In olden days, Native American elders sat around a fire at night and they would pick one word. Each individual in the circle would speak about everything that they knew about that word. When everyone had finished, they all had a true understanding that was not there before. The same process happens every night of the week, in A.A. meetings held in church basements all over the world. I have read many books written by members of Alcoholics Anonymous and I believe that none have captured the true mystic experience that so many of us, who have been cured of our insanity, have experienced. In each piece, the author, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has attempted to capture the true mystic wisdom of Alcoholics Anonymous, a wisdom that through time and the experience of its members has become a living breathing entity of its own. This book is a hilarious collection of parables and true personal stories that can be used for everyday teaching within the rooms of AA. The teachings in these selections are self-explanatory and timeless, and in accordance with AA principals are non-denominational. Each piece is written simply so that beginners to early recovery can understand them, but they will also appeal to more experienced members of the recovery community
About the Author: The author has chosen to remain anonymous, in keeping with the 11th tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous that states: "Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films." Alcoholics Anonymous Pg.564 If the author gets drunk, it is not the fault of A.A. and its principals, it is the fault of the author alone. Although some A.A. lawyers might find this work a break in the tradition of A.A., the author felt that this book was an important and necessary work to bring the teachings and principals of A.A. into the modern century, in a positive way. The author has been an active member in A.A. for over 26 years. He teaches meditation privately, and occasionally in professional drug and alcohol counseling centers, for free, the same way that it was given to him. He has had the good fortune to meet Father Martin in his travels. He has also met and had long conversations with Dr. Paul, one of the original authors of the Big Book, whose story is often quoted in the rooms when the discussion is centered on acceptance. He has sought out as many A.A. elders as he could find, as far back as 1989, when the rooms were smoke-filled and of a different flavor than present-day meetings. He is a strong believer in all the steps, traditions, and principals that have been laid out for members of Alcoholics Anonymous. Bill Wilson once said, "A.A. is just a spiritual kindergarten." As Bill Sees It-Pg.95 . To better understand himself and those around him, the author has also studied under Franciscan monks, Buddhist monks, Zen Masters, Native American Elders, and Sufi Masters. As Ed, one of his favorite sponsors, once stated, "If you know yourself, then you know the whole world."