As We Understood

The phrase “God as we understood Him” in the 11th Step (and throughout the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous) is a cornerstone of the program’s inclusivity and accessibility. It acknowledges that individuals come to AA with diverse beliefs, or no belief at all, about a higher power. Here’s a breakdown of what it means:

• Personal Interpretation: It emphasizes a personal and subjective understanding of a higher power. Each individual is free to define “God” or “higher power” in a way that resonates with them. This could be a traditional concept of God, but it could also be:
  
  • A secular interpretation: the power of the group, nature, the universe, collective wisdom, or even a commitment to principles like honesty, love, and service.
  • A moral compass: An inner sense of right and wrong.
  • Anything that provides guidance, strength, and hope.
• Inclusivity: It avoids imposing a specific religious doctrine or dogma. AA recognizes that requiring adherence to a particular religious belief would alienate many people struggling with alcoholism.
• Focus on Spirituality: It shifts the focus from rigid religious structures to a personal spiritual connection. This connection is meant to be a source of strength, guidance, and support in overcoming addiction.
• Evolution: “As we understood Him” implies that one’s understanding of a higher power can evolve and change over time. As individuals grow in their recovery, their perspective may shift and deepen.
• Humility: It encourages humility and openness. It acknowledges that we don’t have all the answers and that there may be forces greater than ourselves at work.

Practical Implications:

• No pressure to conform: Newcomers are not pressured to adopt anyone else’s beliefs. They are encouraged to explore what a higher power means to them.
• Open-mindedness: Members are encouraged to remain open-minded about their own understanding of a higher power and to respect the beliefs (or non-beliefs) of others.
• Action-oriented: The emphasis is on action (prayer and meditation) rather than intellectual debate or theological arguments.

God as we understood Hi is a is essential to AA’s effectiveness because it provides a framework for spiritual growth that is both personal and inclusive. It allows individuals from all backgrounds to find a source of strength and guidance in their recovery journey, without requiring them to abandon their existing beliefs or embrace a specific religious doctrine.

The use of the past tense, “as we understood Him,” is significant. It’s not “as we understand Him,” but “as we understood Him.” Here’s what that implies:

• Looking Back: It acknowledges that one’s understanding of a higher power is a journey, not a destination. It encourages reflecting on how your perception of a higher power has changed over time. What did you believe when you first came into AA? How has that evolved through experience, prayer, and meditation?
• Growth and Change: The past tense suggests that your initial understanding may have been limited or incomplete. As you work the steps, particularly the 11th Step, your understanding deepens and expands. What you understood in the beginning might be very different from what you understand now.
• Humility (Again): It subtly reminds us that our current understanding is likely still incomplete. It discourages arrogance or the belief that we have all the answers. Just as our past understanding changed, so too might our present understanding evolve in the future.
• Personal Inventory and Reflection: The use of the past tense encourages a continuous process of self-examination and spiritual growth. By reflecting on how our understanding has changed, we can gain insights into our personal journey and identify areas where we can continue to grow.

Contrasting the 3rd and 11th Step:

While both Steps use the past tense “understood,” there’s a difference in emphasis:

• 3rd Step: The focus is on making a decision based on the imperfect understanding you have at the time. It’s the beginning of surrender.
• 11th Step: The focus is on improving your conscious contact through prayer and meditation, reflecting on how your understanding has changed and deepened over time. It’s about ongoing maintenance and spiritual growth.

In short, “as we understood Him” in the 3rd Step isn’t a fixed definition but rather a placeholder, representing the best understanding we had at that crucial moment when we made the decision to turn our will and our lives over to a power greater than ourselves. It acknowledges imperfection, emphasizes action, and sets the stage for continued spiritual growth.

The beauty of “God as we understood Him” is that the definition is intensely personal and subjective. However, to give you a sense of the vast range of possibilities, here are some potential definitions that individuals might use within the context of AA, ranging from traditional to secular:

Traditional/Religious (and Related Spiritual) Perspectives:

• Theistic God: The traditional Judeo-Christian-Islamic concept of a monotheistic, all-powerful, all-knowing, and benevolent creator and sustainer of the universe.
• Deistic God: A creator God who set the universe in motion but does not actively intervene in its affairs.
• Polytheistic Gods/Deities: For those from polytheistic traditions, the concept of a pantheon of gods and goddesses, each with their own domains and powers.
• Specific Religious Deities/Figures: Individuals may identify with specific deities or revered figures from their religious background (e.g., Jesus Christ, Allah, Krishna). This category is for those who are considered deities or objects of worship within a specific religious context.
• Buddhist Perspectives on “Higher Power”: While Buddhism generally does not focus on a creator God or deities, some individuals within a Buddhist framework might understand “higher power” in the following ways:
  
  • Buddha-Nature: The inherent potential for enlightenment and compassion within all beings. This is not a god, but a fundamental quality.
  • The Dharma: The teachings of the Buddha, seen as a guiding principle for living a moral and meaningful life. This can provide structure and direction similar to a higher power.
  • The Sangha: The community of practitioners, offering support, guidance, and a sense of belonging. The collective wisdom of the community.
  • Enlightened Beings (Bodhisattvas): While not gods, Bodhisattvas are beings who have vowed to postpone their own enlightenment to help others. They can be seen as sources of inspiration and guidance. Some branches of Buddhism revere these figures.

In essence, the “as we understood Him” (past tense) is a subtle but powerful reminder that the spiritual journey in AA is a process of continuous learning, growth, and evolution. It is a testament to the idea that our understanding of a higher power is never fixed or static, but rather something that deepens and expands as we continue to work the steps and live a life of recovery.