Sought through Prayer and Meditation to Improve our Conscious Contact With God, as We Understood Him, Praying Only for Knowledge of His Will for Us and the Power to Carry That Out
Paths to Recovery page 110
Although referred to as a second maintenance step-- step 11 introduces new action-the action is seeking, through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God. What is prayer? What is meditation? An important note to make is this is step guides us by the words prayer and meditation not prayer or meditation. To some prayer means a religious act kneeling down putting your hands together others see prayer is talking to God meditation is listening to God.
My Share
When I first entered program many years ago, I was advised that the Steps should be worked in order . Upon reading them and meditating upon them, I felt overwhelmed and unable to take even the first step. Step 11 was straightforward and a positive action that I could take. I could pray for Gods will as long as I was assured I would get the power to carry it out. This step offered that assurance. I also knew how to meditate so that between step 11 and the slogans, I began this wonderful journey of recovery. Eventually I was able to begin at the beginning of step one and move slowly through each and every step and gain the benefit of each. Step 11 was my gateway.
Step 11 questions
Am I willing to try prayer or meditation today?
How am I willing to be guided today?
How have I been mistaken about Gods will? How has my self-will caused me difficulties?
What can I do to add prayer and meditation to my life today?
How do I define the difference between prayer and meditation?
What personal spiritual experience and I draw on to help me improve my conscious contact with a higher power?
grateful2be said
Jan 11, 2015
I do some form of prayer and meditation daily although I really do pray all day and listen all day. Sometimes, I miss what my HP might be guiding me to do and yet, there is generally an underlying peace most of the time for me even if my feelings are churning. I believe that if I'm truly interested in doing what God wills daily, then even my mistakes can be used for good in some way. If there is no underlying peace, I know I'm acting strictly from ego/self-will and just focusing on the words of this Step can help me refocus my attention on what is most important to me and that is carrying out God's will in my life.
The difference between prayer and meditation for me: Prayer is talking to my HP. Meditation is listening.
I've had many personal spiritual experiences to draw on that help me improve my conscious contact with a HP. For me these experiences help return me to inward peace, or are like a sudden burst of gratitude or joy, or a sense of being totally safe and well.
-- Edited by grateful2be on Sunday 11th of January 2015 05:06:59 AM
hotrod said
Jan 12, 2015
Dear Catherine Thank you for sharing your inspiring experince with applying this Step to each moment of each day. I do agree that prayer is talking to HP and meditation is listening to the small voice within. Thanks for bein ghee and sharing the journey.
Step 11
Sought through Prayer and Meditation to Improve our Conscious Contact With God, as We Understood Him, Praying Only for Knowledge of His Will for Us and the Power to Carry That Out
Paths to Recovery page 110
Although referred to as a second maintenance step-- step 11 introduces new action-the action is seeking, through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God. What is prayer? What is meditation? An important note to make is this is step guides us by the words prayer and meditation not prayer or meditation. To some prayer means a religious act kneeling down putting your hands together others see prayer is talking to God meditation is listening to God.
My Share
When I first entered program many years ago, I was advised that the Steps should be worked in order . Upon reading them and meditating upon them, I felt overwhelmed and unable to take even the first step. Step 11 was straightforward and a positive action that I could take. I could pray for Gods will as long as I was assured I would get the power to carry it out. This step offered that assurance. I also knew how to meditate so that between step 11 and the slogans, I began this wonderful journey of recovery. Eventually I was able to begin at the beginning of step one and move slowly through each and every step and gain the benefit of each. Step 11 was my gateway.
Step 11 questions
Am I willing to try prayer or meditation today?
How am I willing to be guided today?
How have I been mistaken about Gods will? How has my self-will caused me difficulties?
What can I do to add prayer and meditation to my life today?
How do I define the difference between prayer and meditation?
What personal spiritual experience and I draw on to help me improve my conscious contact with a higher power?
I do some form of prayer and meditation daily although I really do pray all day and listen all day. Sometimes, I miss what my HP might be guiding me to do and yet, there is generally an underlying peace most of the time for me even if my feelings are churning. I believe that if I'm truly interested in doing what God wills daily, then even my mistakes can be used for good in some way. If there is no underlying peace, I know I'm acting strictly from ego/self-will and just focusing on the words of this Step can help me refocus my attention on what is most important to me and that is carrying out God's will in my life.
The difference between prayer and meditation for me: Prayer is talking to my HP. Meditation is listening.
I've had many personal spiritual experiences to draw on that help me improve my conscious contact with a HP. For me these experiences help return me to inward peace, or are like a sudden burst of gratitude or joy, or a sense of being totally safe and well.
-- Edited by grateful2be on Sunday 11th of January 2015 05:06:59 AM