Alcoholism Support Group
Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.
Many of you are active in AA. I understand much of the program as I know several folks who participate and swear by it. I also understand the underpinnings and concepts of a Higher Power.
I also read the one thread where the poster is feraful of attending a first meeting, and another poster expressed a reluctance because of reservations about religion. I threw my .02 in about the possibility of The Universe as a Higher Power.
I'm a very avid follower of nearly everything science-related, but particulary astronomy, comsology, physics, astrophysics, quantum mechanics, string theory, M-theory, etc... I admit I don't have the math to go much beyond a layman's understanding, however I've always felt religion and particularly physics/quantum mechanics are different paths to the same underlying truth.
A while back on Morgan Freeman's Through the Wormhole there was a segment featuring a neurosurgeon's experience. A couple of months ago I found a link to an article by the very same doctor on RealClearScience. It's quite astonishing and I'd like to share.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/10/07/proof-of-heaven-a-doctor-s-experience-with-the-afterlife.html
I also read the one thread where the poster is feraful of attending a first meeting, and another poster expressed a reluctance because of reservations about religion. I threw my .02 in about the possibility of The Universe as a Higher Power.
I'm a very avid follower of nearly everything science-related, but particulary astronomy, comsology, physics, astrophysics, quantum mechanics, string theory, M-theory, etc... I admit I don't have the math to go much beyond a layman's understanding, however I've always felt religion and particularly physics/quantum mechanics are different paths to the same underlying truth.
A while back on Morgan Freeman's Through the Wormhole there was a segment featuring a neurosurgeon's experience. A couple of months ago I found a link to an article by the very same doctor on RealClearScience. It's quite astonishing and I'd like to share.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/10/07/proof-of-heaven-a-doctor-s-experience-with-the-afterlife.html
I too went through these mental hoops, searching for the higher power. Then I got it, the secret is to lower oneself, and everything else becomes a higher power. And the toast tastes wonderful
Whatever works is a good thing.
My belief is We are The Universe and The Universe is Us. The two, on the most fundamental level, are in fact one. When viewed in its entirety (which of course isn't possible and beyond our current abilities and comprehension and always will be), it's the Higher Power. When viewed through the limitations of our very limitted perception, we are so very small, isolated, separate and apart.
As the doctor touched on, when we get down to the quantum level, it's an incredible world that seems almost non-sensical. But it does in fact work and it's solid science.
Einstein labeled quantum entanglement as spooky action at a distance. He was mocking it and labeled it as spooky, implying it seemed more supernatural than sound science.
Of course this is only my opinion. My belief.
One of the things AA taught me in recovery was to be open minded. Really important - it was a primary key to finding God (as I understand Him).
In active alcoholism I was not "awake" and stuck in concepts, delusions and beliefs that were destroying all that was good. Fear kept me imprisoned and said "you dare not look beyond."
I was offered a spiritual solution which saved my life because I was willing to go through the necessary psychic upheavals and emotional changes which would constitute a spiritual awakening.
I grow in faith and it is a wonderful journey as I rely more on God and less on myself, that consequently gives me some necessary humility.
MY INABILITY TO BELIEVE IN RELIGION, HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT MY SPIRIT FEELS. THE DISEASE OF ALCOHOLISM IS A SPIRITUAL ONE, YOU CAN NOT INTELLECTUALIZE IT.
Thanks for the good common sense connecicut. I could not out think my disease or my recovery. The solution to my problem is simple.
It's all about one alcoholic sharing with another.
When I sincerely took such a position, all sorts of remarkable things began to follow.
Tex's point wasn't lost on me. It's quite profound. ;-)
Humility reminds us it's a fool's errand to presume to know the mind of God. However, for me at least, this does not preclude one from trying to glean even the tiniest part of that Truth.
As I said, finding what works for each individual is what's really important.
While I am a believing Christian, I have had to 'alter' some of the tenets to understand my God. The biggest being that ALL will get to heaven, and my idea of heaven is just all my 'particles' being one with all and somehow God works that all for good. (I had to do this as I was agnostic for over 20 years). This is a very panthesitic view, but works well for me.
The key, as other have said is to know that we are just a speck in the scheme of things, but as specks, we do have a heck of a lot more positive power/influence while sober.
Happy sober day to all.