Audio Clip of Michael M. Discussion

Link to read the Forward to The Third & Fourth Editions

Forward To Third & Fourth Additions - Michael M

Feb 1, 2023, Forward To Third & Fourth Additions - Discussion Leader is Michael M.

Snippets from participants (summarized unless " " are noted)

• I am new to secular. What I see in the Third & Fourth Forwards is growth.  For the Big Book, I just rewrite the words that are unacceptable for me.
• I've done alot of Big Book studies during my sobriety. The wording doesn't matter to me.  The book is an important part of my sobriety and gives me a solid foundation.  The wording in the Forwards that the original meetings were actually secular.  I found that fascinating.  And, it was prophetic that it would be done online in the future.  The Big Book is a core part of my sobriety.
• The prefaces and forwards don't talk about god. They talk about the different faiths that people have when they come in. At the end of Third Edition they talk about each day somewhere in the world, recovery begins when one alcoholic talks with another alcoholic sharing experience, strength and hope. It says that recovery begins when we talk to each other. It doesn't say that recovery begins when we find a higher power. Even when we get sober. It's that one alcoholic talking to another sharing our experience and relating to each other. Sometimes to the point saying, "if this guy can sober, I can too". Just seeing ourselves in each other and at that point being able to walk with each other through this process.  That has carried me.
• The wording of the Big Book. Doesn't bother me.  All the god stuff does.  But I knew AA was my last chance.  I had enough desperation to do the steps.  I got through them is with the fellowship as a whole.  I'm glad we are doing this because I'm tired of listening to people trash the Big Book without even reading it. 
• Looking back at 30 years of sobriety, I realized I didn't fit with the god centric. This whole secular  interpertation  of secular AA. And try to find out where we fit into it.  Secular approaches to recovery are important.
• I haven't been able to get into the history of the Big Book but that was interesting hearing abouth the archivist.  Things that have been helpful to me reading the Big Book can be hard, but because it's hard doesn't mean it's now worth doing.  We need to get the information in for a variety of ways.  I like to listen to the audio version.
• "The prophetic nature of the forward to the 4th edition, where "modem to modem" is just as much a legitimate AA meeting as "face to face" is . Also, from the forward to the 3rd edition, that the core of the program is one alcoholics working with an, that is where recovery begins;"
• "I found it interesting that the chapters ahead lay the groundwork for the steps and get us ready for changes in our life."
• I have a totally different outlook on the Big Book now.  It's just the way they had to write it during that time.  The meaning doesn't change, just the way I read the Big Book has changed.  None of the god stuff bothers me in the book anymore. 
• "There really is so much incredible that can be said for one alcoholic communicating with another alcoholic and using technology (modem to modem) to facilitate that as the next best thing. Heck, in covid it's safer and with gas prices it's cheaper especially hitting multiple meetings each day. I still prefer in-person meetings for many reasons, but online is a terrific alternative, IMHO. "Do the next best thing", I've been told hundreds of times in AA. "