“Taken Out Of Context” Series: 1 – “The Program”

So many things I hear these days in meetings are things, taken out of context from the Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, and twisted. It is now time to clarify them. This will be a series of posts.

What is “The Program”?

I asked this of a friend of mine who has long-term sobriety, is a history-buff and a past delegate – around 45 years sober, in Minnesota. This what he said,

It was the term used by the first members BEFORE the Twelve Steps were written for the Big Book. The six actions/attitudes that were suggested to new members – taken from Oxford Group approaches to a spiritual life, and practiced by the current members, were considered “the program.” In the Big Book (Bill’s Story – page 9) a reference is made to “…a program of action.” It was the vernacular used by those first members in New York and Akron.

Below are the 6 steps of the Oxford Group which constitute “The Program”.

So, when you say that you are “in the program” – is this what you are doing?

My friend goes on to say, “Like far too many things in AA – members shortened the description in order to use it as a sort of slogan or shorthand.”

When we do that – we rob the newcomer of understanding, and take an ‘easier, softer way’ for ourselves when carrying the message. So much so that eventually the original message is lost and everybody suffers as the result. That is the long term impact of self-centeredness and selfishness practiced by AA members. Thinking of ourselves rather than the newcomer.

This answer, has inspired this series. “The Program” sounds like programming to me – I am “in the program” sounds like I am programmed – and in a way I was due for a Brain Washing when I came to AA, but that is not we mean today when we say those words. I don’t think people today even think at all about what they are saying.

It is certainly not about meetings. The program IS NOT meetings. If you are IN the program – you are in the Big Book, as far as I am concerned. And according to Bill W., it is “A program of action.” Which means you can’t shorten it to “the Program”. Are you in “A program of action?”