I am listening to a series called, Big Book Study," by Joe and Charlie someone. I'm only into the first part of it, and the idea is to go through the text of Alcoholics Anonymous (The fellowship of AA is NOT the Program of AA, if you're interested) and to capture the essence of the 40 alcoholics that put the Alcoholics Anonymous together. In case you've wondered again, and even if you've not, the text came long before the groups started naming themselves Alcoholics Anonymous. Prior to that there were 'drunks' meetings and "Oxford Group" meetings, and on and on. Bill Wilson was encouraged to write the book and the group in Akron, OH, oversaw the editing. The idea was to capture the essence of what had gotten each of them, and 60 others, sober by the end of 1937. It would take two years.
ANY how, these two guys had gone around the world in the late 80s (and may STILL be touring, for all I know), giving seminars to groups regarding the actuality of THE PROGRAM of Alcoholics Anonymous. Today there are "life programs," and "rehab centers," and "Treatment clinics," and name-your-trend, but the actual 12-Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book) is still the greatest social experiment of the 20th century: Alcoholics curing alcoholics. After all, who ELSE can explain the "jumping off point," or the "Four Horsemen," or the principles, than one who's lived it? Seems rather presumptuous for a bunch of non-alcoholics to profess to know what is best for me, at least in THIS highly intellectually rational alcoholic mind....
Anyway, this brought about mention of Solomon's speakings, back when sand was still rocks, saying that men of imagined woes, the knowing of strange women, walking as if they were at the bottom of the sea (side-to-side) and sleeping in strange places only to get up and search for more wine the next morning was a problem for some people. No, it's not a direct quote, but it serves to underscore the point that even back BEFORE the liquors and beers and many consumables at our disposal, some folks were alcoholic. Even WITH sandals...
We know now that we aren't built like Normal people who, after one or two drinks, simply start feeling sick or woozy or just don't want another. The physical craving (it's a physical malady, not a mental one) starts the second alcohol touches my lips and one is too many, 20 isn't enough. Can you imagine? Two drinks being ENOUGH?! Bwwwaaaaahahahah! I drank for 35 years and STILL, to this day, didn't have enough! Of ANY thing! And when I WASN'T drinking, I was obsessing about drinking!
So there it is: The Doctor's Letter. Admitting we were powerless over alcohol because we have a physical allergy that causes physical craving followed by a mental obsession to have more. A real, gin-you-wine disease.
Treatable.
Gin-you-wine...love it! I've never heard that before. Brilliant.
Thanks SKG! One of the gals I am sponsoring is attending a "Joe & Charlie" workshop this weekend...wow, a coincidence that you posted this, I think not! I love all the history about AA, I've read Bob's and Bill's books and also read some stuff that Lois, Bill's wife, put together...she was so Alanon.
Geri
Geri
Gidday All
Interestingly enough Chapter 8 in the AA Big Book "To Wives"
Was written by Bill W after he asked Dr Bob's wife to write it and she refused and said ask your own wife......he didnt and eventually wrote the chapter himself
I dont blame him because man do i know what my wife would of written
Skg you will be a source of hope for many sponsees who choose to accept the challenge
light and love Zac
Interestingly enough Chapter 8 in the AA Big Book "To Wives"
Was written by Bill W after he asked Dr Bob's wife to write it and she refused and said ask your own wife......he didnt and eventually wrote the chapter himself
I dont blame him because man do i know what my wife would of written
Skg you will be a source of hope for many sponsees who choose to accept the challenge
light and love Zac
I listened to a recording of Bill Wilson talking to a group of folks back in the 50s, and he was explaining the process of trying to get some money to support the cause. He went to various organizations about getting the Big Book published, who should own the rights, what should be included. It was a very very deliberate and painful birth--what should be included, what should not, etc. Remember, that back in the late 30s (just before WWII) women stayed at home and raised the family. Bill wasn't ABOUT to let Louis write that section, and one can SEE the acute sterility of that particular chapter as it relates to a woman's perspective. He wrote it.
In her book "Getting Better," Nan Robertson chronicled the relationship between Bill W. and his wife briefly, though she spoke with her for hours. Although she may not have had a speaking part, Bill's wife is a very strong presence in the spirituality--the anonymity--of The Program.
In her book "Getting Better," Nan Robertson chronicled the relationship between Bill W. and his wife briefly, though she spoke with her for hours. Although she may not have had a speaking part, Bill's wife is a very strong presence in the spirituality--the anonymity--of The Program.
Hey, Shane
I've been going to the Big Book Seminar for the past 4 or 5 years. Charlie is retired and the original Joe has passed away. I missed seeing Charlie by a year. When I started going it was Charlie and another Joe. They are awesome. These days the Seminar still goes on but it is done by other people and it's still great. I'll be going again this year. It's the weekend of Mother's Day this year in Fort Lauderdale. My room is booked even though it's not far from my house. I like to stay cuz the fellowship is wonderful. I've met people from all over the country. Want to meet there? I'll bet you could still get a room <G>
Here's a link to the site
Seminar
I've been going to the Big Book Seminar for the past 4 or 5 years. Charlie is retired and the original Joe has passed away. I missed seeing Charlie by a year. When I started going it was Charlie and another Joe. They are awesome. These days the Seminar still goes on but it is done by other people and it's still great. I'll be going again this year. It's the weekend of Mother's Day this year in Fort Lauderdale. My room is booked even though it's not far from my house. I like to stay cuz the fellowship is wonderful. I've met people from all over the country. Want to meet there? I'll bet you could still get a room <G>
Here's a link to the site
Seminar
Thank you SO much for the link. I'm about half-way through the seminar and they're talking about "WILL," and the effects of Security, Sociality, and Sex. Self Will.
I'll have to check with the Minister of Sociality and Sex to see if she'll let me go.
I'll have to check with the Minister of Sociality and Sex to see if she'll let me go.
Bring her too.
12 Stepper,
Um. How do I say this delicately? Twelve to thirteen hours a DAY?! For 4 days? I'm not ready for that. I'd love to meet your grouchy butt, however, that'd make ME bitchy, too!
~wink~
Um. How do I say this delicately? Twelve to thirteen hours a DAY?! For 4 days? I'm not ready for that. I'd love to meet your grouchy butt, however, that'd make ME bitchy, too!
~wink~
But, but, they give us breaks. LOL It's really not that bad. The first year I went I was mesmerized by all of it. Each year it gets a little less thrilling but having different people doing it keeps it interesting. Joe and Charlie were awesome though (I think I said that already) My sponsor and I tend to skip a session here and there since we've heard it before but we still sit in on quite a bit. Come on down. I'll buy you a cup of coffee. <BEG>
