Thoughts About a Higher Power.
One of the foundations of AA, is that the individual must be aware of, or use the help of their higher power. This is interpreted as G-d, as you(we) understand Him, or this concept, so it is not a particularlistic G-d of this or that religion. My higher power is not necessarily what yours is, although there are similarities.
In Judaism, we have a more fixed idea of HaShem. At least I did. He is Up-There, He is to be feared (Y'ira) or Respected. We say, KavYochel when referring to G-d doing something in Human terms, Kavyochel meaning, we are using this term metaphorically, we cannot even begin to fathom Ha-Shem's ways and means of doing things. even 'things' is Kavyochel, so we can understand on our terms.
But does this help in situations which affect a happy life. One of the things AA tried to build for members is that life can be a happy one, (even) without booze. If an AA member is continually in a depression, it definetly will affect their sobriety. Maybe not everyone but most people after a while would say, this AA is OK at first but things are even worse than before, I am going to therefore go ahead and control my drinking.
Of course, when things are going well for a person, there is little issue. It is when there is extra stress, when situations of either other people who have power over you, say ina work environment, or circumstances, cause you to be depressed this is not idea.
I feel that at these times, an AA or really anyone for that matter, should connect and be with his higher power. Imagine that you just go to a nice beach for an hour or more.Or to a beautiful lake or forest. Your mind will forget about the depression for a few moments, as it takes in the natural beauty and different sights and smells, and reality, that you left back at the office. I recently went to Bear Mountain in New York, and had this experience.
I want my higher power to be like that, to have this kind of affect on me. I was glancing at a book of Psalms this morning, and I noticed something interesting. There is a well known verse that is also a famous song in Hebrew it is: "Hinei Ma Tov UMah Naiim, Shevet Achim Gam Yachad" this is translated as, "Behold ! How Good and Pleasant, the tribes(brothers) are sitting down together in harmony" (my loose translation). I saw a Rashi in the Tehillim (Psalms) edition which I have the good fortune to own, Rashi the most famous Torah commentator says on this verse: When G-d sat in the Beis HaBechira, the Temple (Second?), with Yisrael, who are called Brothers and friends, and He Will be also with them. (yes there is a grammatical thing there. first it says KiSheyashav, when He sat. Then he says, ViYihiyeh, and he will be with them. I groove on it anyway as I see it as a past and future thing).
Wow. So my higher power is with me now! Sitting with me at this very moment while I have depressing thoughts about my situation! I don't have to sink into depression. I can sit with my higher power and all my Brothers in recovery.
Just to add the other commentators, the Metzudas Zev, asks why the word MA is used there. (Why MA Tov, Ma Naim). I don't see the answer there but he says that Bnei Yisroel were brothers because of the Achva the solidarity amongst them. Achava means I think Friendship, fellowship maybe.and then Gam Yachad, means that there will be one nation not 2 again.
So I really like the Rashi on this one. Perhaps there are similar sources we have that can help bridge understanding in AA?
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5 comments:
New understandings of HP are so great. Congratulations on your break through.
Thanks. I am leading a small group tonight. I am nervous, but not that much.
I have never done this before.
Before, I would have been super nervous, and would have taken a double scotch bef. like when speaking in public.
Now, I am looking forward to some fun.
I do get a little nervous only in the sense that if there is some
bitching bet. people, then I will blame myself, but I will stay alert and positive.
(we have in this little group, parents with their daughter, it can get a little tense at times) ( it is an awesome responsibility I am taking on).
FALSE PROPHET
It is important to note that Bill Wilson's faith system was not based on Jesus Christ and Him crucified; nor is there any mention of Jesus Christ being the Savior from his sin. Both he and Bob Smith (co-founder of AA) embraced and promoted a variety of spiritual experiences, which included practicing spiritualism and conversing with the dead (which the Bible forbids) and being heavily involved in séances. Wilson also acted as a medium or channeler. It was while involved in these types of religious experiences, not Biblical Christianity, that Wilson developed his Twelve Steps (Pass It On, pp 156, 198, 275, 278).
PEACE BE WITH YOU
MICKY
Micky, I don't have any interest in your religion, in leaving my religious association for yours.
You are welcome to post but continuing dogma is not welcome.
I get that you don't like AA but please be open minded enough to realize that it helps me, and has helped many people world wide to get and stay sober.
I personally don't see overall in the meetings I go to, very much relaping in AA. In 2+ months of many meetings I have heard of 3-4 cases some in the past.
In NA they seem to have more relapsing but perhaps bec. the people tend to be younger.
So overall, I do not agree to trash an organization that has helped the people on this planet so much as AA has.
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