A Skeptic's Guide to the 12 Steps

Front Cover
Hazelden Publishing, Oct 1, 1990 - Self-Help - 252 pages
How many of us have felt like Phillip Z? He has a staunch belief in the Twelve Steps, yet struggles with the concept of a Higher Power.

In A Skeptic's Guide to the 12 Steps, the author investigates each of the Twelve Steps to gain a deeper understanding of a Higher Power. He examines what may seem like "unsettling" concepts to us including surrendering one's will and life to God, and he encourages us to understand the spiritual journey of recovery despite our skepticism.

 

Contents

Making Amends
153
Making Daily Inventories and Amends
171
Improving Conscious Contact
189
Practicing the Principles
205
Alcoholics Anonymous
221
Select Bibliography
231
Copyright

Common terms and phrases

About the author (1990)

Phillip Z. is convinced that the 'Twelve Steps work - he's witnessed the results in his own life - but what exactly does a Higher Power have to do with maintaining abstinence?

While the author works an O.A. program, A Skeptic's Guide to the Twelve Steps is for any recovering person who questions the traditional Judeo-Christian concept of God, or anyone seeking to enrich his or her own spirituality.

In sharing his story of coming to believe in a Power greater than himself, the author, a psychologist, thoroughly investigates each of the Twelve Steps, combining solid Alcoholics Anonymous and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions guidance with enlightenment from non-traditional sources, such as Jungian and transpersonal psychology, and Buddhism. Gradually, through an uncompromising intellectual and emotional self examination, and along with the support of a wise and seasoned sponsor, he comes to realise the source of spirituality within himself.

Bibliographic information