Accessories

Intriguing Perspective
An intriguing perspective on 12 Step programs. Having written a book about walking that fine line between compassion and codependence, I found this book insightful and inspiring. - Rita Schiano, author of Sweet Bitter Love

Combining Buddhism with A.A. and the Twelve Steps: Some Observations and History
Nobody in today's A.A. should assume he is entitled to throw rocks at Christianity or atheism or Buddhism.A New Way Out: New Path - Familiar Road Signs - Our Creator's Guidance. A.A. was a Christian Fellowship when it began.The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous. It required acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. It required belief in God.The Golden Text of A.A.: God, the Pioneers, and Real Spirituality. And it emphasized Bible study, prayer meetings, and revelation from the Creator as well as reading Christian literature.The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible (Bridge Builders Edition).
But things have changed--dramatically. A.A. today is not Christian, nor is it a Christian Fellowship. Nor can its book or its steps or its fellowship be changed to say they embrace atheism, Buddhism, Roman Catholicism, humanism, or the unbelief and doubt of some members. It's there with all its universalism and secularism, and it's there to stay. And it calls for tolerance and love, not criticism and rejection.
However, it also calls for choice. He who puts Jesus in the Twelve Steps; he who thinks there is a "higher power" that is a light bulb; and he who worships some other deity is not speaking of the A.A. founded and developed by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron.Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous: His Excellent Training in the Good Book As a Youngster in Vermont, and The Conversion of Bill W.: More on the Creator's Role in Early A.A.. As a matter of fact, when Bill was working with the Jesuit priest Father John Ford and writing Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Ford suggested that there should be sanctions against those who didn't fit the A.A. mold. Bill Wilson rejected the suggestion; and, in correspondence with Ford that I personally saw and copied, Bill said he didn't much care what the Budhhists did with the Twelve Steps.New Light on Alcoholism: God, Sam Shoemaker, and A.A. (2d ed.).
I really don't know any better answer, other than that embraced in this kind of tolerance. If someone wants to use prayer beads or chants, they're free to do so in the present Twelve Step fellowships. But I believe all, including this author, should be acquainted with the history of A.A., report it, respect it, and then choose the religious or nonreligious route he or she will pursue today.Introduction to the Sources and Founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. I am speaking as a recovered Christian member of A.A. who has lasted twenty-two years while counting Bill Wilson's secretary Nell Wing (a Bhuddist)as a good friend. Also counting as my very close AA friend, "Yosemite Tom," who set up our great campouts and then pitched his tent in the middle and did Buddhist chants all night long. Also counting as my good friend Seymour W., a devout Jew, who never failed to mention God and his own prayer life in our regular Wednesday meeting and elsewhere. None of these things offended me or converted me to Buddhism or Judaism. They let me see how broad the road is today.

excellent perspective for the 12x12
This was an excellent read and I would recommend it to anybody involved with a 12 step program. Taken with the 12x12 it provides some perspective of the steps, discussing them in more contemporary language. I am not a Buddhist and have no wish to become one, but find there is quite a bit of useful content in the book for anyone in recovery. I've been at this for 25 years now, with countless big book and step studies over the years. I am not a joiner or in the market for a religion, but this book does provide intriguing references to concepts in Buddhism worth pursuing. You don't necessarily need the brand name to make use of something that works. I think one aspect of particular use will be working with a concept of a higher power outside the structure of the Christian traditions. I have to disagree with the earlier reviewer - the author does address his concept of a higher power.

Makes perfect sense to me.
As I've been going through the Steps, I have my sponsor, AA support, and many books as my guides. When I compare the steps in each of the books (Big Book, 12x12, etc.) to One Breathe at a Time, this is the one that speaks in a language I can understand, that helped me clarify my "higher power." If you have leanings toward Eastern philosophy and are somewhat put off by the Christian focus of AA, then give this one a shot. In any case, it can't hurt to have another perspective, and this guy's been through it.

Marvelous, helpful book
Marvelous book. Especially of help to anyone in any Twelve Step program that struggles with the idea of GOD as their Higher Power. This book gave me a lot of insight into other ways of understanding the twelve steps. You don't need to know a lot about Buddhism to get a lot out of this book. And if you know just a little about Buddhism, your knowledge and your practice will strengthen. Highly recommended.