Insight not dogma.....

'In contrast to dogmatic formulations or unquestioned cult authority, AA and Jungian psychology rely upon the guidance  of a Higher Power and of the Self, as discerned by the individual from his of her own experiences. AA has always advised "Do what works for you". The principles of the 12 Steps and the psychodynamics of Jungian psychology, as well as structures and principles found in other systems and programs, can be used as helpful aids in this discernment psychology. Personal human freedom is never questioned by AA or Jungian psychology. In fact, AA never tells anyone they cannot have a drink if they want one; it merely informs them, through AA's experience of the possible or probable consequences of having that drink, and then says, "It's your choice." AA and Jungian psychology are not interested in cultivating true-believer robotic clones in any way whatsoever. The tension and conflict Jung experienced, and which is shared by AA to this day, is how to describe the phenomena of addiction and the successful path to recovery accurately and authentically, without referring to these psychologically and societally loaded and controversial aspects of the phenomena, which have only been described in what historically have been spiritual and religious terms embedded in sectarian religious teachings. AA and Jung both tried to adopt more neutral, inclusive language to describe the phenomena so as to avoid accusations of psychological bias, sectarian allegiance, or some form of church evangelisation. AA adopted the concept of the Higher Power to describe these realities. Jung went with the Self and the archetypes as the central aspects of the psyche to represent these universal spiritual and psychological principles... Jung in his advice to Rowland was encouraging him to submit himself to a spiritual principle that would replace the ego as the centre of consciousness and to seek a transcendent centre - which many call God, some call the Universe, Jungians call the Self, and AA refers to as the Higher Power. Jung had intuitively in effect advised Rowland to take Step Two. The only hope was in giving up hope that Rowland could somehow cure himself.'

Source: 'The War of the Gods in Addiction', by David E. Schoen

(our emphases)

Comment: In other words rely upon your own insight and experience. Don't simply replace your ego with someone else's eg. your sponsor

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Thanks to our contributor

PPS For AA Minority Report 2013 click here

PPPS Plymouth Intergroup corruption