Comparing “How It Works” to the original manuscript for our Basic Text
Comparison Format — Colors appear here only and are — — not used in the actual comparisons. — Words above brackets are from the pre-publication version. < Bracketed copy is from our Basic Text as it reads today. > ~ Format Examples ~Rarely have we < RARELY HAVE WE > seen a person fail who has thoroughly directions followed our < path >...~ ~ ~Now we think you can take it! < — — — — — > Here are the steps we took...~ ~ ~11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our — — — — — — < conscious > contact with God < as we understood Him >...~ ~ ~
Chapter 5 < Chapter 5 > HOW IT WORKSRarely have we < RARELY HAVE WE > seen a person fail who has thoroughly directions followed our < path >. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitu- tionally incapable of being honest with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of way of life grasping and developing a < manner of living > which demands rigorous honesty. Their chances are less than average. There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest. Our stories disclose in a general way what we used to be like, what happened, and what we are like now. If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it – then you are ready to follow directions < take certain steps >. you may balk. You may think you can At some of these < we balked. We thought we could > We doubt if you can. find an easier, softer way. < But we could not. > With all the earnestness at our command, we beg of you to be fearless and thorough from the very start. Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely. you are dealing Remember that < we deal > with alcohol – cunning,
59
you
baffling, powerful! Without help it is too much for < us >.
That One
But there is One who has all power – < that one > is God.
You must
< May you > find Him now!
will avail you You stand
Half measures < availed us > nothing. < We stood >
Throw yourself under
at the turning point. < We asked > His protection
and care with complete abandon.
Now we think you can take it!
< > Here are the steps we
your Program of Recovery
took, which are suggested as < a program of recovery >:
Admitted
1. < We admitted > we were powerless over alcohol –
that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves
could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives
and direction as we
over to the care < > of God < as we >
understood Him
< understood Him >.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of
ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human
being the exact nature of our wrongs.
willing that
6. Were entirely < ready to have > God remove all these
defects of character.
, on our knees,
7. Humbly < > asked Him to remove our
– holding nothing back
shortcomings < >.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became
complete
willing to make < > amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible,
except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we
were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. 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.
(glimpse of the original ‘working manuscript’ for parts of these two pages)
60
experience
12. Having had a spiritual < awakening > as the result
this course of action
of < these steps >, we tried to carry this
others, especially
message to < > alcoholics, and to
practice these principles in all our affairs.
You may exclaim
< Many of us exclaimed >, "What an order! I can't go
through with it." Do not be discouraged. No one among us
has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence to
these principles. We are not saints. The point is, that we
are willing to grow along spiritual lines. The principles
we have set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual
progress rather than spiritual perfection.
Our description of the alcoholic, the chapter to the
agnostic, and our personal adventures before and after
, have been designed to sell you
< make clear > three pertinent ideas:
you are cannot
(a) That < we were > alcoholic and < could not >
your life
manage < our > own < lives >.
can
(b) That probably no human power < could have >
relieve your
< relieved our > alcoholism.
can will
(c) That God < could > and < would if He were sought >.
If you are not convinced on these vital issues,
< >
you ought to re-read the book to this point or else
< >
throw it away!
< >
If you are you are now at step three
< Being > convinced, < we were at Step Three >,
you make a decision your
which is that < we decided > to turn < our > will
your you understand
and < our > life over to God as < we understood > Him.
Just what do we mean by that, and just what do we do?
you see
The first requirement is that < we be convinced >
that any life run on self-will can hardly be a success.
collission
On that basis we are almost always in < collision > with
may be
something or somebody, even though our motives < are >
good. Most people try to live by self-propulsion. Each
:
person is like an actor who wants to run the whole show < ; >
is forever trying to arrange the lights, the ballet, the
scenery and the rest of the players in his own way. If
61
his arrangements would only stay put, if only people would
wishes
do as he < wished >, the show would be great. Everybody,
including himself, would be pleased. Life would be wonder-
ful. In trying to make these arrangements our actor may
sometimes be quite virtuous. He may be kind, considerate,
patient, generous; even modest and self-sacrificing. On
the other hand, he may be mean, egotistical, selfish and
dishonest. But, as with most humans, he is more likely
to have varied traits.
What usually happens? The show doesn't come off very
well. He begins to think life doesn't treat him right.
some
He decides to exert himself < > more. He becomes, on the
next occasion, still more demanding or gracious, as the case
may be. Still the play does not suit him. Admitting he may
be somewhat at fault, he is sure that other people are more
to blame. He becomes angry, indignant, self-pitying. What
is his basic trouble? Is he not really a self-seeker even
when trying to be kind? Is he not a victim of the delusion
that he can wrest satisfaction and happiness out of this
world if he only manages well? Is it not evident to all
the rest of the players that these are the things he wants?
And do not his actions make each of them wish to retaliate,
snatching all they can get out of the show? Is he not, even
in his best moments, a producer of confusion rather than
harmony?
Our actor is self-centered – ego-centric, as people
like to call it nowadays. He is like the retired business
man who lolls in the Florida sunshine in the winter com-
preacher
plaining of the sad state of the nation; the < minister >
who sighs over the sins of the twentieth century; politi-
cians and reformers who are sure all would be Utopia
62
if the rest of the world would only behave; the outlaw safe
cracker who thinks society has wronged him; and the alcoho-
their
lic who has lost all and is locked up. Whatever < our >
these people mostly
protestations are not < most of us > concerned with
themselves, their their
< ourselves, our > resentments, or < our > self-pity?
Selfishness – self-centeredness! That, we think,
is the root of our troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of
fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step
on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate. Sometimes
,
they hurt us, seemingly < > without provocation, but we
invariably find that at some time in the past we have made
,
decisions based on self < > which later placed us in
a position to be hurt.
So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own
making. They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic
almost the most that could be found
is < an > extreme example < >
of self-will run riot, though he usually doesn't think so.
Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfish-
ness. We must, or it kills us! God makes that possible.
is
And there < often seems > no way of entirely getting rid
Him. You may have
of self without < His aid. Many of us had > moral and
you can't
philosophical convictions galore, but < we could not >
you like
live up to them even though < we > would < have liked > to.
can you your
Neither < could we > reduce < our > self-centeredness
your You
much by wishing or trying on < our > own power. < We >
must
< had to > have God's help.
This is the how and why of it. First of all,
yourself doesn't
< we had to > quit playing God < >. It < didn't >
decide
work. Next, < we decided > that hereafter in this drama
is your
of life, God < was > going to be < our > Director. He is
you to be agent
the Principal; < we > are < > His < agents >. He is
you child. Get that simple
the Father, and < we > are His < children. >
relationship straight.
< > Most good ideas are simple,
is to be
and this concept < was > the keystone of the new and
you will pass
triumphant arch through which < we passed > to freedom.
63
you take
When < we > sincerely < took > such a position, all
follow. You have
sorts of remarkable things < followed. We had > a new
must necessarily provide
Employer. Being all powerful, He < provided >
you need you keep
what < we needed >, if < we kept > close to Him and
perform
< performed > His work well. Established on such a footing
you become yourself, your
< we became > less and less interested in < ourselves, our >
you become
little plans and designs. More and more < we became >
you can
interested in seeing what < we could > contribute to life.
you feel you enjoy
As < we felt > new power flow in, as < we enjoyed > peace of
you discover you can
mind, as < we discovered we could > face life successfully,
you become you begin
as < we became > conscious of His presence, < we began >
your
to lose < our > fear of today, tomorrow or the hereafter.
You will have been
< We were > reborn.
Get down upon your knees and say
< We were now at Step Three. Many of us said > to
your as you understand Him
< our > Maker, < as we understood Him >: "God, I offer my-
self to Thee – to build with me and to do with me as Thou
wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better
do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over
them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power,
Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!"
Think . Be
< We thought > well before taking this step < making >
you are you can
sure < we were > ready; that < we could > at last abandon
yourself
< ourselves > utterly to Him.
It is that you make
< We found it > very desirable < to take this >
your decision . It
< spiritual step > with an understanding person < , >
may be your your your
< such as our > wife, < > best friend, < or > spiritual
, but remember
advisor < . But > it is better to meet God alone
that You must decide
< than > with one who might misunderstand. < >
this for yourself. of your decision is
< > The wording < was >, of
you express
course, quite optional so long as < we expressed > the idea,
decision is
voicing it without reservation. This < was > only a
beginning, though if honestly and humbly made, an effect,
will be
sometimes a very great one, < was > felt at once.
launch
Next we < launched > out on a course of vigorous
action, the first step of which is a personal housecleaning,
64
you have in all probability
which < many of us had > never < >
your is
attempted. Though < our > decision < was > a vital and
can
crucial step, it < could > have little permanent effect
unless at once followed by a strenuous effort to face,
yourself have
and to be rid of, the things in < ourselves > which < had >
you. Your is
been blocking < us. Our > liquor < was > but a symptom.
Let's now basic
< So we had to > get down to < > causes and conditions.
you start
Therefore, < we started > upon a personal inventory.
This is step four
< This was Step Four >. A business which takes no regular
inventory usually goes broke. Taking a commercial inventory
is a fact-finding and a fact-facing process. It is an effort
Its
to discover the truth about the stock-in-trade. < One >
object is to disclose damaged or unsalable goods, to get
rid of them promptly and without regret. If the owner
of the business is to be successful, he cannot fool
himself about values.
do
We < did > exactly the same thing with our lives. We
take search
< took > stock honestly. First, we < searched > out the
have
flaws in our make-up which < > caused our failure. Being
is
convinced that self, manifested in various ways, < was >
has consider
what < had > defeated us, we < considered > its common
manifestations.
Resentment is the "number one" offender. It destroys
more alcoholics than anything else. From it stem all forms
of spiritual disease, for we have been not only mentally
and physically ill, we have been spiritually sick. When the
spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and
physically. In dealing with resentments, we set them on
List
paper. < We listed > people, institutions or principles
you are Ask yourself
with whom < we were > angry. < We asked ourselves > why
you are will be
< we were > angry. In most cases it < was > found that
your your pocketbook your
< our > self-esteem, < our pocketbooks >, < our > ambitions,
your ,
< our > personal relationships < >
65
are you are
(including sex) < were > hurt or threatened. So < we were >
You are
sore. < We were > "burned up."
your
On < our > grudge list < we > set opposite each name
your Is your your
< our > injuries. < Was > it < our > self-esteem, < our >
your your your
security, < our > ambitions, < our > personal, or < >
have
sex relations, which < had > been interfered with?
Be
< We were usually > as definite as this example:
I'm resentful at: The Cause Affects my:
< I'm resentful at: The Cause Affects my: >
Mr. Brown His attention to my Sex relations.
wife. Self-esteem (fear)
Told my wife of my Sex relations.
mistress. Self-esteem (fear)
Brown may get my Security.
job at the office. Self-esteem (fear)
Mrs. Jones She's a nut – she Personal relation-
snubbed me. She ship. Self-esteem
committed her hus- (fear)
band for drinking.
He's my friend.
She's a gossip.
My employer Unreasonable – Unjust Self-esteem (fear)
– Overbearing – Security.
Threatens to fire
me for drinking
and padding my ex-
pense account.
My wife Misunderstands and Pride – Personal
nags. Likes Brown. sex relations
Wants house put in – Security (fear)
her name.
Go on through the list your lifetime
< We went > back through < our lives >.
counts
Nothing < counted > but thoroughness and honesty. When
you are consider
< we were > finished < we considered > it carefully. The
first thing
66
to you is are
apparent < was > that this world and its people < were >
are
often quite wrong. To conclude that others < were > wrong
is get
< was > as far as most of us ever < got >. The usual out-
is continue you
come < was > that people < continued > to wrong < us > and
you stay is
< we stayed > sore. Sometimes it < was > remorse and then
you are yourself you
< we were > sore at < ourselves >. But the more < we >
fight try your
< fought > and < tried > to have < our > own way, the worse
get. Isn't that so? victors
matters < got. > As in war, < the victor >
seem Your are
only < seemed > to win. < Our > moments of triumph < were >
short-lived.
way of
It is plain that a < > life which includes
deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness.
To the precise extent that we permit these, do we squander
the hours that might have been worth while. But with the
only
alcoholic < , > whose < > hope is the maintenance and
growth of a spiritual experience, this business of resent-
find
ment is infinitely grave. We < found > that it is fatal.
For when harboring such feelings we shut ourselves off from
the sunlight of the Spirit. The insanity of alcohol returns
and we drink again. And with us, to drink is to die.
are must
If we < were > to live, we < had to > be free of anger.
are
The grouch and the brainstorm < were > not for us. They
may be the dubious luxury of normal men, but for alcoholics
these things are poison.
Turn your holds
< We turned > back to < the > list, for it < held >
your You must be
the key to < the > future. < We were > prepared to look
You will begin
at it from an entirely different angle. < We began > to
dominate you
see that the world and its people really < dominated us >.
your present
In < that > state, the wrong-doing of others,
has you
fancied or real, < had > power to actually kill < >.
shall you You see
How < could we > escape? < We saw > that these resentments
You cannot
must be mastered, but how? < We could not > wish them away
any more than alcohol.
is realize at once
This < was > our course: < We realized > that the
wrong you are
people who < wronged us were perhaps > spiritually sick.
67
you don't
Though < we did not > like their symptoms and the way these
disturb you yourself, are
these < disturbed us >, they, like < ourselves, were > sick
Ask you
too. < We asked > God to help < us > show them the same
you
tolerance, pity, and patience that < we > would cheerfully
who has cancer
grant a sick friend < >. When a person
next offends, say to yourself
< offended we said to ourselves, > "This is a sick man.
How can I be helpful to him? God save me from being angry.
Thy will be done."
Never argue. Never retaliate. You
< We avoid retaliation or argument. We > wouldn't
you do, you
treat sick people that way. If < we do, we > destroy
your You
< our > chance of being helpful. < We > cannot be helpful
you
to all people, but at least God will show < us > how to
take a kindly and tolerant view of each and every one.
Take up your
< Referring to our > list again. Putting out of
your mind have
< our minds > the wrongs others < had > done, < we >
look your
resolutely < looked > for < our > own mistakes. Where
have you
< had we > been selfish, dishonest, self-seeking and
may not be
frightened? Though a situation < had not been >
your
entirely < our > fault, < we tried to > disregard the
See where you have
other person involved entirely. < Where were we to >
been to blame. This is your
< blame? The > inventory < was ours >,
you see your fault
not the other man's. When < we saw our faults we >
write it down on the list. See it you
< we listed them. We placed them > before < us > in
Admit your
black and white. < We admitted our > wrongs honestly
be
and < were > willing to set these matters straight.
You will notice
< Notice > that the word "fear" is bracketed
alongside the difficulties with Mr. Brown, Mrs. Jones,
your your
< the > employer, and < the > wife. This short word somehow
is
touches about every aspect of our lives. It < was > an evil
is
and corroding thread; the fabric of our existence < was >
sets
shot through with it. It < set > in motion trains of
bring feel
circumstances which < brought > us misfortune we < felt >
don't
we < didn't > deserve. But did not we, ourselves, set the
ball rolling? Sometimes
68
as a sin
we think fear ought to be classed with stealing < >.
It seems to cause more trouble.
Review your Put
< We reviewed our > fears thoroughly. < We put > them
you have
on paper, even though < we had > no resentment in connection
Ask yourself you have
with them. < We asked ourselves > why < we had > them.
Isn't has you
< Wasn't > it because self-reliance < > failed < us >?
Self-reliance was good as far as it went, but it didn't
go far enough. Some of us once had great self-confidence,
but it didn't fully solve the fear problem, or any other.
When it made us cocky, it was worse.
Perhaps there is a better way – we think so. For
you to go
< we > are now < > on a different basis; the basis of
You are to
trusting and relying upon God. < We > trust infinite
your self. You
God rather than < our > finite < selves. We > are in the
world to play the role He assigns. Just to the extent that
you you you
< we > do as < we > think He would have < us >, and humbly
you
rely on Him, does He enable < us > to match calamity with
serenity.
You must
< We > never apologize to anyone for depending
your You
upon < our > Creator. < We > can laugh at those who think
spirituality the way of weakness. Paradoxically, it is
the way of strength. The verdict of the ages is that faith
means courage. All men of faith have courage. They trust
Never
their God. < We never > apologize for God. Instead
you
< we > let Him demonstrate, through < us >, what He can
Ask your
do. < We ask > Him to remove < our > fear and direct
your you
< our > attention to what He would have < us > be. At
you will
once, < we > commence to outgrow fear.
You can probably stand
Now about sex. < Many of us need > an overhauling
We needed it. let's
there. < > But above all, < we try to > be
sensible on this question. It's so easy to get way off the
track. Here we find human opinions running to extremes –
absurd extremes, perhaps. One set of voices cry that sex is
a lust of our lower nature, a base necessity of procreation.
69
Then we have the voices who cry for sex and more sex; who
bewail the institution of marriage; who think that most of
the troubles of the race are traceable to sex causes. They
think we do not have enough of it, or that it isn't the right
kind. They see its significance everywhere. One school would
allow man no flavor for his fare and the other would have us
all on a straight pepper diet. We want to stay out of this
controversy. We do not want to be the arbiter of anyone's sex
conduct. We all have sex problems. We'd hardly be human if
we didn't. What can we do about them?
Review your
< We reviewed our > own conduct over the years past.
have you
Where < had we > been selfish, dishonest, or inconsiderate?
did you you
Whom < had we > hurt? Did < we > unjustifiably arouse
you
jealousy, suspicion or bitterness? Where < > were < we >
you Get
at fault, what should < we > have done instead? < We got >
look
this all down on paper and < looked > at it.
you can
In this way < we tried to > shape a sane and sound
your Subject
ideal for < our > future sex life. < We subjected > each
is
relation to this test – < was > it selfish or not?
Ask your you
< We asked > God to mold < our > ideals and help < us > to
Remember your
live up to them. < We remembered > always that < our > sex
are ,
powers < were > God-given < > and therefore good, neither to
be used lightly or selfishly nor to be despised and loathed.
your may you
Whatever < our > ideal < turns out to > be, < we >
You
must be willing to grow toward it. < We > must be willing
you
to make amends where < we > have done harm, provided that
you will
< we do > not bring about still more harm in so doing.
you
In other words, < we > treat sex as < we > would any other
you
problem. In meditation, < we > ask God what < we > should
do about each specific matter. The right answer will come,
you
if < we > want it.
your
God alone can judge < our > sex situation. Counsel with
70
persons is often desirable, but < we > let God be the final
Remember
judge. < We realize > that some people are as fanatical
Avoid
about sex as others are loose. < We avoid > hysterical
thinking or advice.
you
Suppose < we > fall short of the chosen ideal and
. you
stumble < ? > Does this mean < we > are going to get drunk?
will you If they do, it will be
Some people < > tell < us > so. < But this is >
you your
only a half-truth. It depends on < us > and < on our >
motive you you
< motives >. If < we > are sorry for what < we > have done,
you
and have the honest desire to let God take < us > to better
you
things, < we believe we > will be forgiven and will have
your you your
learned < our > lesson. If < we > are not sorry, and < our >
you
conduct continues to harm others, < we > are quite sure to
drink. We are not theorizing. These are facts out of our
experience.
To sum up about sex: < We > earnestly pray for the
right ideal, for guidance in each questionable situation,
for sanity, and for the strength to do the right thing.
yourself
If sex is very troublesome, < we > throw < ourselves >
Think
the harder into helping others. < We think > of their needs
will take you yourself
and work for them. This < takes us > out of < ourselves >.
will quiet
It < quiets > the imperious urge, when to yield would mean
heartache.
you your
If < we > have been thorough about < our > personal
you by this time
inventory, < we > have written down a lot < >.
You your
< We > have listed and analyzed < our > resentments.
You
< We > have begun to comprehend their futility and their
You
fatality. < We > have commenced to see their terrible
You
destructiveness. < We > have begun to learn tolerance,
your
patience and good will toward all men, even < our > enemies,
you know to be You
for < we look on > them < as > sick people. < We > have
you your
listed the people < we > have hurt by < our > conduct, and
you you
< > are willing to straighten out the past if < we > can.
God
In this book you read again and again that < faith > did
71
for us what we could not do for ourselves. We hope you are
He the
convinced now that < God > can remove < whatever > self-will
that You
< > has blocked you off from Him. < If you > have
your . You have made
< already > made < a > decision < , and > an
the you have. You
inventory of < your > grosser handicaps < , you >
, for
have made a good beginning < . That being so > you have
swallowed and digested some big chunks of truth about
Are you willing to go on?
yourself. < >
e-aa discussion of How It Works
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