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Step 6 Entirely Willing

I must ask God for help,“there often seems no way of entirely getting rid of self without His aid” (Pg.62,¶2,L18). 'ask God' always means; Prayer to our Higher Power.

After analyzing my selfishness in steps 4 & 5, I realize how problems come from me, not at me! But I may still find my character defects useful because they get instant results whenever my pride or ambition are threatened. Old habits are tough to break, so I become very aware of my selfishness, dishonesty and fearful behaviour.

The Sixth Step is a few short questions I must honestly answer for myself;

  1. With my new awareness am I willing and, “ready to let God remove from me all the things which I have admitted are objectionable?” (Pg.76,¶1,L3)
  2. Can I let, “Him take them all, every one?” (Pg.76,¶1,L5)
  3. a) Do I “still cling to something I will not let go”, b) Will I, “ask God to help me be willing?” (Pg.76,¶1,L6)

Even if I'm not, (yet), entirely ready to offer up my most enjoyable character defects, I ask for God's help to become willing. I simply follow God's will by reciting the 7th Step prayer, while staying alert to my shortcomings.

Only my 1st Step surrender is 100%, I’ll always be powerless over alcohol/drugs. So staying away from that 1st drink/drug is progress, but my real goal is a psychic change in my personality traits. I begin by acting ‘as if’ I’m Spiritually awake, “I claim Spiritual progress rather than Spiritual perfection” (Pg.60,¶1,L10).

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Step 6 Entirely Willing

“Any life run on self-will can hardly be a success …always in collision with something or somebody” (BBp60).

I struggle through life as if I’m playing musical chairs. But even with gracious motives, I must seek God’s guidance to become effective.

“All experience is subjective, we create worlds, Stop to find truth” (Tao-Interpretation).

My vantage point is always relative, because my 5 senses filter to interpret objects. Inner Truth is only glimpsed without selfish interaction, neutrality will reveal God’s Truth.

““Seek a true self-estimate, for we think we can do more or less than we really can” (Seneca).

Pride and fear will distort self-assessment until my ego gets punctured, then I have no choice. I need the humility to let go, so God’s will can unlock my True potential.

“Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

I must not be hurried, angry, or resentful, so if I save time by skipping prayer, I spend more time sick and troubled. I must guard my spiritual integrity by praising God's Grace.

This key indicates where to find the quotes in our Big Book. (The earlier editions have less roman numeral pages), we use the 4th edition, and include page numbers for the Abridged Large Print Edition, B-24;

  • (Pg.xi) = 4th Ed. page #
  • (¶1) = 1st complete Paragraph
  • (Top¶) = half Paragraph continued
  • (L5) = 5th Line from page top
  • (LP.xi) = Large Print Ed. page #
  • Bold Green italic = Prayer or Insight
  • Bold Red Italic = Quote or paraphrase