Table of Contents

Foreword v
Introduction: Addiction, Spirituality, and the Process of Uncovery ix
A Note on Anonymity xxv

Chapter One: The Gift of Powerlessness 1
Chapter Two: The Hope of Restoration 25
Chapter Three: Deciding to Be Free 39
Chapter Four: Searching the Ego 55
Chapter Five: Confessing Our Wrongs 73
Chapter Six: Defect Removal 91
Chapter Seven: Asking for Freedom 99
Chapter Eight: Naming the Harmed 111
Chapter Nine: Making Amends 125
Chapter Ten: Attending to the Moment 139
Chapter Eleven: Conscious Contact with God 149
Chapter Twelve: Carrying the Message 167
Chapter Thirteen: First Step, Last Step 183

The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous 189
Notes 190
Suggestions for Further Reading 194
Index of Practices 200

About the Author

Rami Shapiro, a renowned teacher of spirituality across faith traditions, is an award-winning storyteller, poet and essayist. He is author of The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice, Recovery—The Sacred Art: The Twelve Steps as Spiritual Practice and The Divine Feminine in Biblical Wisdom Literature: Selections Annotated & Explained (all SkyLight Paths), among other books.

Rami Shapiro is available to speak on the following topics:



Writing—The Sacred Art: Beyond the Page to Spiritual Practice
Stop Playing God: 12 Steps as Spiritual Practice
Biblical Wisdom for Post-biblical Times: An Exploration of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job
The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Cultivating Compassion in Daily Life
Hasidic Wisdom: An Exploration of Hasidic Storytelling, Theology and Contemplative Practice
Saints and Sages: Biblical Prophets, Ancient Rabbis and the Building of a Just World



Joan Borysenko, PhD, a respected scientist and therapist, is president of Mind/Body Health Sciences, Inc. She is an internationally known speaker and consultant in health and spirituality, integrative medicine and the mind/body connection. She is the author of many books, including the New York Times bestsellers Minding the Body, Mending the Mind and The Power of the Mind to Heal.

Reviews

"Full of wisdom, expanding and deepening Twelve Step insight with the author's wide knowledge of world spiritual traditions.”
—Thomas Bien, author, Mindful Recovery, Finding the Center Within and Mindful Therapy

"Immensely readable, charming, and profound.… Accessible and useful to everyone, not just addicts. Open this book armed with a notebook, pen and highlighter. You will return to Rami's wise words over and over again.”
—Terry Taylor, author, A Spirituality for Brokenness: Discovering Your Deepest Self in Difficult Times

“An important contribution to the literature on the Twelve Steps. Creatively adapts methods from different religious traditions to make the practice of the Twelve Steps even richer.”
—Martine Batchelor, author, Let Go: A Buddhist Guide to Breaking Free of Habits