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suggested that the reader consider it as if they were attending “a group meeting which isstudying the basic text of the AA Big Book”.In that setting, consider that, over in the corner, sits an “old timer” who has beenaround AA for over half a century. He is usually long-winded, repeats himself frequently,and has an opinion on just about anything or everything pertaining to the AA program.However, he does usually wait to be called upon before unleashing his viewpoints onothers. It is obvious he is reasonably familiar with what is contained in the AA Big Book.His observations are eagerly accepted by some “as a guru”, and similarly rejected byothers as being the blabbering of “an old man who has forgotten what it is like”.Despite the belief by many that “the old timer is full of crap” he remains sober,and has been sober a very long time. Frequently he may voice “a point of view” withwhich it is very difficult to argue, dispute, or to find fault with it. After many years ofsobriety, he still attends a lot of meetings, and claims to be “reasonably happy, joyous andfree”. This will sometimes disturb those who find “their own personal belief system” isbeing challenged by what he says.During any such meeting to Study the AA Big Book, youwould expect to encounter a wide variety of viewpoints on theportions under consideration. The individual “Sections” of this StudyGuide material reflect ideas, emotions and attitudes you might hearfrom the mouth of that “old timer over in the corner”. (see pg. 27).The written material of this Study Guide is being provide in a self-centered attemptto assure the efforts of a lifetime remain available to anyone who might be interested. Theyare the ideas, emotions and attitudes which produced satisfactory results for a singlealcoholic. Other alcoholics are encouraged to put forth similar effort and make “theirpersonal interpretation” available to other alcoholics in a similar and equal manner.Recovery from alcoholism is something which requirescontinued effort to “perfect and enlarge a spiritual life”. (see pgs 1415, 35, 129 & 164). When evaluating this Study Guide material, it issuggested that the reader proceed at their own pace. Valid newknowledge will always displace and rearrange “erroneous old ideas andfalse beliefs”.The only measure of validity for ideas, emotions and attitudes which are theguiding forces in the lives of alcoholics is to be found in how well they work. Do theyproduce satisfactory results? Are they principles with application to anyone, anyplace andat any time? (see pg. 27).The improvement of an established belief system is not an overnight matter. (seeSteps 10 & 11). With this thought in mind, (pg. 23), study the material of each individualSection carefully, in the light of your own intelligence.Scan rapidly through the material first, without paying any particular attention tothe parenthetical references to other portions of the AA basic text. If the points beingviii

made are not clearly understood, then review the references for additional clarification.There is “no other authority” intended to be used than the basic text itself.If the reader cannot reconcile with the basic text of AAanything they are told by anyone about the AA program, this authorrecommends it be considered suspect of error.It is recommended that the reader progress through the extensive comments of theauthor over an extended period of time. Each individual Section was intended to serve as“a single lesson in an educational variety of a spiritual experience” for those with anopen mind to new “ideas, emotions and attitudes”. (pg. 27). Hopefully it will be useful tosome alcoholics in producing “the personality change sufficient to bring about recovery”.The comments are primarily intended for those experiencing difficulty accepting traditionalreligious versions of “God, as we understand Him”. It is anticipated that any suchtransformation will develop slowly over a period of time.“Yet it is true that our first printing gave manyreaders the impression that these personality changes, orreligious experiences must be in the nature of suddenand spectacular upheavals. Happily for everyone, thisconclusion is erroneous.”(see Appendix II - Spiritual Experience).For the alcoholic who is “a defiant individualist” there is value in building apersonal belief system on the foundation of the AA basic text for recovery. This approachto recovery has produced demonstrated results which remain unequaled by any other thusfar. However, “Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what theyoffer.” (pg. 87). Just remember that their discovery of “a truth” is not the same as havingknowledge of “all truth”.“Our book is meant to be suggestive only. Werealize we know only a little. God will constantly disclosemore to you and to us.”(pg. 164)With a mental attitude of willingness, honesty and open mindedness, givethoughtful intelligent consideration to the ideas, emotions and attitudes of any alcoholicwho has achieved successful results in their life. Especially those which you would like tohave included in your own. While no two individuals will ever be happy, joyous and freein an identical manner, anyone can acquire new knowledge of the Great Reality fromalmost anyone.Any improvement in your own “conscious contact with God” will allow forspiritual progress in cooperating with life, on life’s terms. It will occur as you understandmore about “a power greater than yourself”. This “spiritual growth” is to be found byconstantly seeking new knowledge from the infinite source of all knowledge. That sourceis some intelligence referred to by use of the “three letter word God”.ix

The individual alcoholic, seeking recovery will quicklyrecognize a need for reliance upon “a conception of God” thatproduces practical results. A fundamental idea of God as “the sourceof all new knowledge” is a simple approach which has worked well formany. (see pg. 46).This approach to recovery has been particularly valuable to those alcoholics whohave difficulty believing the versions of “a power greater than ourselves” offered by andavailable from the spokesmen for many traditional religious “ideas of God”.What this author has found by way of support for “a fundamental idea of God”from the basic text of AA is being freely offered in this Study Guide material to those whoare interested.TAKE WHAT YOU CAN USE, AND LEAVE THE REST FOR OTHERS*****x

SECTION A03TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTION A: Introduction to Study Guide & Basic Text:Page ReferencesBig BookStudy GuideA00 Cover & Frontispiecen/aiA01 Preface to Study Guiden/aiiiA02 How to Use this Study Guiden/av-xA03 Table of Contentsn/axi - xivA04 Foreword to Study Guiden/axv - xviiA05 Comments on Sponsorshipn/axix - xxivA06 To the Serious Student of the AA Big Bookn/axxv - xxviiA07 About the Author, by the Authorn/axxix - xxxivA08 Getting Started with AA’s Big Bookn/axxxv - xxxviiA09 The Doctor’s Opinionn/axxxix - xlA10 About the Basic Text of AA (Chapters 1 - 11)A11 About the Personal Storiesxli - xliixliii - xlivA12 ABOUT THE APPENDICES:Appendix I: “The AA Tradition”The Short FormThe Long FormAppendix II:“Spiritual Experience”Appendix III“The Medical View of AA”Appendix IV“The Lasker Award”Appendix V“The Religious View on AA”*****xixlv - liii

SECTION B: The Basic Text of AA (Chapters 1 - 11)Page References:Big BookStudy GuideB01Chapter 1 “Bills Story”1 - 16117 - 263 -26 - 294 - 1830 - 3232 - 3939 - 431925334153S.T.E.P. O.N.E:B02aChapter 2 There is a SolutionB02b9S T E P T W O:B03aB03bB03cB03dB03eChapter 3 - More about AlcoholismB04aChapter 4 - We Agnostics44 - 5763 - 71B05aB05bChapter 5 - How it Works58 - 6073 - 8283 - 8860 - 6489 - 99101 - 11264 - 67113 - 122123 - 134(Preliminary to Chapter Four(Scan Chapter Four - pgs 43-47)-2432405161STEP THREE:B05cB05dSTEP FOUR:B05eB05fB05gB05hB05iB05jxii67 - 68135 - 145147 - 15368 - 71155 - 164165 - 171

Chapter 6 - Into ActionB06aB06bB06cB06dB06eB06fB06g727272 - 73737373 - 6255 - 264265 - 27376275 - 2867676287 - 298299 - 30876 - 8383 - 84309 - 317319 - 32784 - 85329 - 33885 - 8686 - 88339 - 345347 - 359STEP SIX:B06hB06ISTEP SEVEN:B06jSTEP EIGHT:B06kB06lSTEP NINE:B06mB06n(“THE PROMISES”)STEP TEN:B06oSTEP ELEVEN:B06pB06qxiii

STEP TWELVE:B07aB07bB07cB07dB07eChapter 7 - Working with Others8989 - 9596 - 9898 – 100100 – 103361371379387395B08aChapter 8 - To Wives104 - 121403 - 410122 - 135411 - 421423 - 431136 -- 150433 - 441443 - 451453 - 458151 – 152152 – 161161 – 164459 - 468469 - 477479 - 487-369378386393402Chapter 9 - The Family AfterwardB09aB09bB10aB10bB10cChapter 10 - To EmployersB11aB11bB11cChapter 11 - A Vision for YouEPILOGUE: Comments on prayer and meditation.489STUDY GUIDE SECTION REFERENCE491 - 499*********xiv

SECTION A04:FORWORD TO STUDY GUIDE:"ALL GENERALIZATIONS ARE FALSE - INCLUDING THIS ONE"That is a principle, emphasized in this "Study Guide".COMMENTS:Disagreement with traditional religious beliefs need not block recovery fromalcoholism. There can be both value and limitations to some of those old ideas and theirbelief systems. However, the power of new knowledge is infinite. (see pg 68).Knowledge is power, and it provides additional freedom with the power ofincreased choice. There is always more to know. Any knowledge you do NOT possess is"a power greater than yourself".Seeking new knowledge is equivalent to seeking improved power to make choicesthat were not previously available due to personal ignorance. As you understand newknowledge you are free to use it. (see Steps 3 & 11).The ability of alcoholics to recover, from a seemingly hopeless state of mind andbody, was new knowledge for many, when the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" was firstwritten. That new knowledge provided alcoholics new power to make new choices. Withthose new choices they were able to enjoy a new freedom and new happiness. (see pgs83-84).There is no limit upon how much additional new knowledge (i.e.: “the power ofGod”) anyone can acquire. More new knowledge, hence more power is available toanyone, any place, at any time if it is sought. (see pgs 47 & 60(c)).By seeking more new knowledge, the seeker taps into an infinite source of power. (syn:“God” - see pg 59). That source is a power greater than yourself.That message reflects a basic view of the AA Big Book which will be found in thisStudy Guide. It has been prepared for the sole purpose of sharing what has been found inthe basic text with alcoholics who have problems with traditional religious interpretationsof the word "God" and what that word means to their mind. The book "AlcoholicsAnonymous" offers a path of recovery which extends beyond any requirement to conformto traditional religious ideas or practices.Many alcoholics find personal fulfillment within a traditional religious beliefsystem. Such readers may not be interested in seeking any additional improvements intheir life. (see pg 133). For them to read on could expose their minds to other ideas andnew knowledge which might disturb what they now believe about life.xv

Those who have found peace of mind and personalcontentment with their faith, are advised to stop reading here, and setthis book aside now.Those who have continued to read this Study Guide material will recognize thatmany alcoholics have problems with traditional religious interpretations of the word"God". Some of those problems are aggravated by exposure to militantly religious andhighly vocal AA members who insist "their way is the only way" to experience the “vitalspiritual experience” necessary for recovery. The basic text on recovery from alcoholismdoes not support that claim. (see pgs 27 & 95).Some religious groups of alcoholics insist it necessary to shave your head, ormeditate in a certain position. Others believe it is important to don a yellow robe andchant in order to find spiritual enlightenment. Large numbers of other alcoholicsemotionally insist that engaging in rituals, symbolic of being like a vampire and cannibal, isthe only valid way of "communion with their deity". How much intelligence is involved inany of the different belief systems becomes a matter of personal choice. (see pg 23).Though useful to many alcoholics, religious practices merely reflect personallychosen beliefs by individual alcoholics. Fortunately, none of those religious belief systemsare necessary requirements for recovery. If they were necessary, then no one could orwould recover without them. AA experience has indicated the only requirement forrecovery is a desire to stop drinking. (see pg 58).Principles of recovery, found in the AA Big Book, haveuniversal application.Those principles will work for anyone with a desire to stop drinking. There is nosecond requirement for membership. Similarly, there is no difference between analcoholic with a Buddhist hang-over or a Baptist hang-over. The AA program worksequally well in producing recovery for them both.Furthermore, the only assumption about "what God wants for the alcoholic" is:"We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free".(pg 133)Some individuals prefer having another human being (i.e.: “equal in the eyes ofGod”) tell them if and when they are happy, joyous or free. If so, a different approach torecovery may produce what they want most. This Study Guide emphasizes the spirit ofhuman equality as a concept which has been found consistently throughout the basic AAtext for recovery from alcoholism.In this regard, the reader may wish to consider the author of this Study Guide tobe like “a sponsor". Someone, like a “safari guide” which you have chosen. Someonewho is willing to point out what they have found in the basic text "AlcoholicsAnonymous". Someone willing to take the reader on a guided tour of the basic text, whileemphasizing points of interest from a personal perspective with a personal bias built intoxvi

all comments which get made. Such an approach can be anticipated by anyone whocontinues reading this material.Comments made by the author of this Study Guide are offered freely to alcoholicswho are interested in them. Others may prefer taking a different approach to the basic textfor recovery from alcoholism. The only important approach to sobriety for any alcoholicis the one that works best.It is suggested the reader utilize whatever new knowledge is helpful to them,regardless of how or where it is acquired. If some of those ideas, emotions or attitudeshave broader application in life than sobriety alone, then consider them a bonus benefit.They will be the power of new knowledge you will be free to use as you trudge the Roadof Happy Destiny.*****xvii

SECTION A05:“COMMENTS ON SPONSORSHIP”READ:1. Basic text of “Alcoholics Anonymous” from frontispiece through endof Chapter 11 on page 164.2. Appendices I - VI found in the back of the basic text.3. AA Pamphlet (P-15) - “Questions & Answers on Sponsorship”.COMMENTS:It is a common recommendation to newcomers in the AA Fellowship that they geta sponsor who will help them understand what is in the basic text for recovery. ThisStudy Guide was written with that consideration in mind. If the reader desires to use theauthor “as a sponsor” it is worthwhile to establish a clear understanding of what thatrelationship is. Specifically, in regard to interpreting the basic text for recovery that isfound in the first 164 pages of the AA Big Book.Where the reader chooses to use the author of this Study Guide“as a sponsor”, it is recommended that anything which cannot beconfirmed with that basic text be considered suspect of error.Be assured that the author has made every effort to reconcile personal commentswith the AA Big Book. While these and other outside views may provide value andusefulness, it is not recommended that any alcoholic bet their life and their freedom onsomething which they cannot confirm with AA’s basic text for successful recovery.Consider anyone you select as “a sponsor” to be like a “safari guide” you havechosen to lead you through territory which is new for you but familiar to them. In theprocess of your journey, you will inescapably be exposed to the personality of your guide,as part of the process. What they consider of significance or importance may not have thesame value to you.When reading material in this Study Guide, be aware that understanding thepersonality of the author is not essential to your own recovery from alcoholism. However,improving conscious understanding of the principles of recovery is required for a vitalspiritual experience. (Step 11).“We find that no one need have difficulty with thespirituality of the program. Willingness, honesty and openmindedness are the essentials of recovery. But these areindispensable.”(Appendix II)Because no one has all the answers in AA, individual members share theirexperience, strength and hope with each other. No individual member is qualified to speakfor AA as a whole. Therefore, when selecting “a sponsor” as “a safari guide” to leadxix

you through the unfamiliar territory of the basic text, the use of your own intelligence willbe helpful.Any observations offered in this Study Guide by the author are personal. Whilethey have worked well, it should be recognized that other views exist. The objective is tohelp the reader improve ways to become increasingly “happy, joyous and free”. (pg 133).This occurs by enlarging a conscious understanding of “a power greater than yourself” aspresented in AA’s basic text for recovery.Different individuals seek different approaches to obtaining the fulfillment of theirdesires. (i.e.: “the answers to their prayers”). No one else really knows what they wantfor themselves. Because this author failed “mind reading” the alcoholic reader must makea decision concerning what new knowledge they are seeking for themselves. Part of thatdesire (syn: “prayer”) may be answered from comments provided in this Study Guide. Ifso, utilize those ideas freely, and leave what is not suitable for someone who may findthem helpful.Be aware that some alcoholics are, or believe they are, unableto make decisions, in their own best interests. If so, they may requirea conservator, caretaker or “a keeper” to protect them fromthemselves. AA places emphasis upon human equality, particularly inthe eyes of a creator. For that reason, participation in AA may not betheir best personal approach to recovery. Established AA membersare not necessarily qualified to run the lives of other alcoholics.Beyond personal success with their own recovery, there is room fordoubt concerning their expertise in other areas of living.In AA, most established members have admitted their inability to successfullymanage their own lives. Most also believe that, in the past, some “power, greater thanthemselves”, had been lacking. (see pg 45). How they have tapped a source of power thathas restored them to sanity may vary. The value of their choice will vary according towhomever renders judgment on their mental condition. (pg 23). Therefore the readerwould be wise to utilize their own intelligence and exercise caution when making aselection of someone to provide them with “guidance”.Should an alcoholic desire “a sponsor” to run their life for them, they wouldrequire a “non-revocable Power of Attorney” in order to be effective. Remember thatany alcoholic is always free to rebel, and they would likely try to outsmart “the sponsor”any time they disagreed.Nonetheless, within AA, there still exists an ample supply of other alcoholics whoare willing to run your life for you. The reason is that it is to their own personal bestinterests to share the secrets of their own success. The reader should be aware that anyhappiness, joy or freedom will be “their version” rather than your own. (see pg 133).Therefore, caution is recommended.Because no two alcoholics are precisely the same, any “secondhand version of happiness” will ultimately conflict with a unique andxx

individual personality. Therefore, it is recommended to place priorityimportance upon “principles before personalities”.Professional help for alcoholics is available from the fields of medicine, religionand psychiatry. Each professional is a specialist who has been trained in their specificdiscipline. There is no challenge to their expertise or competence in their chosen field ofstudy. However, recognize that alcoholism impacts every major area in the life of thealcoholic. Therefore, no single discipline embraces the entire problem.Because of their limited effectiveness, the professional community has not beenable to offer significant demonstrations of success in producing recoveries fromalcoholism. Those which do usually have developed close connections with or relianceupon the AA program of recovery. However, the AA program is not allied nor affiliatedwith any of them. (AA

free”. This will sometimes disturb those who find “their own personal belief system” is being challenged by what he says. During any such meeting to Study the AA Big Book, you would expect to encounter a wide variety of viewpoints on the portions und