--- title: Blog | AA Big Book description: AA Big Book | The Next Step | Weekly Wisdom on Addiction, Recovery, Families, and Everything In-Between --- [![The retreat](https://blog.theretreat.org/hs-fs/file-2373138307-png/TheRetreat-Jan2015_Theme/img/logo.png?width=271&name=logo.png "The retreat")](https://www.theretreat.org/) ON-LINE [Meeting Resources](https://www.myrecovery.org/online-meetings/) EMAIL US [info@theretreat.org](mailto:info@theretreat.org) CALL US [866-928-3434](tel:8669283434) [![ The Retreat ](https://blog.theretreat.org/hs-fs/file-2373138307-png/TheRetreat-Jan2015_Theme/img/logo.png.png?width=460&name=logo.png.png " The Retreat ")](https://www.theretreat.org/) - [About](http://www.theretreat.org/about) - [History](http://www.theretreat.org/about/history) - [Staff](http://www.theretreat.org/staff-and-leadership-team) - [Board of Directors](http://www.theretreat.org/about/board-of-directors) - [FAQs](http://www.theretreat.org/about/faqs) - [Testimonials](http://www.theretreat.org/about/testimonials) - 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[Event Gallery](http://www.theretreat.org/alumni-friends/alumni-event-gallery) - [Kenny’s Recipes](http://www.theretreat.org/alumni-friends/kennys-recipes) - [Golf Extravaganza 2026](http://www.theretreat.org/golf-extravaganza) - [Women in Recovery](http://www.theretreat.org/women-in-recovery) - [Research](http://www.theretreat.org/research) - [Abstinence-Based Recovery](http://www.theretreat.org/research-on-12-step-abstinence-based-recovery) - [Outcome Studies](http://www.theretreat.org/the-retreat-outcome-studies) - [Outcomes](http://www.theretreat.org/research/outcomes) - [Research On 12-Steps](http://www.theretreat.org/research-on-12-step-abstinence-based-recovery) - [Spiritual Direction](http://www.theretreat.org/spiritual-direction) - Media - [Blog](https://blog.theretreat.org) - [Podcast](http://www.theretreat.org/media/podcast) - [Newsroom](http://www.theretreat.org/media/in-the-news) - [Videos](http://www.theretreat.org/media/video-resources) - [Contact](https://info.theretreat.org/contact-us) [NEED HELP NOW?](https://info.theretreat.org/contact-us) ![RetreatBlogBannerImage.jpg](https://blog.theretreat.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Retreat_Blog_Banner_Image_Final.jpg?width=5688&name=Retreat_Blog_Banner_Image_Final.jpg "RetreatBlogBannerImage.jpg") [![](https://blog.theretreat.org/hubfs/How%20is%20Our%20Spiritual%20Maintenance.png)](https://blog.theretreat.org/how-is-our-spiritual-maintenance) ## [How is Our Spiritual Maintenance](https://blog.theretreat.org/how-is-our-spiritual-maintenance) \[fa icon="calendar'\] Jun 17, 2025 9:55:09 AM / by [John MacDougall](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/john-macdougall) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [12 Steps](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/12-steps), [12 steps of aa](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/12-steps-of-aa), [AA Big Book](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-big-book) [\[fa icon="comment"\] 0 Comments](https://blog.theretreat.org/how-is-our-spiritual-maintenance#comments-listing) I have always loved to travel, but I was afraid to fly. To overcome my fear of flying, I took flying lessons at the airport, on a Beechcraft Sport single engine airplane, and got a license. Once I understood airplanes, the FAA, and the air traffic control system, I lost my fear of flying. The keys to the whole system are following directions and doing the maintenance before every single flight. Most pilots are fanatical about maintenance. I have been on airliners where the pilot refused the plane because one toilet wouldn’t work. Everything on that airplane has to be in proper shape or the pilots refuse it. Safety is number one. [Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/how-is-our-spiritual-maintenance) [![](https://blog.theretreat.org/hubfs/We%20Are%20Human%20Souls.png)](https://blog.theretreat.org/we-are-human-souls) ## [We Are Human Souls](https://blog.theretreat.org/we-are-human-souls) \[fa icon="calendar'\] Jan 8, 2025 8:34:10 AM / by [John MacDougall](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/john-macdougall) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [recovery process](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-process), [AA Big Book](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-big-book), [Recovery Program](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-program) [\[fa icon="comment"\] 0 Comments](https://blog.theretreat.org/we-are-human-souls#comments-listing) One of my favorite writers is David Brooks, who writes a column for the New York Times. He normally writes about politics, government, and public affairs. I was surprised to find a column last month about faith. His title was “The Shock of Faith, It’s Nothing Like I Thought It Would Be.” It was published on December 19, 2024, and if you have access to the New York Times website, you can read it there. [Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/we-are-human-souls) [![](https://blog.theretreat.org/hubfs/Carrying%20the%20Message%2c%20Not%20the%20Mess.png)](https://blog.theretreat.org/carrying-the-message-not-the-mess) ## [Carrying the Message, Not the Mess](https://blog.theretreat.org/carrying-the-message-not-the-mess) \[fa icon="calendar'\] Dec 19, 2024 8:46:59 AM / by [Maj Donovan](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/maj-donovan) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [recovery process](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-process), [AA Big Book](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-big-book), [Recovery Program](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-program) [\[fa icon="comment"\] 2 Comments](https://blog.theretreat.org/carrying-the-message-not-the-mess#comments-listing) Step 12:  …we tried to carry this message to alcoholics… [Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/carrying-the-message-not-the-mess) [![](https://blog.theretreat.org/hubfs/What%20is%20a%20Real%20Alcoholic%20.png)](https://blog.theretreat.org/what-is-a-real-alcoholic) ## [What is a Real Alcoholic?](https://blog.theretreat.org/what-is-a-real-alcoholic) \[fa icon="calendar'\] Nov 29, 2024 8:00:00 AM / by [Maj Donovan](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/maj-donovan) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [recovery process](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-process), [AA Big Book](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-big-book), [Recovery Program](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-program) [\[fa icon="comment"\] 9 Comments](https://blog.theretreat.org/what-is-a-real-alcoholic#comments-listing) I started going to recovery meetings when I was 15. I heard in the meetings, “What the hell are you doing here?  I lost my wife, my kids and my job because of my drinking.  What the hell did you ever lose?  [Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/what-is-a-real-alcoholic) [![](https://blog.theretreat.org/hubfs/The%20Plain%20Language%20Big%20Book%20is%20Falling.png)](https://blog.theretreat.org/the-plain-language-big-book-is-falling) ## [The Plain Language Big Book is Falling](https://blog.theretreat.org/the-plain-language-big-book-is-falling) \[fa icon="calendar'\] Apr 30, 2024 10:03:05 AM / by [Maj Donovan](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/maj-donovan) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [AA Big Book](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-big-book), [Recovery Program](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-program) [\[fa icon="comment"\] 14 Comments](https://blog.theretreat.org/the-plain-language-big-book-is-falling#comments-listing) When I was growing up, I learned about Chicken Little who ran around telling everyone that the “Sky is Falling!”  The point of the story was to teach young children not to put too much stock in absurd beliefs\*. I was reminded of this story when I read all the social media chatter about the new Plain Language Big Book that has been approved for publishing by AA World Services.   [Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/the-plain-language-big-book-is-falling) [![](https://blog.theretreat.org/hubfs/Miracles%20-%20Retreat%20MN.png)](https://blog.theretreat.org/miracles) ## [Miracles](https://blog.theretreat.org/miracles) \[fa icon="calendar'\] Oct 20, 2023 8:00:00 AM / by [Maj Donovan](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/maj-donovan) posted in [alcohol addiction](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcohol-addiction), [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [AA meetings](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-meetings), [AA Big Book](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-big-book) [\[fa icon="comment"\] 2 Comments](https://blog.theretreat.org/miracles#comments-listing) “If only you believed in miracles” – Marty Balin    Recently I was discussing the topic of miracles with some friends. We read pages 188-189 in the Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous). The section described AA number three and how he came into the fellowship. The topic and story resonated with all of us. It truly is a miraculous story. [Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/miracles) [![](https://blog.theretreat.org/hubfs/Having%20Had%20a%20Spiritual%20Awakening.png)](https://blog.theretreat.org/having-had-a-spiritual-awakening) ## [“Having Had a Spiritual Awakening”](https://blog.theretreat.org/having-had-a-spiritual-awakening) \[fa icon="calendar'\] Jan 4, 2023 8:00:00 AM / by [Maj Donovan](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/maj-donovan) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [12 Steps](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/12-steps), [alcoholism](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholism), [12 step program](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/12-step-program), [AA Big Book](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-big-book) [\[fa icon="comment"\] 2 Comments](https://blog.theretreat.org/having-had-a-spiritual-awakening#comments-listing) The 12th Step of Alcoholics Anonymous says, “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps…” So, what is this “spiritual awakening” and why is it so crucial to long-term recovery? [Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/having-had-a-spiritual-awakening) [![](https://blog.theretreat.org/hubfs/Fall%20Back%2c%20But%20Dont%20Fall%20Back.png)](https://blog.theretreat.org/fall-back-but-dont-fall-back) ## ["Fall Back, But Don't Fall Back"](https://blog.theretreat.org/fall-back-but-dont-fall-back) \[fa icon="calendar'\] Oct 5, 2022 8:00:00 AM / by [Maj Donovan](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/maj-donovan) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [AA Big Book](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-big-book), [Recovery Program](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-program), [Alcohol & Health](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcohol-health), [Treatment Program](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/treatment-program) [\[fa icon="comment"\] 1 Comment](https://blog.theretreat.org/fall-back-but-dont-fall-back#comments-listing) Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at 2:00 A.M. On Saturday night, clocks are set back one hour (i.e., gaining one hour). This has come to be known as “Fall Back." This event has become part of the fall routine and one which sleep deprived individuals like this blogger look forward to very much. [Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/fall-back-but-dont-fall-back) [![](https://blog.theretreat.org/hubfs/The-Retreat-Post.jpg)](https://blog.theretreat.org/abandon-yourself-to-god) ## [Abandon Yourself to God](https://blog.theretreat.org/abandon-yourself-to-god) \[fa icon="calendar'\] Jul 21, 2022 8:00:00 AM / by [Maj Donovan](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/maj-donovan) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [AA Big Book](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-big-book), [Alcohol & Health](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcohol-health), [Treatment Program](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/treatment-program), [Gratitude](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/gratitude) [\[fa icon="comment"\] 9 Comments](https://blog.theretreat.org/abandon-yourself-to-god#comments-listing) What does it mean to abandon ourselves to God? On page 164 of the book Alcoholics Anonymous we find this explanation. [Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/abandon-yourself-to-god) [![](https://blog.theretreat.org/hubfs/Steps%20Six%20and%20Seven.jpg)](https://blog.theretreat.org/character-defects-steps-six-and-seven) ## [Character Defects: (Steps Six and Seven)](https://blog.theretreat.org/character-defects-steps-six-and-seven) \[fa icon="calendar'\] Jun 29, 2022 8:15:00 AM / by [Maj Donovan](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/maj-donovan) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [12 Steps](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/12-steps), [AA meetings](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-meetings), [AA Big Book](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-big-book), [Alcohol & Health](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcohol-health), [Alcoholism Treatment Program](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholism-treatment-program) [\[fa icon="comment"\] 3 Comments](https://blog.theretreat.org/character-defects-steps-six-and-seven#comments-listing)   [Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/character-defects-steps-six-and-seven) [All posts](https://blog.theretreat.org/all) [Next \[fa icon="angle-double-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-big-book/page/2) ### Subscribe to Email Updates [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/478538/839b1295-222c-440a-a31f-5be26d9a5570.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/478538/839b1295-222c-440a-a31f-5be26d9a5570) - 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