MY FIRST introduction to the importance of the Big Book came to me in the local coffee shop after a noontime meeting. It. came by way of an old-timer on the AA program who told me of various things: “guideposts” and “musts”; learning to read, in order to read to learn; and learning to understand, in order to understand to learn. Needless to say, I thought the chap was a bit daffy. But, wanting desperately to hold on to my newfound sobriety, I trudged off home to read the book Alcoholics Anonymous. Little did I know that I was entering into a journey that would lift the compulsion to drink and would restore some order and sanity to my life.
Today, through reading the Big Book, I have found three excellent reasons to continue doing so. On page 20, the book states: “If you are an alcoholic who wants to get over it, you may already be asking- What do I have to do?’ It is the purpose of this book to answer such questions specifically.”
Not bad for starters, but let’s continue to 29, where it says: “Further on, clear-cut directions are given showing how we recovered.” The book not only answers my questions specifically, but gives me clear-cut directions.
Finally, on 45: “Lack of power, that was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves. Obviously. But where and how were we to find this Power? Well, that’s exactly what this book is about. Its main objective is to enable you to find a Power greater than yourself which will solve your problem.”
The Big Book states three powerful reasons why I should continue to read its important pages.
Source URL:https://www.aagrapevine.org/magazine/1979/mar/big-book
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