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Alcohol
from Grapevine, February 1958. That article has been printed in pamphlet form as
well with the same title. It's part of the meeting format of the Three Legacies group in New Orleans. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII ++++Message 6556. . . . . . . . . . . . RE: Bill W. quote on purpose of an AA meeting From: Jenny or Laurie Andrews . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/26/2010 4:31:00 AM
members,
let alone those of nonalcoholics in the world around us. The AA group is not,
for example, a mediator of domestic relations, nor does it furnish personal financial aid to anyone. Though a member may sometimes be helped in such matters by his friends in AA, the primary responsibility for the solutions of all his problems of living and growing rests squarely upon the individual himself. Should the AA group attempt this sort of help, its effectiveness and energies
would be hopelessly dissipated. This is why sobriety - freedom from alcohol - through the teaching and practice of AA's 12 Steps, is the sole purpose of the group. If we don't stick to this cardinal principle, we shall almost certainly collapse. And if we collapse we cannot help anyone." (Letter from Bill W dated 1966 and quoted in "As Bill Sees It", page 79) IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII ++++Message 6557. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Bill W. quote on purpose of an AA meeting From: Tom Hickcox . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/26/2010 9:37:00 AM
attributed to Bill W. in a Grapevine article in 1958. I do not know which Grapevine issue.
of the Grapevine, which you can find on their Digital Archive. The article is titled "Problems other than Alcohol: What can be done about them?" by Wilson. It is also in the pamphlet Jim referenced in his earlier post.
of Life attributes it to a "Letter 1966". The pamphlet is copyrighted 1958, so I wonder why it wasn't attributed to the pamphlet rather than to a letter from almost a decade later? Maybe to give us something to worry about. today as they were fifty-two years ago. Tommy H in Baton Rouge IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII ++++Message 6558. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: The AA version of moral psychology From: jax760 . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/26/2010 6:53:00 PM
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AAHistoryLovers/message/6493 But I want to add some additional information and, because of its importance, discuss it in more detail.
psychology" fully two years before the Big Book was published. He first mentions it in a March 1937 paper and then elaborates in an April 1937 paper. (excerpt below) Reclamation of the Alcoholic By William D. Silkworth, M.D., New York, N.Y. Medical Record, April 21, 1937
patient
knows he has reached a lasting conclusion, and experiences a sense of great relief. These individuals, introverts for the most part, whose interests center entirely in themselves, once they have made their decision, frequently ask how they can help others. Case III (Hospital No. 993). - A man of thirty-eight, who had been drinking heavily for five years, had lost all of his property and was practically disowned by his family, was brought to the hospital with a gastric hemorrhage. His general condition was typical of allergic alcoholism and apparently he was
mentally beyond hope. Following through elimination and medical rehabilitation, he made a satisfactory physical return. He then took up moral psychology and, in
two years' time has entirely recovered his lost fortune and has been elected to a prominent public position. On meeting this patient recently, we experienced a strange sensation; while we recognized the features, a different man seemed to be speaking, as if a self-confident stranger had stepped into this man's body. Case IV (Hospital No. 1152). - A broker, who had earned as much as $25,000 a year, and had come, through alcohol, to a position where he was being supported by his wife, presented himself for treatment carrying with him two books on philosophy from which he hoped to get a new inspiration: His desire to discontinue alcohol was intense, and he certainly made every effort within his own capabilities do to so. Following the course of treatment in which the alcohol and toxic products were eliminated and his craving counteracted, he took
up moral psychology. At first, he found it difficult to rehabilitate himself financially, as his old friends had no confidence in his future conduct. Later he was given an opportunity, and is now a director in a large corporation. He gives part of his income to help others in his former condition, and he has gathered about him a group of over fifty men, all free from their former alcoholism through the application of this method of treatment and "moral psychology." To such patients we recommend "moral psychology," and in those of our patients who have joined or initiated such groups the change has been spectacular. The use of quotes around the term "moral psychology" would indicate a euphemism by Silkworth. My studies have shown that Silkworth was on the same page as William James and knew all about the many case histories of religious "conversion" saving drunks. James recognized many in the professional field would prefer to substitute the word moral or morality for "personal" religion (i.e. "spirituality") "To some of you personal religion, thus nakedly considered, will no doubt seem
too incomplete a thing to wear the general name. "It is a part of religion," you will say, "but only its unorganized rudiment; if we are to name it by itself, we had better call it man's conscience or morality than his religion." ... "Rather than prolong such a dispute, I am willing to accept almost any name
for the personal religion of which I propose to treat. Call it conscience or morality, if you yourselves prefer, and not religion--under either name it will be equally worthy of our study." VRE - Lecture II Moral Pyschology - "We had to find a 'spiritual basis' for life or else"........"though we work out our solution on the spiritual as well as altruistic planes..."
> > From Cliff Bishop and Roy Levin > > - - - - > > From: "Cliff Bishop" CBBB164@... (CBBB164 at AOL.COM) > > It seems to me Dr. Silkworth provided his own definition of "Moral > Psychology" in offering his opinion. In the same paragraph where that term is > used, he referred to the "powers of good that lie outside our synthetic > knowledge." > > Two paragraphs later, he states, "They believe in themselves, and still > more in the Power which pulls chronic alcoholics back from the gates of > death." This is what our Program of Recovery is about. Plugging into that > Power; our Higher Power > > Makes sense to me. > > In God's love and service, > > Cliff Bishop > 214-350-1190 > http://www.ppgaadallas.org/ > > - - - - > > From: Roy Levin > > My take on it was that he was using a euphemism for what we call in AA today > the "spiritual" program, or what Silkworth must have considered a "religious" > approach. Such approaches were beyond "the synthetic knowledge" BB pg xxv of > "modern" (1930s) scientists like medical doctors. In other words, occasionally > a drunk sobered up through the Salvation Army or Oxford Group whereas the docs > couldn't reach them. The one line in the Big Book which I believe is a > complete exageration (for which I forgive WD Silkworth) is the line on page
> xxvii (4th ed.) :" Though the aggregate of recoveries resulting from psychiatric > effort is considerable, we physicians must admit we have made little impression > upon the problem as a while.. Many types do not respond to the ordinary > psychological approach." > > Poor Doc Silkworth, he had to give some credit to his profession. But even > today I doubt if there is an considerable aggregate of recoveries to alcoholism > with just head shrinking. Every AA knows that a good psychiatrist, the minute
> he suspects a patient to be an alkie, will insist he go to AA meetings or refuse
> to treat the man further. > > Remember Silkworth withheld his name from the first edition/first printing, > because he thought the other docs might consdier him a crackpot for allowing > Bill W. to come into Town's Hospital and talk God to the drunks. But to his > credit as a sincere healer rather than an "M-Diety" he cared for what got his > patients well, rather than who came up with the therapy. Bill's "altruistic > movement" worked and the croakers' cures didn't, so he encouraged the AAs and > let his name be used in future printings. > > In short, "moral psychology" were the words Silkworth used because he didn't > want to come right out and say "the only thing that seems to help these drunks > is some 'Good Ol' Time Religion." But he knew that was the only thing that > worked, and he could see that Bill and his boys could package it and pitch it to > their fellow alkies better than any professional preachers. >
++++Message 6559. . . . . . . . . . . . bit in our teeth From: Chuck Parkhurst . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/27/2010 3:47:00 PM IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Members, When referring to a person we do not like, on p. 77 of the Big Book, the authors suggest that we take the "bit in our teeth." Can someone offer me clarity on what that expression means and where it originated? A source reference for the information would be good as well. I have conducted a step 8 and 9 workshop and that expression comes up as a question. In Service with Gratitude, Chuck Parkhurst - - - - From the moderator: There is a big space between a horse's front teeth and back teeth, where the bit of the bridle is placed, so the horse cannot spit it out of his mouth. The reins are attached to the bit, so the rider can pull the horse's head to the left or the right, and direct the way the horse is going.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_teeth If the horse is able to work the bit out of that notch, and get the bit where he can clench it between his teeth, the rider will lose control of the horse, and the horse will be able to go wherever he wishes to go, not in the direction the rider wants him to go.
teeth" means to seize control and take aggressive action.
From: bsdds@comcast.net . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/28/2010 2:20:00 PM IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII As a retired dentist from Texas, I know what it means and suspect the origin is to control "intolerant" behavior. Bits are devices placed in a horse's mouth to communicate directions from the rider and generally attached to a bridle . It does not restrict movement necessarily and the reference champing (not chomping) at the bit is a description of a horse that is impatient and "ready for action." Since the Big Book was written in Yankee territory, I suppose is is an English bit!!! Professionally speaking, I do not suggest this literally! :) Bobb Schultz 101A Melbourne Park Circle Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-3924
teeth and back teeth, where the bit of the bridle is placed, so the horse cannot bite down on it or spit it out of his mouth. The reins are attached to the bit, so the rider can pull the horse's head to the left or the right, and direct the way the horse is going.
soft lips when the rider pulls on the reins, and because (just like our lips) the horse's lips are sensitive, the horse moves his head to the left or the right, to keep the bit from hurting him. For full description and pictures, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_teeth If the horse is able to work the bit out of that notch, and get the bit where he can clench it between his teeth, the rider will lose control of the horse, and the horse will be able to go wherever he wishes to go, not in the direction the rider wants him to go.
teeth" means to seize control and take aggressive action.
Strecker
From: Jim Myers . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/26/2010 2:32:00 AM IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII From Shakey Mike and Jim Myers - - - - From: Shakey1aa@aol.com This post is on 2 subjects 1. New Information about another Philadelphian "carrying our message" in this case to India 2 Dr Edward A Strecker- Alcohol-One Man's Meat I am leaving next week to go to India to speak at "The Convention in The Clouds Shimla ,India. 6600 feet up in the Himalayas. I have been honored to be asked to be the speaker there at the 75th Anniversary of AA. Our Founders day. I will be speaking about "Our AA History"; Working the steps as they did before the Big Book was written and showing slides of AA interest that were sent to me by AAHL members as well as other sources. ( silkworth.net and hindsfoot.org etc) Michelle, our GSO Archivist, has sent me information that a man from Philadelphia,PA in 1941 contacted New York about AA and corresponded with
Ruth Hock after reading about AA in the Saturday Evening Post Jack Alexander article that was spearheaded by Jimmy Burwell and the members of the Philadelphia Mother Group. This AA Group included Members(alcoholics) as well as
associate members (non Alcoholics) who were doctors, and members of the clergy.
The interesting part of this correspondence from a man referred to L.B.E. is that he got sober with the help of Dr. S. Naturally, any one familiar with AA in Philadelphia would think that Dr. S would be Dr. Dudley Saul of the Saul Clinic and a Associate Member of the Philadelphia Mother Group but this is not so. L.B.E. writes"The last time I was in the USA I saw quite a lot of Dr. S and talked with him quite a bit on the subject. Buddie W and Francis C who works with him, were compatriots of mine in Philadelphia many years ago." I recognized Francis C as Francis Chambers who co authored a significant book about alcoholism called "Alcoholism-One Man's Meat" The Dr S. is therefor Dr. Edward Strecker . A man famous in medicine. A friend to the alcoholic.Some may have heard of the Strecker Institute. The following is the biography of Dr Strecker from the University Of Pennsylvania ; Edward A. Strecker (1886-1959)
Strecker lived each role fully during his active and inspiring career that spanned nearly half a century. After graduating from Jefferson Medical College in 1911, Dr. Strecker joined Pennsylvania Hospital in 1913, serving as chief medical officer at The
Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital from 1920 to 1928, He continued his association with the hospital until his death in 1959. Dr. Strecker served as professor and head of nervous and mental diseases at Jefferson Medical College; professor and head of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and later professor and emeritus professor and
chair of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Medicine. In addition, he was clinical professor of psychiatry and mental diseases at Yale University and was the first professor of psychiatry at Seton
Hall College of Medicine. He was president of the American Psychiatric Association in 1943. He possessed an outstanding ability to examine patients, investigate etiologic and dynamic factors and make accurate diagnoses and constructive recommendations for treatment. A skilled psychotherapist, Dr, Strecker was also
a superb teacher, whose colorful language created an unforgettable clinical picture. He made psychiatry comprehensible and exciting to medical students, psychiatric nurses and other mental health professionals, producing a profound
effect on psychiatric teaching in Philadelphia. Dr. Strecker's main interest in the early 1920's was to develop the psychiatric outpatient department of The Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital. Under his direction, psychotherapy in that department flourished, and many young psychiatrists sought to have the privilege of studying therapeutic approaches from such a highly skilled and innovative clinician. He also sought to relate psychiatry to the general practice of medicine. A prolific writer, he authored ten books and more than 200 papers, on such diverse subjects as alcoholism, childhood behaviors, encephalitis, head trauma, sex offenders, war neuroses, and civilization and culture. he authored
five editions of the best-known standard textbook at that time, Fundamentals of Psychiatry. Many honors were bestowed on Dr. Strecker, including four honorary doctoral degrees. He served the nation in both World War I and World War II, was named a consultant to President Roosevelt and received a presidential citation from President Truman. This outstanding physician and human being serves as a model for psychiatrists and a continuing source of pride for Pennsylvania Hospital." The Institute introduced thousands to A.A. I remember as a 5th year pharmacy student visiting the Institute as one of my rotations. Strecker believed in vitamin therapy and reconditioning the alcoholic physically and nutritionally. The book Alcohol One Man's meat is an excellent book on our disease. It was published in 1939. India Archives is unaware of this 1st contact to AA. Ruth Hock wrote back July 25,1941 and "expressed her surprise and encouragement that the message of A.A. has been carried as far as India." This put A.A. in India prior to the established year 1956. The 5 pages of information from GSO on AA in India will be presented to them on June 10th ; The 75th anniversary of AA. Any AAHL who would want copies of this information will find it available online on Silkworth.net after my return. Jim M, Mitchell K and myself will attempt to list the history of AA in every country of the world on silkworth.net. Any help by AAHL members on the histories of each country would
be greatly appreciated. Yours in Service, Shakey Mike Gwirtz Philadelphia, PA USA - - - - From: jim.myers56@yahoo.com (jim.myers56 at yahoo.com) I would like to thank Mike for this posting. As Mike has shown, he has come up with a piece of AA history that corrects that which was previously know -
namely that of communication about Alcoholics Anonymous in the Country of India
prior to the established year of 1956. I'm sure you can see the significance of this piece of AA history - accuaracy! I'm sure I would be speeking for both,
Mitchell and Mike as well as many others who has an interest in AA's history,
that it is very important to document AA's history, where ever it may be in the
world, as accuarte as possible. It has been my intention to document AA history
on silkworth.net as accuarately as I possibly can, regardless of where or what
that AA history may be, and along the way, I have had to update/correct some AA history on the site, and I'm sure there will be more updating of such information.  I would like to touch on the subject that Mike has brought up - that of documenting Global Localized Alcoholics Anonymous History. There is no doubt
about it. This will be quite an undertaking - to document Alcoholics Anonymous history from Country's around the Globe. Yüklə 25,47 Mb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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