The Spiritual Toolkit Metaphor

I heard someone share the other day that they realized they needed to get back to using one of AAs important “spiritual tools”.

What tool was that? Brace yourself.

She is going to go back to baking cookies for her group like she did when she was a newcomer. She is hoping that maybe THAT would get her out of whatever “funk” she was currently experiencing.

I am not kidding you. That is what she said.

OK, now I know many of you are not surprised. You’ve all heard bullshit in AA meetings before – maybe some of you are like me and have even been guilty of shooting some of it out yourself – but I hope many of us don’t go past a mild smirk. It would be hysterical if it weren’t so downright deadly and sickening to my stomach.

Apparently Betty Crocker can be a power greater than ourselves? or how about the Pillsbury Doughboy for a sponsor? Personally I think that the Stay Puft Marshmallow man would have much more power to offer than either of those two – especially the Ghostbuster’s version.

In the book, The Big Book, “Alcoholics Anonymous”, the spiritual tools are offered from two perspectives by the co-authors.

One is from the prospective of the suffering prospect being “Twelve Stepped” – the other from the prospective of the the recovered prospector who is twelve stepping a still sick and suffering alcoholic:

The Prospect: “When, therefore, we were approached by those in whom the problem had been solved, there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet.” (25:1)

The Prospector: “Never talk down to an alcoholic from any moral or spiritual hilltop; simply lay out the kit of spiritual tools for his inspection. Show him how they worked with you. Offer him friendship and fellowship. Tell him that if he wants to get well you will do anything to help.”(95:0)

These are the only two places in the book where the metaphoric “spiritual tools” are made mention and the tools are very well identified. (Twelve Steps)

Spiritual tools do not include “Lots o’ meetings”, cookies, coffee or anything else other than what is included in our Primary Purpose.

“Each Alcoholics Anonymous group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose — that of carrying its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.” (Tradition Five)

If YOUR message differs – if YOUR message includes baking or coffee making tips or “Go to meetings and don’t drink” or “get a sponsor and get a home group“ or a 500 piece “toolkit” like the ones they sell in Sears – - or anything other than the AA message – then please keep it to yourself.

Even if it works for YOU – because we real alkies are dying out here listening to what works for YOU and you have nothing to offer us in the way of a solution to alcoholism. I have men out there going to meetings who are hearing an entirely different solution that that crap and we don’t need you killing them with your easier-softer means. Get my drift? PLEASE!

Peace,

Danny S