“Meditation Then and Now”

Meditation holds a critical place within our 11th Step; but few of us know how to approach it, even if we dared. It all sounds so mysterious! Do I need incense and a prayer cushion? Does it require attaining a state of inner calm and tranquility beyond the usual non-stop-monkey-mind dancing in our heads? Where can we turn to for help in understanding and possibly even benefitting from this strange-sounding practice?Well, let’s begin our search with Bill Wilson’s book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. Bill writes that for those ready to learn about meditation, “The world’s libraries and places of worship are a treasure-trove for all seekers.”  He then goes on to describe a form of meditation using the simple (but very ancient) form of meditation known as Lectio Divina or Sacred Reading as he focuses on the Prayer of St. Francis (see p. 101). Bill writes, “…its object is always the same: to improve our conscious contact with God….”Below, we’ll dive a bit deeper into the practice with the aim of putting it to use – first, as part of a morning Quiet Time and then, for those ready to share it with others, how it might be done in a weekly, worshipful group setting.

[http://] Rooted in the Pioneer Practice:  It often comes as a shock to learn that the Pioneers in AA considered prayer and meditation more vital to their recovery than attendance at meetings. Meetings were viewed as “helpful,” but not “vital.” Morning devotion and daily Quiet Times, however, were considered “musts.”Nearly a hundred years have passed since those early AA days, but for those wanting more of what the original program had to offer, a renewed focus on prayer and meditation is in order. Past Newsletters have focused heavily on Pioneer’s prayer practices but very little on meditation. The Pioneers weren’t rigid in their approach of what to read or how to meditate, but most being Christians, gravitated toward the Bible. As Dr Bob said at a 1948 AA Conference, “… we were convinced that the answer to our problem was in the Good Book.” Bob added, “…the parts that we found absolutely essential were the Sermon on the Mount, the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians, and the Book of James.”Since these readings were good enough for Dr. Bob and the early AAs, they might prove a good place for us to begin. Some years ago, I gathered the three recommended Bible writings into a little pamphlet that’s available electronically here.

One Historical view on Sponsorship

Over the years, it appears the definition of sponsorship has changed to include many aspects not originally intended at its conception. In the beginning of AA in Akron, Ohio, an alcoholic needed to be sponsored by a recovering alcoholic to be admitted for treatment at St. Thomas Hospital by Sister Ignatia Gavin. Sister Ignatia, a pioneer in the understanding, and thus, advocation that alcoholism needed to be treated medically, was in charge of admissions at the hospital. With the assistance of Dr. Bob, she would admit the 1st alcoholic patient to St. Thomas under the medical diagnosis of acute gastritis in 1935. The sponsor’s responsibility at this time, was to be present when the patient was admitted and discharged, visit regularly, bring the individual home, and then, to an AA meeting. In their work with the sponsored, sponsors answered questions about the steps and the program and offered guidance and support in the early days of recovery. (Living Sober)

Interestingly, there is nothing written about sponsorship in the Big Book, which was published in 1939. It would not be until 1944 that the topic was addressed by Clarence Snyder. In his A.A. Sponsorship Pamphlet, Snyder outlined the responsibilities and duties of sponsors and the rewards for AA members in carrying the message, the primary reward, insurance against picking up a drink. Once the person was determined to have a drinking problem, had self-awareness of his malady and a desire for help, the sponsor would “present” the AA plan to the man or woman. The plan consisted of assessing if the prospect needed hospitalization, identify oneself as an alcoholic, tell their story, elaborate on the success of AA and the recompenses associated with living a sober life. The sponsor would then stress the value of reading the Big Book, share the “qualities” attributed to AA success, introduce the concept of faith, listen to the individual’s story, bring her or him to meetings and meet with the family to acquaint them with AA’s “principles and objectives”. The sponsor also needed to make sure they had the availability and time to work with the prospect. Lastly, it was suggested the sponsor consult with older members when needing advice or when the assistance of a co-sponsor would be of benefit.

In the early 1950’s, Bill W. would later expound on the duties of AA members in the role of sponsor. Bill wrote; sponsors would lead by spiritual example, share in the recovery process and carry the message on. In 1959, in Language of the Heart, a compilation of his Grapevine writings, Bill would address the subject again with the article Leadership in AA: Ever a Vital Need. He wrote of how sponsors are leaders, who need to be able to assess the reception of prospects, handle criticism, understand the importance of the timing of presentations and guide through their personal spirituality. He continued that the “stakes are huge” as a life and a family’s happiness are “hanging in the balance”, because of this importance, it is imperative that sponsors are mindful of their words and actions.

When examining current AA literature on the topic of sponsorship, carrying the message through personal reflection and sharing is stressed again. According to the pamphlet Questions & Answers on Sponsorship, a sponsor gives support, makes introductions to fellow AAs, answers questions and offers empathy and friendship through the early journey of sobriety. The pamphlet also details what a sponsor is not, a professional in the areas of marriage, law, finance and social work. Additionally stated, the sponsor needs to refrain from imparting their personal views on the sponsored. It is interesting to note, within all the AA literature on sponsors, there is only mention of working with newcomers, it may seem, like so many elements, the length of time one is sponsored has been modified over the ages. One may want to ask, with all these guidelines in place, how could the definition of what a sponsor is, changed so dramatically from its inception?

A person does not need to listen long in the rooms of AA, to hear tales of how sponsors may be overstepping their roles. Whether a member shares of exercises their sponsor insists they do, advice given on relationships, employment, education and living arrangements, it is clear, these are not the responsibilities defined in AA literature. Perhaps the problem is two sided, comprised of ego and dependency. The sponsor, assigned “expert” in achieving and maintaining sobriety, may encounter a temporary lapse in humility, which leads to feeling qualified to impart knowledge and advice in all aspects of the person’s life. The sponsored, brimming with gratitude and awe for the person who has helped them attain sobriety, may put the sponsor on a pedestal, believing they possess all the worldly knowledge and advice they will ever need.

Whatever dynamics are responsible for the misconception of sponsorship, the results may often lead to resentment, wrong choices, stagnation of emotional maturity, and, most devastating, a newcomer feeling overwhelmed and leaving the rooms. In carrying the message, we must be careful not to impart our will upon others as we offer a lifeline out of the despairs of alcoholism. Lasting, enduring and working relationships are born out of compassion, reciprocity, trust and respect. By ensuring these components are always present, possibilities for personal and spiritual growth will thrive for all of those who are working together for the greater good of the whole.

“in the beginning”

DARWIN 1986

The ‘Class of 86’ which included Pat Mac, Kevin K,  Celia, Tom G., John W, Harry and many others  bought an increase of about eight and provided a solid foundation for AA for many years to come. Activities at this time included a Library display, placing of posters and literature in Doctors waiting rooms, public notice boards, libraries and the hospital. Channel 8 was running excellent TV advertisements, new Radio announcements were broadcast and a large amount of literature went to the Prison. Prison visits were announced around each block and each new Inmate was given a letter from AA about our Sunday meeting for which we were given the Auditorium at this time so members were not exposed to the public and other prisoners. The ADTU and Prison had 11 and six members respectively rostered. National Office proposed we form an Area and send a delegate to conference. This did not happen until the following year when we had a surplus of funds and no way of increasing expenditure locally.

 In 1987 Alice Springs offered to Pay 50% of the Delegates costs to attend Conference. Our first Delegate was John S with alternate Maurice Mac from Alice Springs. The Northern Region Officially became part of the National Structure on 30^th July1987 when our Application to Form an Area was accepted by the Conference Policy and Admissions Committee. Encouraged by Bob W, Graham R and others the Northern Territory became a Region and Darwin and Alice Springs decided the Region should have one Area and two Districts.  In 1989 a motion was approved to switch from our CSC based structure to a National based Structure with a District instead of a CSC. (We had no Office at this time) 17 Voting members were at this meeting. Our Area was successful in a bid to hold a Regional Forum and the PI committee began submitting written reports to the District. Simplification of literature for Aboriginals was first mentioned. Social events included Christmas and New Year parties. The CSC meetings moved to Francis Street Rapid Creek.

Alice Springs

The AA message started in Darwin but thankfully it didn’t take long to spread to other parts of the Territory.

In the mid sixties Archie St Clair lived in Alice Springs and wanted to start a meeting so he travelled the 1300 kilometres to Darwin to get some advice from Paul V.The first meetings in the town were held in a hall in Hartley Street and then moved to the Salvation Army Hostel in Stuart Terrace.

Although suffering quite severe health problems from being struck by lightning in Japan during World War II, Arch visited the Alice Springs Jail to help prisoners with alcohol problems. He worked variously as a transport driver, on the Central Australian Railway as a train guard and later had his own taxi in Alice Springs. Arch and his wife Carmel moved to Mooloolaba on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in 1983. He dies there on 16 July, 2000 aged 74. He had been sober for 18 years.

As far as can be ascertained, there was no AA meeting in Alice Springs in the late 1960’s – early 1970’s until Tom Murphy started up one about 1972.

Tom found AA in New Guinea and was sober about 13 years when he came from there to take up a position with the Department of Works as a clerk in the Alice Springs power station.

He started a meeting on Monday nights in the staff room of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School in Hartley Street and sat there by himself reading the Big Book for a year or 18 months until joined by ‘Bushie Jack’ R, who got sober in Perth.

Bob W came in September 1974, Lennie O’B in November 1977 and the meeting started to grow. A second meeting started at the hospital a year or so later.

Tom retired to Queensland about 1977, finally living at Kuranda on the Atherton Tablelands behind Cairns. He died there on October 5, 1996 aged 79.

The first Outback Roundup (originally the Alice Springs Round-Up) was first suggested by Father Ferdie Parer, of Palm Island (off the North Queensland coast). He offered to bring over a part of Palm Island AA’s and Al-Anons if Alice Springs would put on a round-up.

No one in Alice knew much about running a round-up so the few members sought some advice from Darwin. The late Nev Duncan kindly gave some help in setting up a program.

Father Ferdie, true to his word, brought a wonderful bunch of Palm islanders and the first Alice Springs Round-Up was held during the May long weekend in 1979.

Visitors enjoyed so much the barbecue and meeting ‘out bush’ in the dry bed of the Temple Bar Creek during the 1981 and 1982 round-ups that in 1983 the round-up included one night out at Hamilton Downs old homestead, then a youth camp. Visitors and locals alike thought this such a beautiful and suitable venue that the round-ups were held there from 1984 to 1989, spending the Saturday and Sunday Nights. In 1984 the name was changed to the Outback Round-up.

Because weather can be quite cold during the first weekend in May, from 1986 the round-up dates were changed to around the middle of April. In recent years the Alice Springs round-up has been held at a venue in the town around the middle of August, on a weekend to follow the Darwin and Katherine round-ups. For the last two years the round-up has been held in July preceding the Darwin round-up with the purpose of “catching” members heading north for the other round-ups.

Katherine

Alcoholics Anonymous has been involved in the Katherine community since the 1970’s. During this time AA members came and went but Pat C kept the doors open until Jack S returned from Darwin Detox in February1979.

Pat C moved on, other members drifted in and out, but Jack remained. In October 1982, Leon moved from Melbourne and joined Jack. They promoted AA throughout this small country town and the meeting started to attract up to a dozen members. AA went from one meeting a week to three – which it still retains.

Katherine’s hosted its first Roundup in 1991 with the help of Gary D, Leon, Peter M, Ruth and others. Mark moved from Darwin in the mid 90’s and has been instrumental in keeping the Roundup going, along with the constant support of the local members and visitors from interstate, overseas and Darwin.

Overall AA has had a constant presence in Katherine since the 70’s which is not bad for a small country town in the outback of Australia. A number of local people have been introduced to AA in Katherine and have gone onto maintain lengthy sobriety. A town such as Katherine has a large Indigenous population and quite a number of Aboriginal people have got sober and stayed sober for lengthy periods as a result of the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Come in…you’re in the right place

Fifty years of AA in the Territory is a wonderful achievement…but it’s even more important that the fellowship continues to carry its message for another 50 years, and beyond.

WATCH OUT FOR MORE EXCITING TERRITORY AA HISTORY NEXT MONTH

Dr. Bob’s Farewell Talk

First AA International Convention, Public Hall, Cleveland, July 30^th 1950

My good friends in AA and of AA… I get a big thrill out of looking over a vast sea of faces like this with a feeling that possibly some small thing that I did a number of years ago played a small part in making this meeting possible. I also get quite a thrill when I think that we all had the same problem. We all did the same things. We all get the same results in proportion to our zeal and enthusiasm and stick-to-itiveness. If you will pardon the injection of a personal note at this time, let me say that I have been in bed five of the last seven months and my strength hasn’t returned as I would like, so my remarks of necessity will be very brief.

But there are two or three things that flashed into my mind on which it would be fitting to lay a little emphasis; one is the simplicity of our program. Let’s not louse it all up with Freudian complexes and things that are interesting to the scientific mind, but have very little to do with our actual AA work. Our Twelve Steps, when simmered down to the last, resolve themselves into the words “love” and “service.” We understand what love is, and we understand what service is. So let’s bear those two things in mind.

And one more thing: None of us would be here today if somebody hadn’t taken time to explain things to us, to give us a little pat on the back, to take us to a meeting or two, to have done numerous little kind and thoughtful acts in our behalf. So let us never get the degree of smug complacency so that we’re not willing to extend, or attempt to, that help which has been so beneficial to us, to our less fortunate brothers.

The Wilmington Preamble has long been surrounded by controversy and discussion of such has sparked many a debate almost from its inception in the early years of Alcoholics Anonymous. The history of our fellowship has mostly been passed from member to member over the expanse of many years; member whose very disease has a tendency to distort one’s memory. Inaccuracies may prevail. The following is in no way an attempt to dispel those controversies, but an effort to establish an accurate history of the birth of the Wilmington Preamble and to keep it’s true history alive for the enlightenment of future generations. Documentable corrections are welcomed.

The Wilmington Preamble’s birth ties in with one of Wilmington’s earliest members, Shoes L. Shoes joined the Wilmington Group and got sober in May of 1944.The following month in June, Shoes was Chairman of the group and in charge of getting speakers for their meetings. There was at this time a sportswriter in town covering the horseraces at Delaware Park. His name was Mickey M. and Shoes asked him to speak at the group’s meeting. Mickey replied that he wasn’t much of a speaker but that he would write something appropriate. He reportedly went back to his room at the Hotel Dupont and wrote the Wilmington Preamble as we know it and it was read the following Friday night.

Being a sportswriter, Mickey M. covered events in other towns, and while in Baltimore covering the races at Pimlico gave the same preamble to the Baltimore Group which they also adopted as their own. Where it was actually read first is the subject of many debates but one fact remains clear, that this “Preamble” was widely accepted in Maryland and Delaware long before World Service sanctioned the shorter A.A. Preamble that is more universally accepted today.

The Wilmington AA Preamble

We of Alcoholics Anonymous are a group of persons for whom alcohol has become a major problem. We have banded together in a sincere effort to help ourselves and other problem drinkers recover health and maintain sobriety.

Definitions of alcoholics are many and varied. For brevity we think of an alcoholic as one whose life has become unmanageable to any degree due to the use of alcohol.

We believe that the alcoholic is suffering from a disease for which no cure has yet been found. We profess no curative powers but have formulated a plan to arrest alcoholism.

From the vast experience of our many members we have learned that successful membership demands total abstinence. Attempts at controlled drinking by the alcoholic inevitably fail.

Membership requirements demand only a sincere desire on the part of the applicant to maintain total abstinence.

There are no dues of fees in A.A.; no salaried officers. Money necessary for operating expenses is secured by voluntary contributions.

Alcoholics Anonymous does not perform miracles, believing that such powers rests only in God.

We adhere to no particular creed or religion. We do believe, however, that an appeal for help to one’s own interpretation of a higher power, or God, is indispensable to a satisfactory adjustment to life’s problems.

Alcoholics Anonymous is not a prohibition or temperance movement in any sense of the word. We have no criticism of the controlled drinker. We are concerned only with the alcoholic.

We attempt to follow a program of recovery which has for its chief objectives: Sobriety for ourselves; help for other alcoholics who desire it; amends for past wrongs; humility; honesty; tolerance; and spiritual growth.

We welcome and appreciate the cooperation of the medical profession and the help of the clergy.

Remembering AA’s Pioneers: Sam Shoemaker

Bill Wilson wrote:“Every river has a wellspring at its source. AA Is like that too. In the beginning, there was a spring which poured out of a clergyman, Dr. Samuel Shoemaker.…” “It was from him that Dr. Bob and I in the beginning absorbed most of the principles that were afterward embodied in the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous….”

Remembering Our Roots

AA has now begun the ten-year countdown to its 100th Anniversary. Our Pioneer members have died long ago while its birth from within the Oxford Group is little known or appreciated by many of its members today.But historian-poet Carl Sandburg left a warning we might do well to heed, “Whenever a society or civilization fails, there is always one condition present. They forgot where they came from.”Our Twelve-Step Fellowships need to be around for many more years to serve the millions of alcoholics and addicts yet to come. Knowing where we came from can go a long way to preserving what we’ve been so freely given and entrusted to pass on.Over the course of the next several issues we’ll highlight the contributions of some of these AA Pioneers. Knowing their experience with and their dedication to Two Way Prayer helped open many of us to the prayer practice our Fellowships nearly lost until we remembered “where we came from.” If you’re not familiar with the practice, this video will introduce you to it – and if you’re interested in going still deeper into its origins and putting it into practice, our new book will get you jump started. Your Program may never be the same!

“Sam Shoemaker’s Spiritual Legacy“

By: Father Bill W. It would be impossible to recount in a few, short paragraphs the many ways Sam Shoemaker left his imprint on the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Bill Wilson credited him with being his source for no fewer than ten of the Twelve Steps. Dr. Bob could trace his joining the Oxford Group directly to Shoemaker’s sobering up the son of one of Akron’s rubber barons two long years before Bill Wilson arrived in town pacing back and forth in the lobby of the Mayflower Hotel knowing he needed an alcoholic to work with if he hoped to stay sober. Bob wouldn’t have been there waiting for him if Sam hadn’t been there first.It’s equally impossible not to see the Hand of Providence at work through Sam Shoemaker’s influence on the evolution of AA’s principles and practices. As Bill Wilson later confided to Shoemaker’s youngest daughter, “Don’t let anyone ever tell you I founded A.A. If it wasn’t for Sam Shoemaker, A.A. would never have been born.”In this Newsletter, I thought it would be best to let Sam speak for himself. I’ve chosen three examples from among his many works that may give you a feel for the man, his character and his message. First, his poem I Stand by the Door is a classic every 12-Step sponsor needs to read and re-read if they want to understand and emulate the spiritual attitude that Sam and many of the AA Pioneers adopted in carrying the spiritual message to the religious skeptics of their day. Many of today’s alcoholics and addicts are even more turned off to religion than they were in Sam’s time. His poem counsels caution, but without watering down of the message of God’s power to transform the lives of broken men and women in need.Second, is an article drawn from the talk Sam delivered at AA’s 1955 Twentieth Anniversary in St. Louis, Missouri. It’s titled, What the Church Has to Learn from Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s a work well worth copying and sharing with a friend and the Step Study website you’ll find it on hosts a treasure trove of Pioneer AA material, so be sure to sample some of the other Pioneer gems.Finally, there’s a YouTube link to Sam’s 1960 AA Address delivered at the Twenty Fifth Anniversary in Long Beach, California. He’s warmly welcomed to the podium by his grateful student Bill Wilson.I hope you’ll sample one or all of these so we never forget where we came from.