This week’s reading assignment:
Yellow workbook pages 131-136 OR BRB pages 227 – 234
Red Book pages 112-114, the “Making Amends” section
Red Book pages 641-643, “A Discussion About Step Eight and Step Nine”
Recommended weekly reading:
“The Laundry List” or “The Problem,” “The Solution,” and “The Promises” on pages 587-591 of the Red Book or in the first several pages of the yellow workbook;
“The Twelve Steps” on pages 91-92 of the Red Book (also on pages 1-2 of the workbook); and
“The Twelve Traditions” on page 592 of the Red Book
Tradition Six (the tradition for the month of June) in depth starting on page 518 of the BRB
Suggested supplemental reading:
Melody Beattie, “Codependents Guide to the Twelve Steps,” the Step Eight chapter, pages 116-123 of the 1990 edition, through the end of the “Making Our Lists” section. See ACAWSO’s Literature Policy: “It has always been accepted that ACA should remain eclectic in choosing literature. That is, ACA meetings may draw from various sources without censorship.”
This week’s step study questions are excerpted from the Step Eight worksheet on http://12-steps-recovery.com in conjunction with the yellow workbook:
- Make a list of all those that you have possibly harmed by practicing selfish, manipulative, or destructive behaviors, or otherwise acting out your character defects. List the effects on those people as individuals, and on your relationship. (Moderator’s note: The yellow workbook states, “We show self-forgiveness when we place our name at the top of the Eighth Step list.”)
- How have you hurt yourself by practicing selfish, manipulative, or destructive behaviors, or otherwise acting out your character defects?
- What important relationships did you destroy or damage by practicing selfish, manipulative, or destructive behaviors, or otherwise acting out your character defects?
- How much time and energy have you lost by
practicing selfish, manipulative, or destructive behaviors, or otherwise acting
out your character defects? What do you think you might have done or become
were it not for those behaviors and character defects?
Deep Dive questions:
A. How can I move beyond the justifications for the harms I caused such as resentments, fears, and blame?
B. Are there any names that I didn’t add to my previous 8th Step lists?
C. Why am I not willing to make amends with some people, principles, or institutions? Does this stem from fear, resentment, or my inability to see the harm that I caused? Can I add the names now?
D. In making amends, am I still trying to please, control, or punish?
© Diana Lea’s AA Powerful 12 Step Workbook