How does surrender address the fundamental reality of ‘lack of power, that was our dilemma’ (BB p.45) ? What is the dynamic between the surrender of offering myself or abandoning myself and finding who I really am … my true self … distinguishing the true from the false ? Is it possible that to “thineContinue reading “Practicing Surrender – Extract From Progloue/Epilogue Of Surrender To Love By David Benner”
Category Archives: Avoidance
What You Practice Gets Stronger – Radical Compassion Extract From Chapter 2 By Tara Brach
I like to tell students the story of a man who went to a mindfulness retreat because his therapist said he’d feel better if he learned to meditate. The retreat turned out to be a real roller coaster. Yes, there were moments of calm, but he also plunged deeply into fear, anger, and grief. TheContinue reading “What You Practice Gets Stronger – Radical Compassion Extract From Chapter 2 By Tara Brach”
Acceptance vs. Denial By Michael P
“Acceptance is the answer to all of my problems today.” That’s what it says on page 417 of the AA Big Book, but when I was first getting sober, I found that suggestion de very difficult to accept. Fortunately, my sponsor explained that “acceptance” was not the same as “approval” – we aren’t saying weContinue reading “Acceptance vs. Denial By Michael P”
Look Before You Leap – As Bill Sees It #253
Wise men and women rightly give a top rating to the virtue of prudence. They know that without this all important attribute little wisdom is to be had. Mere ‘looking before we leap’ is not enough. If our looking is charged with fear, suspicion, or anger, we had better not have looked or acted atContinue reading “Look Before You Leap – As Bill Sees It #253”
Accepting Life As It Is – Interview With Pema Chödrön By Ezra Klein
My alcoholism and its personal and collateral damage evoke a lot of emotions. And yet, as I work the program and move from the bedevilments of my addiction(s) (BB p.52) to the ‘new freedom’ (BBp.84) of recovery, I have an experience of acceptance as well as conscious contact and spiritual fitness from a God ofContinue reading “Accepting Life As It Is – Interview With Pema Chödrön By Ezra Klein”
Feel, Deal, Heal – Grapevine Article By Briggs C.
A three-word phrase that he didn’t understand—until he spent some quality time in the program There are very few original thoughts in the rooms of AA, but this may be one. It was a cold November morning years ago now that I walked through the door of Dawn Patrol in Albuquerque. I wanted to beContinue reading “Feel, Deal, Heal – Grapevine Article By Briggs C.”
Honest Self-Appraisal In The Steps – Spiritual Principle A Day May 11th
To say that honesty wasn’t a top priority may be an understatement. We gain a new awareness of honesty’s value once we clean up. With a clear head and a restored conscience, we find that dishonesty comes at a price. Regret is no joke, so we try to avoid it. Practicing honesty with ourselves canContinue reading “Honest Self-Appraisal In The Steps – Spiritual Principle A Day May 11th”
Move Toward Not Away From What Disturbs Us – By Jenna Riemersma
I love the phrase ‘let the best in me lead the rest in me’ that Dr. Allen Berger came up with. This article can help us realize that within us there is an ‘unsuspected inner resource’ (BB p.567) where we experience a ‘place of neutrality’(BB p.85) and discover this ‘best in me’. It further helpsContinue reading “Move Toward Not Away From What Disturbs Us – By Jenna Riemersma”
Becoming Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable – Each Day A New Beginning May 3rd Reflection
Love is a great beautifier. —Louisa May Alcott Meeting life head-on, with a smile, attracts people and situations to us. Our attitudes shape our world—which is not to deny that problems do occur. However, problems can be viewed as special opportunities for personal growth—as gifts, more or less, that we are ready to receive. WhenContinue reading “Becoming Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable – Each Day A New Beginning May 3rd Reflection”
Self-Acceptance: Waking Up from the Trance of Unworthiness – Interview/Video With Tara Brach November, 2025
I have added this video to the sections of gugogs.org on Toxic Shame and Healing our Jekyll/Hyde Divided Self. You may also find this article from Tara entitled ‘The Trance of Unworthiness’ relevant and useful. The interview below is about 30 minutes and full of insights and wisdom on this crucial topic that helps usContinue reading “Self-Acceptance: Waking Up from the Trance of Unworthiness – Interview/Video With Tara Brach November, 2025”