Al’s Evolution in Practicing the Twelve Steps

In watching someone’s recovery over a long period of time, it becomes clearer and clearer that the nature of recovery can be progressive.

Our perspective changes as time passes and we gain more and more experience in recovery and with the Twelve Steps. The result is that our practice of the steps changes and progresses. We don’t work the same program, because we are not the same person, nor are our life situations the same.

That’s the vantage point that our friend Al brings to this topic that he introduced at a Progressive Recovery online meeting.

Just last year, Al provided two separate content pieces. The first is a good look at how Al’s approach to inventory in the 4th Step has grown over time.

The second was an excellent interview about emotional sobriety. It includes this wonderful contemplation from the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas.

“If you bring forth what is inside you, what you bring forth will save you.

If you do not bring forth what is inside you,

what you do not bring forth will destroy you.”

With that context, what follows is Al’s thoughtful discussion of how a progressive approach brings us to different ways of “cracking the steps.” All in the service of increasing our conscious contact, deepening our growth and understanding, and through that, providing greater benefit to others and in our own lives.

Note: Al’s sharing concludes with a several minute meditation, so please continue through some silence.