My experience with Step Eleven

[NewTestamentChristian]

"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."

This step is when recovery no longer becomes just a means to stay sober but functions as a way of life. Everyone’s experience with Step Eleven is different, but at its core, it’s about cultivating a daily practice of spiritual connection. As a Christian in recovery, my obvious Higher Power is Christ. But I strongly believe that when Bill Wilson penned the Twelve Steps out in the Big Book he was convinced of the truth of the Biblical God (him and Bob Smith both got sober in the Oxford Group). There are a number of spiritual disciplines that help me. My morning routine, where I say a series of prayers pulled mainly from the Big Book along with the Lord's Prayer and Serenity Prayer, helps me start my day off right. At night, writing my inventory list and directing myself to God's presence in prayer is also crucial. The Jesus Prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner", is essential to my life; This simple prayer has brought me out of several ruts that I've been in. Non-Christian practices, I must admit, also contribute to my spiritual life. Stoicism is a major philosophy that I enjoy reading up on along with Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism (I have been interested in the Vipassana Movement and Zen for a while and likewise enjoy practicing vipassana (or insight) meditation; I think this is a completely ok thing for a Christian to do because there are no metaphysical or doctrinal issues).

A common struggle with this step is patience. We want answers, direction, and a sense of certainty, but often, spiritual growth comes more in the waiting than in the receiving. The practice of showing up—praying, meditating, reflecting—is the real work. Over time, this conscious contact transforms how we handle life: we react less, respond more thoughtfully, and navigate struggles with a strength that isn’t just our own.

 

[timf]

conscious contact

Immersion in the bible might qualify

 

[public hermit]

"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."

This step is when recovery no longer becomes just a means to stay sober but functions as a way of life. Everyone’s experience with Step Eleven is different, but at its core, it’s about cultivating a daily practice of spiritual connection. As a Christian in recovery, my obvious Higher Power is Christ. But I strongly believe that when Bill Wilson penned the Twelve Steps out in the Big Book he was convinced of the truth of the Biblical God (him and Bob Smith both got sober in the Oxford Group). There are a number of spiritual disciplines that help me. My morning routine, where I say a series of prayers pulled mainly from the Big Book along with the Lord's Prayer and Serenity Prayer, helps me start my day off right. At night, writing my inventory list and directing myself to God's presence in prayer is also crucial. The Jesus Prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner", is essential to my life; This simple prayer has brought me out of several ruts that I've been in. Non-Christian practices, I must admit, also contribute to my spiritual life. Stoicism is a major philosophy that I enjoy reading up on along with Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism (I have been interested in the Vipassana Movement for a while and likewise enjoy practicing vipassana (or insight) meditation; I think this is a completely ok thing for a Christian to do because there are no metaphysical or doctrinal issues).

A common struggle with this step is patience. We want answers, direction, and a sense of certainty, but often, spiritual growth comes more in the waiting than in the receiving. The practice of showing up—praying, meditating, reflecting—is the real work. Over time, this conscious contact transforms how we handle life: we react less, respond more thoughtfully, and navigate struggles with a strength that isn’t just our own.

The most progress I've experienced in the spiritual life is sitting in stillness and silence, wholly focused on God. I do it every morning for twenty minutes and it has changed everything for me. I have kept up this practice for about 5 or 6 years, but I wish I had known about this earlier in my faith. The contentment, peace, and awareness of God's presence are real. At times, it can even be overwhelming.