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    Spiritual Transformation in the Twelve Steps
    Spiritual Transformation in the Twelve Steps
    Spiritual Transformation in the Twelve Steps
    Ebook85 pages1 hour

    Spiritual Transformation in the Twelve Steps

    By Darlene Lancer JD LMFT

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    About this ebook

    The Twelve Steps of Twelve-Step programs can be used to attain spiritual transformation and unshackle the true self from the constraints of the ego. Codependency expert Darlene Lancer describes how each of the Twelve Steps should be practiced and is so designed to achieve this spiritual awakening.
    The Twelve Steps are based upon universal principles, which provide an effective model for living. “Working the steps” not only frees you of addiction, but also a holds the promise of a personality transformation, attested to by thousands of members of Twelve-Step programs. Incorporating concepts of Carl Jung, Lancer provides an in-depth examination of each step from a psycho-spiritual point of view. The result is the same whether or not one has a traditional view of God or is an atheist.
    Renowned psychiatrist Carl Jung had a major influence on the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill Wilson. Jung believed that each person has a personal journey of transformation to enable expression of his or her innate potential. Jung felt that this transformation involved replacing the ego with the larger Self as the driving force of one’s life and that spirit replacing spirits could cure alcoholism.
    Darlene Lancer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and author of "Codependency for Dummies" and "Conquering Shame and Codependency: 8 Steps to Freeing the True You." See her other ebooks: "10 Steps to Self-Esteem: The Ultimate Guide to Stop Self-Criticism," "How To Speak Your Mind - Become Assertive and Set Limits," and a daily reader, "Codependency Recovery Daily Reflections."

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDarlene Lancer JD LMFT
    Release dateOct 4, 2014
    ISBN9781311240262
    Spiritual Transformation in the Twelve Steps
    Author

    Darlene Lancer JD LMFT

    Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT is a marriage and family therapist. She is a relationship expert and author of "Codependency for Dummies" and "Conquering Codependency and Shame: 8 Steps to Freeing the True You," as well as five ebooks. Ms. Lancer has counseled individuals and couples for 30 years and coaches internationally. She’s a sought after speaker at national conferences, in media, and to professional groups and institutions. Her articles have been published widely in professional and popular periodicals. More information about her seminars and coaching packages are available on her website, http://www.whatiscodependency.com, where you can subscribe to her blogs and get a free copy of “14 Tips for Letting Go.” Find her on http://www.youtube.com, Twitter @darlenelancer, and http://Facebook.com/codependencyrecoveryHer articles have been published widely in professional and popular periodicals. You can find her blogs at www.WhatisCodependency.com and www.Darlenelancer.com. More information about her seminars and coaching packages are available on her website, www.whatiscodependency.com.

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      Book preview

      Spiritual Transformation in the Twelve Steps - Darlene Lancer JD LMFT

      Spiritual Transformation in

      the Twelve Steps

      Darlene Lancer

      ©2014 Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT

      Smashwords Edition

      The Twelve Steps are from Al-Anon’s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, copyright 2005, by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Permission to reprint this excerpt does not mean that Al Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. has reviewed or approved the contents of this publication, or that Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. necessarily agrees with the views expressed herein. Al-Anon is a program of recovery for families and friends of alcoholics—use of this excerpt in any non Al-Anon context does not imply endorsement or affiliation by Al-Anon. The Twelve Steps of Al-Anon as adapted by Al-Anon with permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (AAWS) are reprinted with permission of Al-Anon.

      The excerpt from pages 83-84 from, Alcoholics Anonymous is reprinted with the permission of AAWS. Permission to reprint the foregoing material does not mean that AAWS has reviewed or approved the contents of this publication, or that AAWS necessarily agrees with the views expressed therein. Alcoholics Anonymous is a program of recovery from alcoholism only - use or permissible adaptation of A.A.’s Twelve Steps in connection with programs and activities which are patterned after A.A., but which address other problems, or in any other non-A.A. context, does not imply otherwise.

      The Twelve Promises of Co-Dependents Anonymous may not be reprinted or republished without the express written consent of Co-Dependents Anonymous, Inc. They may be reprinted from the website www.coda.org (CoDA) for use by members of the CoDA Fellowship.

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, including electronic, mechanical, recording, photographic (photocopying), without prior permission in writing from the author.

      The information in this book is intended to be educational and not for diagnosis, prescription, or treatment of any mental health disorder. Without a personal, individual, professional consultation with you, the author is unable to give you professional psychological advice. Hence, you understand that the material contained herein is general in nature, and the author disclaims any personal liability, directly or indirectly for suggestions and information in this book.

      Cover photo © Styleuneed | Dreamstime.com - Man In Light Photo

      Printed in the United States of America

      Learn more at www.darlenelancer.com and www.whatiscodependency.com

      Table of Contents

      Spiritual Transformation in the Twelve Steps

      Carl Jung, The Oxford Group, and Alcoholics Anonymous

      Step 1

      Step 2

      Step 3

      Step 4

      Step 5

      Step 6

      Step 7

      Step 8

      Step 9

      Step 10

      Step 11

      Step 12

      The Promises

      About the Author

      Spiritual Transformation

      in the Twelve Steps

      The Twelve Steps of the Twelve-Step programs suggest principles and guidelines for living that have transformed countless lives for the better. Many codependents had poor role models growing up in codependent, dysfunctional families. They replicate those unhealthy patterns or reject them, but don’t know how to live a constructive life. The steps outline a process of surrender of the ego to the unconscious, God or a higher power, and resemble the process of transformation in Jungian therapy.

      Renowned psychiatrist Carl Jung believed that unity and wholeness of the personality, which generates a sense of acceptance and detachment, occurs when both the conscious and unconscious demands are taken into account – when not the ego, but the Self, is at the center of consciousness. (Anthony Storr, The Essential Jung, 1983, p.19) Jung wrote that his life was a story of the self-realization of the unconscious, and rediscovered, as suggested by the Twelve Steps, that God was a guiding principle of unity. (Storr, pp. 24-25).

      The steps are based upon universal principles, which provide directions to facilitate living from your true Self rather than from an ego run by fear and a need to control. In addition to overcoming addiction, working the steps can spiritually transform your character and personality. The steps in all programs are basically the same, except that the first step may be modified for each addiction. Even though the steps are in numerical order, change and transformation is a nonlinear, cyclical process. I’ve included the Twelve Steps from Al-Anon Family Groups.

      Carl Jung, The Oxford Group,

      and Alcoholics Anonymous

      Carl Jung had a major influence on the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Bill Wilson. Jung believed that each person had innate potential that needed to be expressed, just a caterpillar turns into a butterfly — a metaphor often used by members of Al-Anon as a symbol of transformation. The caterpillar crawls along and hides in its own dark world. It can’t imagine becoming a beautiful butterfly that gains wings to fly freely through the world, dispersing pollen from flower to flower, as members similarly open up, spread their wings, and offer hope and help to others members.

      Jung

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