the spelling is all wrong on what I have posted on step 4 I ment to say, how have people got on with step 4 and whats the best way of doing it?

Hey there. Yes I am presently working on step four. With some one's help, I know exactly what to do.

Step 4. made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Basically we make a list of ppl who had affected us good and bad.

We shall start with grudges ok.
Take a paper write down the persons name then next to it what they did to you and how it made you feel. You continue this until you have listed everyone.

Next take another paper write we call this list grateful. Again write down person name then what did they do to make you feel good, how this affected you.

Once you have compiled this list. You are on your way.

If you want to know more in depth. Drop me a line or chat okay.

There are worksheets too. They help make it easier to understand. The link is www.upperroomcomm.com/bbsguide/

Thank you Pawn, I just added that to my favorites.

I believe it's pages 68-69 in the BB that explain the right way to do your 4th step. All I want to add is that you write it one column at a time, don't go across the whole page line by line.

I'm working step 4 too. I started IMMEDIATELY after my step 3 prayer.

Don't over-complicate it. Use the big book as your template. Make sure you do this with your sponsor and get them to give you the worksheets. It's NOT a life story, it's just lists of names and boxes to tick and a few words of explanation - maybe 12 words or so per resentment/sexual conduct & harm to others/fears. My sponsor gave me prompt lists to help me too. It is really pretty straight forward. Don't make a massive deal of this. You could easily complete the task in a week if you dedicate a couple of hours a day to it.

The lifestory bit comes in in step 5 which you should do with your sponsor immediately at the end of step 4.

Listen to what Joe and charlie have to say on the matter too: http://silkworth.net/freestuff.html

Don't rely on the 12x12 as your only aid. The big book is more useful in my opinion. In all likelihood step 4 will bring up emotional stuff for so don't stay in that space too long - get it done and move on. Get down everything that comes to mind - if you happen to miss stuff, don't worry you can go back and do another step 4 at a later date when you need to.

That is what I have been told by a good sponsor and basically what i am experiencing right now. I'd love to hear other views on the matter though and will watch this topic.

stick with the bb write the columns down not across there are 3 prayers that should be said. on page 67 is where our 8th step list comes from. Also do not dissertate or explain in any of the columns. keep everything to the least amount of words as possible. This is where most ppl end up writing novels that is not required nor helpful. Since what we are trying to have removed is the obsession and since no one knows when it will next occur we keep the 4th step as simple as possible. in column 2 put in the least amount of words what happened in my exp I use just the words from column 3 to describe how column 2 affected me. The first prayer is on page 67 top paragrapgh I also only use the words from page 67 to describe my part for the 8th step list from that page. remeber the fear list is on page 68 there is a prayer from that page that should be said if you want to be free from fear. and finally the sex list and the new sex ideal that we should be working towards. thats page 69 there is a prayer on that page also. Good luck on this journey in my exp god begins to remove what blocks us off from him during these actions.I came here for a permanent solution not a temporary one so this step should be done imediatley after saying the prayer with your sponsor or spiritual advisor this direction is here "Though our decision was vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once followed by a strenuous effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in ourselves which had been blocking us. Our liquor was but a symptom. So we had to get down to causes and conditions.

From my experience, I struggled at 1st then 1 day I turned to page 65 of the bb without even realizing what I was doing, which I have read many many times and finally the light switch came on. Started writing. 1 hour later it was completed & it was a closed chapter. Try to keep it simple, and ask for a little help from your HP.

The Big Book is the best tool for Step4.

I did step 4 10 years ago with the guidance of an old timer who vouched for the BB

The important thing is to do it vertically one column after another. The nature of my wrongs were a revelation to me. It still helps me today when I do my step 10 on a daily basis. I readily recognize the nature of my wrongs - self seeking, etc. when I have a conflict with someone.

You may want to do an inventory of your qualities as well as your character defects.

Honesty is of utmost importance.

Some people attend step 4 workshops.

I was advised not to take more than three weeks. Sitting on an inventory can be harmful. So we get on with steps 5.

Be blessed