'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
