cire perdue

After an Al Anon meeting, someone said that AA was all from the Bible and there were 12 step Bibles. I thought not, and got a book on the founding of AA. AA may be able to be found in the Bible, but it was more directly related to the Oxford Society, Carl Jung (YES), and a book by William James, VARIETIES OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES.

The handful of the founders apparently dissected what it was that changed them. They knew that it was the spiritual connection that had made the difference for them, so they decided to make a conscious path with directions for the recipe for sobriety. They knew that if it was too religious that it would lose people as the Oxford Society was too evangelical. They also with amazing insight decided that unity had to be a foundation or that it would not survive. It remains my understanding that they took experience and behavior rather than beliefs and dogma and turned into a practical path to achieve sobriety. Guess what?

AA is the only program for alcoholism that works. Any of the big guys like Hazeldon et al seek to lead people into 12 step programs when they are inpatients and expect them to continue after release. In the late 1980's and early 90's new treatment centers bloomed, but by 2000 they were gone. Why? Because there was no significant success rate for recovery. Even Medicaid in some states was going to withhold benefits if recepients did not get sober, but there was no treatment that could be used to help anyone reach sobriety with enough certainty to require it.

Now as a Baha'i I have felt that the 12 steps and especially the unity emphasis relate especially well to the Faith. It has taught me to be a better Baha'i, perhaps the only way I have been able to grow. It is very compatible. Even the verities programs has some same elements.

Isn't it interesting that it makes no difference if there was a physical resurrection or not, because if there is no spiritual transformation, then there is no proof that the Holy Spirit is working? 12 step members do not and cannot fight over religious matters, but it is obvious with sobriety that there has been a tremendous spiritual working. It is clearly demonstrated by these sober people that no other activity, force, or program could change them, only a spiritual change would do it. This is entirely about the essence of religion which is the details for all, not just addicts and alcoholics. As Baha'is we admit we are powerless, that God has sent Baha'u'llah, and them we decide to turn our will and our lives over to His care. I think Baha'is have spiritual transformations. Don't you?

Imani

Spiritual and/or physical transformations seem to be a running theme in all the religions that have preceded Baha'i faith.

Christianity: the most obvious perhaps, Jesus was (in Christian belief) crucified, killed, then resurrected, taking away the sins of humanity and changing the way humans lived forever.

Buddhism: Buddha tried many false paths before finding the middle way, and received his Awakening while meditating beneath the fig tree. Nirvana is a complete transformation of mind and spirit, attained when the true path is discovered, and can theoretically be achieved by anyone.

Islam: Muhammad was a regular guy, a poor orphan boy, then a shepherd youth, then a merchant man, until he received revelation from the angel Jibreel while meditating in a cave one day. He was transformed into Prophet, and became the conduit for the Qur'an as it was revealed to him by God through Jibreel a little at a time.

There is also a tradition in Sufi mysticism of meditation or dancing or chanting (or sometimes drugs, in fringe groups) until the world "disappears" and only God remains...there is a mental exhaustion that occurs that allows one to see inside one's nature and transcend the physical plane, experiencing God directly. This always reminded me of the Enlightenment that Buddhists achieve with meditation. Maybe these are the same thing???

Judaism: I can't think of a good example except that the practice of Kabbalah allows practitioners to open their minds and understand the true nature of God as is hidden "between the lines" in the Torah, which is written in a code that can only be cracked through a combination of mathematical study and expansion of spirit.

Hinduism: Dunno! But I bet there's something.

Zoroastrianism: Dunno! I still bet there is something.

The running theme is that faith does transform people. It has to be rigorous faith, the kind of faith that makes you "lose yourself"...we are talking very intense faith here. But then, apparently, real transformations do happen.

How can so many people scattered across the earth all report it to be true unless there is truth in it?

Sboyce

Beautiful Imani. As a believer of the Oneness of religion I believe God will show those who are willing the path. "we will show them our ways" I believe the Qur'an says. And I believe that a "hindered progress" as say My pentecostal cousins may have but the faith they have now saved them from a life of drug addiction. Faith is wonderous, thank God.
Allah-u-abha