholic,’ but to definitely ‘show and tell’ them how it can be done. It’s my responsibility.
This is very good information! Also, an affirmation (Oman) that l have working knowledge of an “Spiritual Experience” now, because of working this Spiritual Twelve Step Program of Recovery! Amen! ✌✝️
I just love reading this, I’m 2 months sober, and that spoke to me in a few different ways. I’m so glad I read that. Thanks so much for sharing that. God bless
Recovery is contingent on the maintenance of the spiritual condition. The 12 Steps was based off having the support of a fellowship which is crucial to helping someone work to make the spiritual changes necessary to recovery by working the Steps . You must remove the spiritual blocks to the consciousness which is the manifestation of the God or a higher power directing the mind which fathers the actions one takes. Hence the dangers of living on unmitigated self will which is to seek gratification which fuels the mental obsession of addiction.
I know that I have had a spiritual experience As I have changed the person I brought into the door of this AA program in 2012. I have come to a level of awareness that I never thought I would achieve mentally physically and spiritually. I have come to a level of awareness that I never thought I would achieve mentally physically and spiritually. I have allowed My higher power who I choose to call God into my life and every aspect of my life has been affected and I treat people the way this post to be treated today with patience and tolerance.
I understand now that everything that is happening to me has been part of the struggle that has brought me here to the light. For me to understand how to become the person I’m supposed to be I 1st had to Unearth what has happened that got me here in the 1st place.
I came into this program with the fervour of a drowning man thrown a life preserver, As it says in the big book. My spiritual malady was deep and dark and I never thought I could ever climb out of it because the hole just seemed so deep. But I kept showing up and putting in the work that was suggested. It took me 5 years to get the year I just celebrated this month surrounded by others who are doing the same for themselves, staying sober one day at a time.
I have learned to let go of petty differences and to just roll with life. I volunteer my services to the sick and suffering daily, monthly and yearly at every holiday.
I make sure that my words are supported by actions, and lip service is never an option. I’m also aware that not everyone is doing this as I have and always allow room for those struggling souls to find their own way on their own time.
Living by God’s will is so much easier than trying to impose my will upon others. I am open honest and willing As my higher powers will comes to me from numerous paths.
My job is to continue to live my life by working the rest of the steps daily and trusting that my group and my sponsor will assist in providing the good orderly direction I need and the rest will take care of itself and all will be well.
Hi my name is matt and i am a grateful recovering alcoholic. For me i had a spiritual awaking of the educational variety. When i look back to 6 years ago and my first contact with AA meetings a seed was firmly planted even though i didn’t realise, i didn’t have the tools to nurcher these emotional changes, ie the 12 steps. Its only from attending meetings, getting a sponsor, doing service and listening i have educated myself to understand how this program works. I am now able to deal with problems on a daily basis, always looking at my part, not judging others and having this power to ask for guidance. I belief god was always in me, i think i should probably be dead as i got into some potentially live threatening situations whilst drunk but here i am, sober and free. I know i have to work this program daily and surrender to god,HP its my conception my power greater than me to live a happy, useful life, and for that i am truly blessed and grateful. Matt, Luton, England.
Keep on trudging.. you will be RECOVERED, like the BB promises
Now let’s look again at page 20 and 21 of the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous. You see there’s no sense proudly displaying that book at the front of our AA or Ca meetings if were not going to follow the directions in it.
The book clearly says, Then we have a certain type of hard drinker, remember folks it does not describe him as an alcoholic, he may have the habit badly enough to gradually impair him physically and mentally, it may cause him to die a few years before his time. If a sufficiently strong reason ill health, falling in love, change of environment, or warning of a doctor becomes operative, this man can also stop or moderate, although he may find it difficult and troublesome and may need a period of medical attention.
Plain English folks, if you can stop because your doctor tells you to or you fall in love or you’ve had a period of medical attention and you were able to stop completely, something like a treatment center, you’re not an alcoholic or drug addict. It’s safe to say that all are welcome in 12-step fellowships and we’d like to be of assistance to everyone. The travesty begins when a heavy drinker calls himself an alcoholic and offers his feeble advice to a to a real alcoholic drug addict, stuff like "just put the plug in the jug" or "what don’t you understand about don’t pick up the first drink/drug".
My advice to you is the addiction research foundation in Toronto has a program of self help that You people can join. Just don’t drink and go to meetings won’t help a real alcoholic or drug addict you’re killing them with that type of advice. Our program of recovery comes from the big book of alcoholics anonymous not from the opinion’s or advice of some well-intentioned people who have no idea what they’re talking about. I’m tired of watching a 12-step fellowship turn into a Rotary club with no alcohol or drugs. Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m sorry to say this programs about finding a power greater than yourself and in nearly all instances that power must be centered in a power greater than yourself, the book doesn’t talk about God because it sounds good, it talks about God because that’s what it’s about!
Yes this is the basic fact that so many miss! People use the group as there “ higher power “ and become addicted to AA instead of finding God. Then you throw in toxic sponsors , 13 steppers and other sick people. How can anyone find any recovery ? The book outlines it all and the book says find God! Thanks you nailed it!!!
Like.
I would like to mention three of hundreds of changes in my personality which could only have been brought about by a Spiritual Experience.
1) I spend most of my time bringing joy and love into the live of others… as a result I am incredibly happy almost all the time.
2) I have faced my fears and had me fears removed by a Power greater than myself after a lifetime of constant dread and panic and anxiety attacks … today I live in a state of peace and serenity.
3) The three most important people in my life today are God (as I understand Him), my family, and my fellow man… they used to be me, myself, and I.
All the best,
(416) 941-9784
Not sure if this is still reply-able! However, I liked your description of spiritual experience. I’m 5 years sober and still struggle with intolerance, irritability, and judgement of people. I am no more comfortable in my own skin either.
Sobriety is the mental and emotional recovery of the Spiritual blockage. It was brought about in me only through a brutally honest walk up twelve steps. No half measures, they availed me nothing. I once was “dry” 3 years however.
Thank you for sharing your experience
I beginning to be able to relate
On page 64 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous it reads, "When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically".
Since working the 12 steps, I have had a personality change sufficient to bring about recovery from my addictions. It has been many years now since the obsession to drink or use has left me and has not returned. I also have ended a very nasty self-harming obsessive-compulsive behaviour of nail-biting. Furthermore, I would lose my temper on a daily basis and terrorize my family. I have not lost my temper in almost 4 years now. Occasionally I may become irritated about someone or something, but that feeling is quickly wiped using the spiritual tools of the 12 steps program. In addition, my days are filled with ‘centered’ thoughts and feelings towards others – quite a change from my days of intolerance, prejudice, and condemning judgment of others. This has been my experience of my spiritual awakening.