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Twelve Steps to Religionless Spirituality
The Power of Spirituality with or without God
Imprint: Cascade Books
The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous provides a spiritual program dramatically distinct from religion. Twelve Step spirituality is based on experience, not doctrine; it is pragmatic, focusing on what works and not on theory; it is centered in a community that is inclusive, welcoming all who desire to stop drinking; it seeks rigorous honesty even when that honesty involves painful questioning; and it centers upon service to the still suffering alcoholic. The power found in working the Steps is transformational, moving participants from despair to hope, from self-focused resentment to concern for others, and from angry efforts to control to gratitude for gifts received. It works for atheists and agnostics, secularists and free thinkers, Christians, Jews, Muslims, and other faiths. At a time when more and more people identify themselves as spiritual but not religious and the traditional religious institutions are in decline in Western culture, Twelve Step spirituality provides insights that can assist in the renewal and reinvigoration of our churches, synagogues, and mosques. In our time of dramatic social polarization, it can provide a foundation for bridging differences. Largely unknown outside the recovery community, this book examines how this transformative program can be relevant to today.
Ward B. Ewing is uniquely qualified to discuss Twelve Step spirituality and religion. He retired as the Dean and President of The General Theological Seminary, New York, in 2010 after twelve years of service there and thirty-one years as a pastor in congregations. He has been involved with Alcoholics Anonymous as a non-alcoholic for over forty years. In 2004 he was elected to serve as a Trustee on the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous for US and Canada, and in 2009 elected to serve as Chair of the Board.
"This book is a generous and accessible call to health and wholeness for individuals and society. Ward Ewing has graced it with honest anecdotes that help the reader identify the power of spirituality in their lives with or without religion. He doesn't pull any punches and there is no condescension. Twelve Steps to Religionless Spirituality is full of experience, strength, and hope."
--Clark Berge, SSF, former minister general for the Society of St. Francis
"Ward Ewing brings to us a lifetime of experience being attentive to human longing, angst, tenderness, and has seen again and again our capacity for transformation. One thing is clear: For all of our differences we seek and long for the same thing. To be seen, loved, accepted. . . . Ward draws our attention to the remarkable work of AA and its understanding of the human condition. Whether you know the twelve steps by heart or are unfamiliar with them and didn't think they applied to you this book is an important read. It reminds us of our capacity for honesty and trust, compassion and regard, love and reconciliation. That is the healing work of AA. That is our healing work together. Our hope is in us."
--Marianne W. Borg, widow of theologian Marcus J. Borg and retired Episcopal priest
"Dr. Ewing elegantly and engagingly gives us an insightful, sustainable, and practical guide to embracing religionless spirituality. A wonderful gift for all of us."
--John A. Fromson, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
"In the training the Industrial Areas Foundation does with leaders of congregations, associations, unions, and other institutions, we often stress this theme: 'all organizing is a process of dis-organizing and reorganizing.' Ward Ewing writes with great feeling and unmatched insight about how that notion applies to a number of institutions in modern society. In his clear-eyed distinctions, his deep appreciation of the creative and spiritual qualities of AA, and his recognition of the work of citizen organizations like the IAF affiliate, South Bronx Churches, he agitates the reader in all the right ways. . . . Ewing demonstrates both range and depth in these pages--which should be read by all those who care about the quality of our societies, local and global, in the decades ahead."
--Mike Gecan, senior advisor, Industrial Areas Foundation
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