S T U D Y G U I D E T O T H E A A B I G B O O K

STUDY GUIDE TO THE

AA BIG BOOK

With emphasis upon Principles before Personalities this Study Guide presents

"A SPIRITUAL VIEW BEYOND THE LIMITS OF TRADITIONAL RELIGION" by Ken W. as - "a member of Alcoholics Anonymous"

(see Forward to First Edition) FORMAT REVISED AS OF JULY 2002

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AUTHOR'S PREFACE TO THIS STUDY GUIDE:

This is a Study Guide to the book Alcoholics Anonymous. It is dedicated to those who want recovery from alcoholism, but have difficulty with the word "God". Especially, as that word gets used by individuals who embrace traditional religious concepts of what it means to them. Be advised that other ideas and interpretations, which are consistent with the basic AA text, also have value and usefulness in the recovery process.

Should you choose to follow this Study Guide, you will be presented ideas which this author has found to be consistent with the basic text of AA. However, some of those ideas go beyond the limitations many traditional religions have in their interpretation of the word "God" and what that word means for them. Readers who are open minded (see Appendix II) may discover new thinking about "a power greater than yourself".

The three-letter word "God" is generally used to communicate a concept of infinite knowledge and power. Concepts, other than those utilized by traditional religion, do exist. One fundamental idea of God, based upon the basic text of AA, (see pg 55), is being offered in this Study Guide. Some individual alcoholics may find the approach is useful in their personal recovery.

It is self-evident that no person is qualified to speak for God, nor for AA as a whole. The vital spiritual experience, necessary for recovery from alcoholism, is intensely personal to the individual alcoholic. That is precisely the point. A readers concept of God need not follow traditional lines.

The experience of the first successfully sober members of AA tells us:

"Why don't you choose your own conception of God?" (AA pg 12)

"We found the Great Reality deep down within us. In the last analysis it is only there that He may be found. It was so with us."

(AA pg 55)

Regardless of whatever approach you choose for yourself, you can be assured that:

THERE IS A POWER FOR GOOD, AND YOU CAN UTILIZE IT IN YOUR LIFE.

* * * * *

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SECTION A02:

HOW TO USE THIS STUDY GUIDE:

COMMENTS:

"FROM REPETITION COMES RECOGNITION"

Any reader of this Study Guide material will quickly recognize that the author repeats numerous points of view with great frequency. There are similarly repeated references to the same pages of the AA basic text for recovery from alcoholism. This is intentional.

For those who are alcoholic, the entire message of AA could be condensed into a simple one-line expression:

"DON'T DRINK - NO MATTER WHAT".

Nothing further would be required as a message of sobriety. Due to individual differences in a conscious awareness of the Great Reality of life,

on life's terms, there are differences in individual alcoholics. What is understood by one may not be clear to another. That is precisely the point.

Certain mental attitudes repeatedly appear within the basic text for recovery from alcoholism. Comments are made, by the author about those ideas, emotions and attitudes as they repeatedly appear in the basic text. (see pg. 27). Many are repetitious. They appear to have significance for any alcoholic having difficulty reconciling use of the "three-letter word God" in the AA Big Book with the interpretations of that word commonly offered by traditional religions.

"We have no monopoly on God; we merely have an

approach that worked with us."

(pg. 95)

The Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous is "a company of equals". There is no second requirement for membership. AA gains it's strength from universal acceptance by those who are members, on their own say so.

"The only requirement for A.A. membership is a

desire to stop drinking."

(Tradition 3)

As a result, the issue of "human equality in the eyes of a Creator" becomes a point of departure between the AA program, and the basic precepts of many traditional religions. Where religion defines that which is and is not "God" for their followers, AA does not. Where most religious belief systems have boundaries to define what they "believe about God", the basic text for AA does not.

The only "belief about God" this author has found within the basic text of AA is a statement which finds universal acceptance for any alcoholic who seeks recovery as their primary purpose in this lifetime.

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