Apr 02, 2012 big books detailed fourth step inventory. Part i pioneers of aa acceptance was the answer previously doctor, alcoholic, addict 439 407 dr. The step 4 prayer from how it works page 66 of the big book, alcoholics anonymous. We cannot pretend to be experts at understanding depth psychology, so we have to concentrate at first, not on searching for the causes of uncomfortable feelings of anger, but on coping with the feelings. There doesnt appear to be any big book stories that talk about turnarounds when describing their step work. If you have resentment you want to be free of, if you will pray for the person or thing that you resent, you will. If that might be your own case, that is finejust proceed by making a list of people, institutions or principles page 64 with whom you are or have ever. Getting rid of resentments 1st edition by hazelden author 5.
My bottle, my resentments, and me alcoholics anonymous. For some reason, amazon seems not to be carrying the other titles, except as a set, and i would rather access them individually, or a few at a time. Mar 16, 20 alcoholics anonymous, page 64 aside from confusion, the second obstacle some of us have encountered at step four has been in the shortsighted belief we had no resentments. The passage posted by avaneesh is the one from the big book that i quote the most. Step four prayer freedom from resentment step 4 of the 12. Page 552, 4th edition someone was having a problem with resentment in the meeting this morning in stepchat, and i told them to read this as i was told to and it helped me.
Resentments old grudges, bitter memories, simmering anger can be triggers to a relapse. Resentments in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. In the resentment inventory, dont write across, do it in columns, i. As in so many things, especially with we alcoholics, our history is our greatest assetwe each arrived at the doors of aa with an intensive and lengthy history of things that do not work today, in aa and in recovery, our history has added an intensive and lengthy history of things that do work and we will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. The fourth step of aa a moral inventory is meant to tackle resentment. Clearly, there is no historical references that we can find to anything called turnarounds from the founders or pioneers of aa. That the book says resentment destroys alcoholics more than anything else has always stood out for me. Twelve steps to live without resentment hazelden betty. Resentments definition of resentments by the free dictionary. The big books way to be rid of resentment pages 63 67.
Resentments, inventory, amends and forgiveness 12stepphilosophy. Bobs nightmare 171 171 window of opportunity 421 aa number three 182 182 he had to be shown 193 he thought he could drink like a gentlemen. The second edition, published in 1955, reached a total of more than 1,150,500 copies. Learning to deal with resentments is discussed in more detail in the books alcoholics anonymous and twelve steps and twelve traditions.
Resentment in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. Resentments in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and. John doe, and would gladly purchase other titles in the series. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions alcoholics anonymous alcoholics anonymous this is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. My fourth step in the tradition of the big book of aa in dealing with resentments on paper, we set them on paper. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism is often referred to in alcoholics anonymous meetings aa as the big book. And remember that many forms of addiction left unchecked are fatal. If you have a resentment you want to be free of, if you will pray for the person or the thing that you resent, you will be free. The big book was originally published in 1939 by aa founders bill w. The big book of alcoholics anonymous millions of people have read the big book of aa to find instruction on how to recover from alcoholism. This workbook provides exercises to help identify and defuse resentments. Those to me are an unwaivering set of beliefs that i live by. In order to overcome resentments, you need to acknowledge exactly what they are. Aug 24, 2014 the page 552 prayer to end resentments posted by paulcoholic on 24 august 2014, 6.
I have highlighted, underlined, starred and tabbed this part of the big book. Sad because i believe if you incorporate these simple instructions into your life you access a power to be free of the bondage of my anger or judgement. What ever our protestations, are not most of us concerned with ourselves, our resentments, or our selfpity. Realize that you are using resentment to replicate your family drama and maintain a connection with those dramas, a necessary acknowledgment before you can let them go. I think aa teaches alot of good ideas, but i think you know how i stand on the power issues. Expectations are premeditated resentments soberrecovery. In addition, it was a good place to steal beer and be a big guy with the other kids in school. The golden book of resentments another golden book. It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. The book also includes stories and anecdotes that are designed to inspire individuals to pursue the fellowship of aa and follow the 12 steps.
Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. Obsessed with scoring, refuses to play by the rules. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. This is the official website of the general service office g. Core character defects 4 study from the bottom of page 63 to the end of page 65 and then follow its instructions. Twelve steps to live without resentment hazelden betty ford. Jul 22, 2017 early on in sobriety i read a popular selfhelp book that was being passed around among aa members entitled why am i afraid to tell you who i am by john powell. Sep 10, 2014 someone was having a problem with resentment in the meeting this morning in stepchat, and i told them to read this as i was told to and it helped me. The big book s way to be rid of resentment pages 63 67 instructions. Breaking down step four of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. There have been numerous reprints and revisions, in addition to translations into dozens of languages. I was hired to protect her, not make her scream my name. Take a look at common resentments people experience in sobriety.
Jan 06, 2018 the three paragraphs on p667 give me the instructions. W hen i rodeinto a small mountain town in an empty freight car, my matted beard and. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. Indignation or ill will stemming from a feeling of having been wronged or offended. We listed the people, institutions or principles with whom we were angry.
After all this, it cant be denied that the big book paints a really definite picture of the result of holding resentments. From it stem all forms of spiritual disease, for we have. The page 552 prayer to end resentments sober catholic. I left with my hatred, resentment, and the clothes on my back. The big books way to be rid of resentment pages 63 67 instructions. In the book alcoholics anonymous, it suggests that resentment is the number one manifestation of selfego. The big book friends is an informal discussion group where men and women interested in the big book of alcoholics anonymous daily discuss the pages of the big book. Resentments are addictive feelings, and they are toxic. I think at one point sobriety was my main focus in life, but now having changed my focus to happiness and contentment while living sober the 12 step method does not match that criteria for me.
On our grudge list we set opposite each name our injuries. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. The book goes on to tell us how to handle resentments. My bottle, my resentments, and me from childhood trauma to skid row drunk, this hobo. Resentment in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and. If you would like to become a member, please send a blank email to. Books similar to resentment meet your next favorite book. It is true that some aa members try to rationalize bad ways of thinking and behavior, but the general trend has been in the direction of real selfimprovement. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. His is the fourth edition of the book alcoholics anonymous. I greatly enjoyed this title in the golden book series by fr. Turnarounds turnarounds is a term used by some in aa to indicate the beneficial huge emotional displacements. See origins of aa s 4th step moral inventory it is not mentioned in the big book text at any point.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Friends childhood friends clergy coworkers cousins creditors doctors employees girl friends. According to the classic book alcoholics anonymous, resentment and alcoholism go hand in hand. So i figured i would post it here so i have it handy. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. These instructions are for the below prayer big book, freedom from bondage, p. For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. Resentment is a negative emotion that is triggered by a sense of being treated unjustly. In the largest city close by i could be found, dead broke, drinking myself into. The first edition appeared in april 1939, and in the following sixteen years, more than 300,000 copies went into circulation. Thats the way my drinking began, as a way to make the pain go away. From dodging bullets in afghanistan to working for the secret service, i know danger pretty well.
Aa recognizes that resentment is toxic to our inner lives. Aa history what does the bigbook say about resentment. The 164 and more book, ebook, and web site are all concordances which display passages from the big book alcoholics anonymous, the twelve steps and twelve traditions, and the a. Find all uses of this word in the big book alcoholics anonymous and the twelve steps and twelve traditions of a. The text got this name because the first edition of the book had rather thick pages, making the book even thicker than its content would suggest. Approach resentment as the addictive state of mind it is. When our spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and. Oct 25, 2015 resentment, rage and recovery by thomas b october 25, 2015 alcohol and drug treatment, personal stories, previously featured stories 20 37458 aa orthodoxy depicts an especially dire portrayal of the negative consequences of resentment and rage for those of us addicted to alcohol, and who seek recovery through aa.
Examine how your resentment may come from mentally confusing people in your present life with people in your. Oct 31, 2002 buy alcoholics anonymous big book 4rev ed by alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Page 67 of the book, alcoholics anonymous, states, resentment is the number one offender. Learning the process of overcoming resentment literally saves the lives of people who are afflicted with the disease of alcoholism. The book is published by alcoholics anonymous world services. The second edition 1955 consisted of 1,150,000 copies. As i look back over hundreds of aa meetings, i would have to say that i have received excellent advice and information on the subject of anger and resentments. People father mother boy friendslovers brothers sisters sponsors employers a.
From it stem all forms of spiritual disease, for we have been not only mentally and physically ill, we have also been spiritually ill. Get into the habit of writing every day, even if its only for ten minutes. A person mired in resentment has scant chances of recovering from addiction. Read read of step 4 resentments in the big book the final 4 paragraphs, pp.