Hello,
And welcome.
Step 12.
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps,
We tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Let's start by getting grounded,
Settled,
Focused.
Find a comfortable position.
It helps to be upright and find some balance,
Noticing if you are balanced right to left and front to back,
Just becoming very grounded in your seat.
Keep your back straight and your front soft.
You are in a relaxed position,
Letting your face and your whole body soften.
Let your upper eyelids rest on your lower eyelids,
Your lips gently touching or apart with your jaw relaxed.
Feel your whole body be at ease,
With hands resting on your lap or thighs.
The palms may be in a receptive position facing up,
Or the palms may be facing down,
Which is more grounded.
Feel your stability,
Your muscles becoming heavy.
Breathing allows your body to teach your mind to be relaxed and open.
Bring your attention to your breath.
Take a deep,
Slow breath in through your nose,
Release slowly through your mouth.
Once more,
Take a deep,
Slow breath in through your nose,
Release slowly through your mouth.
Remember in meditation,
Your breath doesn't have to be in any special way,
Doesn't need to be long,
Doesn't need to be short,
It just needs to be you.
When your mind wanders,
Just be aware of it and gently,
Without blame,
Without judgment,
Bring your awareness back to your breath.
Remember that pattern as you become relaxed and present.
If your mind wanders,
Focus again on your breath.
Now,
Closing your mouth,
Let your breathing return to its natural rhythm.
Each person's experience of a spiritual awakening will be different.
It can happen suddenly,
Often accompanied by unusual sensations,
Or it can happen more slowly over months and years as you apply the 12 steps in your life.
It may be difficult for you as a person in recovery to see your progress.
Progress is the goal,
Not perfection.
Your whole attitude and outlook upon life changes.
Let's take a deep,
Slow breath,
Hold,
Release slowly.
If your mind has wandered during this meditation,
Just return gently to the awareness of your breath without judgment.
Consider this progress in your own life.
I experience more positive thinking.
I experience greater inner peace.
My day is filled with less ego,
Less fear,
More love.
I am more optimistic.
I have greater harmony in my relationships.
I have compassion for others.
I accept responsibility.
To support and encourage your progress,
You may use a meta-affirmation.
For example,
You could repeat several times each day affirmations such as these.
Today I choose to be compassionate with myself and others.
Today I will release my fear.
Today I am willing to change.
Take a deep,
Slow breath,
Hold,
Release slowly.
If your mind has wandered during this meditation,
Just return gently to the awareness of your breath without judgment.
As your recovery progresses,
You will experience yourself getting better.
One of the best ways to express gratitude for your recovery is to carry the message to others by sharing your experience,
Strength,
And hope.
All people in recovery can have bad days,
And sometimes hearing hope from a newcomer can reset attitudes and help them get through a tough day.
You may say these praises silently to yourself each day.
Today I will willingly accept the responsibility to be of service.
Today I will support my group.
Today I will practice anonymity.
These commitments to being of service,
And to help carry the hope of recovery as well as living in a healthy balance with others and yourself,
Is part of your recovery process.
As your life and relationships improve,
You can throughout each day ask for the awareness of the situations where using one of these steps can help.
For example,
May I be aware about how I treat others.
May I learn to forgive and apologize when wrong.
May I be courteous and kind to all.
May I express gratitude for the people in my life.
May I accept that not everyone is like me and they are valuable for just being who they are.
Today may I understand and maintain healthy boundaries.
The steps of recovery are an integrated approach to living a happy,
Joyous life,
Provided they are applied to the best of your ability every day.
As we come to the end of this meditation,
Slowly move and stretch your muscles.
Gently wiggle fingers and toes.
Bring your attention back to the room,
To your breathing,
Back into the present moment,
And when ready,
Slowly open your eyes.
Thank you for your kind attention.
I wish you many blessings along with the willingness to be of service and to carry the message of recovery to those who may need it,
One day at a time.
