The 12 Principles of the 12 Steps practice

The 12 Principles of the 12 Steps “practice these principles in all our affairs. ” (Step 12) PRESENTED BY THE Institute for Learning and Development For more information go to: www. imustnotuse. com

Introduction It is stated in Step 12 of AA/NA to “ … practice these principles in all our affairs. ” What does that mean and what principles are the Steps referring to as stated? The NA Basic Text reports with regard to Step 6 that “This is a step of willingness. Willingness is the spiritual principle of Step 6. ” How does one practice these principles? What is the philosophy of the 12 Steps? Can patients incorporate these philosophies into their personal recovery? Does each of the 12 Steps have a spiritual principle attached to it? The answer to that question is a resounding … Yes. This presentation will reveal to the viewer the 12 Spiritual Principles attached to each of the individual 12 Steps.

Step 1 We admitted we were powerless over our addiction – that our lives had become unmanageable Admit: a) to concede as true or valid, b) acceptance or acknowledgement of the truth The truth about what? That you were powerless over your addiction and … your life was unmanageable!!

The Spiritual Principle of Step 1 is … Honesty

Step 2 Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity Believe: to accept something as true, genuine or real Restore: to bring back to or put back into a former or original state Believe could restore what ? Your SANITY!!

The Spiritual Principle of Step 2 is … Hope

Step 3 Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God Decision: a determination arrived at after consideration Decision about what ? To turn your will over … To stop doing things your way To take another path and know it will be okay

The Spiritual Principle of Step 3 is … Faith

Step 4 Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves Fearless: to be brave and courageous without apprehension Brave: having or showing courage Be brave and courageous about what ? About taking a good look inside yourself and making the much needed changes.

The Spiritual Principle of Step 4 is … Courage “… to change those things I can” (Sound familiar? )

Step 5 Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs Exact: a) exhibiting strict, particular, and complete accordance with fact b) marked by thorough consideration of small factual details Factual consideration about what ? About honestly admitting the truth about yourself; about who you really are.

The Spiritual Principle of Step 5 is … Integrity

Step 6 Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character Entirely: having no element or part left out; to the full extent Ready: prepared mentally or physically for some experience or action Be ready, you are prepared. For what ? To be willing to let go of all your character defects

The Spiritual Principle of Step 6 is … Willingness

Step 7 Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings Remove: to get rid of Be careful how and what you ask God for. The Spiritual Principle is obvious …

The Spiritual Principle of Step 7 is … Humility

Step 8 Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all Amend: to put right; to change or modify for the better Became willing: refer to Step 6 Become willing for what ? Willing to ask forgiveness Willing to forgive yourself

The Spiritual Principles of Step 9 is … Discipline

Step 10 Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it Continued: lasting without interruption Personal: relating to an individual’s character, conduct, motives, or private affairs Continue to do what ? Constantly be taking your moral inventory without interruption.

The Spiritual Principle of Step 10 is… Perseverance

Step 11 Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood God, praying only for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out Ask yourself daily: what is God’s will for me? Ask your HP daily : what is Your will for me? When you find the answers you will already have the power to carry it out.

The Spiritual Principle of Step 11 is… Awareness

Step 12 Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs You now have knowledge of the spiritual principles that are referred to in this last Step 12. You are responsible to carry the message that recovery is possible and practice these principles. Not just when you feel like it or when it’s convenient but … Practice these principles in ALL your affairs!!

The Spiritual Principle of Step 12 is… Service You can only keep what you have by giving it away.

In Summary: The Spiritual Principles of the 12 Steps 1. Honesty 2. Hope 3. Faith 4. Courage 5. Integrity 6. Willingness 7. Humility 8. Brotherly Love 9. Discipline 10. Perseverance 11. Awareness 12. Service

CONCLUSION If you are new to recovery or were not aware of these principles then now you have the knowledge. You must be responsible for that knowledge. As with any grant you are obliged to apply these principles to your personal recovery. Q) What about the 12 Traditions? Do the 12 Traditions have Spiritual Principles? Can you use them in your personal recovery? A) YES Check back for the next presentation: The 12 Principles of the 12 Traditions at www. imustnotuse. com

Now go out there and recover. Good Luck!!