Direct your thoughts and your actions will follow a great phrase for meditation. The elegance of Step Eleven lines us up with true north. A trinitarian grouping of three distinct actions.
- Prayer and meditation
- Improved relationship with God
- Knowing and Doing His will for me
Oddly, making sure my husband, kids, and community do the right thing every day, does not make the list. According to Step Eleven, my responsibility lies solely in my seeking God’s will for me and carrying that out.
Whew! No more hundred pound weight on each shoulder. God’s got this and I just need to follow His lead. How awesome is this! There is an adult in charge. An all knowing, all loving, divine creator who plans to prosper me.
Years ago, I saw this note taped to my friend’s fridge.
How sweet, I remember thinking at the time, God sending love notes. Wish it really happened. I hope your response to this is “Oh, but it does happen! You just must tune your ears to hear.”
If your response reeks of skepticism like mine, then sink your teeth into the first part of Step Eleven.
Learn to Mediate Step Eleven Guide
God speaks today. As a busy, busy culture, set on drowning ourselves in the circus of technology, hearing God takes practice.
Ironically the secular world is getting the message. Talented people turn toward mediation as a way to bring focus to their lives–to calm their minds, formulate plans, and develop a character with or without a connection to the Judeo-Christian God.
When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to be alive. -Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius captures the simplicity of mediation in one sentence.
Why Meditate?
Need more help? Try a few of these
For me, meditation is a relationship with God. I practice centering prayer as part of my 11th Step. Father Keating suggests that sitting down is the first step to mediation. We can all do that right? You can find many videos on the Centering Prayer Method by Father Keating or read his book Open Mind, Open Heart.
A friend suggested the Abide “App”. As a Christian based “app” it gives you multiple topic options–meditations for fear, health, anxiety, depression. These are guided meditations. They give the mind something to focus on as you begin to learn to relax into God’s presence. I also recommend the book Jesus Is Calling as a jumping off point.
What is Transcendental Meditation?
Want to try meditation without God? These quick videos give you an idea of TM. A popular mediation form used worldwide.
Improving My Relationship
In Step 3, we turned our will and lives over to the care of our higher power. Step Eleven gives us an opportunity to do just that. If mediation is not for you, why not try journaling.
I use a journal to clear my head, to talk to God and to understand my feelings. There are several great journals with prompts out there. Take a look at these.
Improving your relationship with God can be interpreted in many ways–walk in nature, a bible study group, research into who God is, and serving others.
Doing God’s Will
A big topic, now that I am sober and trying to follow God in my actions what does that look like? How will I know I am doing the right thing?
Answering these questions is different for each person. Look back over the character assets and defects list, the blog on step 10. Look for folks with qualities you really admire.
Make a list of the areas you think are God’s direction for your life and meditate on them.
You Get to Choose
I felt trapped for many years by how others behaved. Working the steps helped me realize I am only responsible for me.
My journey to freedom gave me choices. I can choose to act in the same way or I can choose to seek God’s will for my life
The mediation and prayer of Step Eleven offer a new start each day. Choose who you want to be!
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