12 Step Meetings must not allow cult recruitment
Posted by:
corboy
()
Date: December 17, 2014 01:44AM
Friends, a well run Alanon, AA, Overeater's Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous
etc meeting must never be a place where one is pressured by any one
member or by the entire group to get involved with a guru,
or political movement or and LGAT.
Among the Three Obstacles to Success in Alanon, there is this:
Tradition Six
However, institutions cannot stay healthy unless members
pay attention and *speak up* if someone begins utilizing
the meeting format as a venue for recruitment into some
entity other than the 12 Steps.
Part of this goal is to keep meetings affordable. At most,
one chips in a dollar. People who are cash poor help stack
chairs or greet newcomers.
It poisons the 12 Step ethic when anyone exploits the format
to recruit/proslytize for a commercial group or guru.
People share intimate, often painful details of their lives
and it is **wrong** for someone shilling for a guru or
workshop to target persons who are vulnerable.
Alert the group secretary at once.
If your concerns are not respected, call the Central Office
of the 12 Step group (say, Alanon) and tell someone
at the office that the secretary failed to intervene
when someone tried to use your group to recruit you or someone
else into a non 12 Step 'outside enterprise' such as Course
in Miracles, Byron Katie, Ascended Masters,
Eckhart Tolle, Landmark, to name just a few.
Diversity is respected in genuine 12 Step meetings. It is a giant
red flag if you are pushed to attend only one meeting and
are discouraged from going to other meetings.
Isolating you from outside influences is the first sign of
cult recruitment.
One thing that you will be told in legitimate 12 Step groups,
whether Alanon, Coda, AA, etc is, to go to as many different
meetings as you can.
That way, you can compare meetings, and then
identify a set of meetings that are congenial for you.
You should also be told, up front and immediately, that
if you get a sponsor and things dont work out, you are free
to change sponsors.
Twelve step groups should NEVER do this to you.
The only thing you should see at a meeting is 12 Step literature.
No outside stuff, such as Secret, landmark, Eckhart Tolle,
no Byron Katie, etc.
And no member should ever push a guru or church at you. If they
like the stuff, fine, butthey should not advertise or pressure
others.
Some dont have a clue and need to be reminded of how
the rules work. But if someone is actually using the trustful
environment of the 12 Step scene to market his or her guru or workshop,
this is {i]wrong[/i].
What is supposed to happen (at least in AA is
to put an emphasis on rigorous honesty.
Hidden agendas are not compatible with rigorous honesty.
Here are the 12 Traditions.
[www.google.com]
The Traditiosn form the working
structure, give the ground rules. Many people
in crisis start with the 12 Steps and only later
start learning the Traditions. But to avoid
exploitation, one has to know what the ground
rules -- the actual ground rules are, so one
can tell whether a meeting is on track or going off the rails.
It is out of line for anyone to use a 12 Step group
to recruit for their pet project.
One phrase that originated in the 12 Step meetings
and has since become widespread is 'Take what you
like and leave the rest'.
However, this can only apply in situations
where there are no hidden agendas.
You have to know 'what the rest' is.
You can only know what to pick and what to put aside
if you know what the entire menu is.
In the 12 Step groups, all the teachings are out there
for scrutiny and used by everyone. There are no
concealed teachings kept hidden and disclosed
only to an indoctrinated elite.
12 step meetings rely on an honor system. This makes them
vulnerable to exploitation/infiltration unless
members are taught from the start about the 12 Traditions
along with the 12 Steps.
Two, 12 Step must never be used to push a particular
religion, ideology, or political stance.
Three, 12 Step must be forever non professional.
leadership of a group (being its secretary0
is supposed to be time limited, so
that everyone can share service commitments
and avoid problems of dominence.
"Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do
not govern."
Money is kept to a minimum to avoid problems
of 'property, money and prestige'.
[www.aa.org]
any opinion on outside contro
versial issues–particularly t
hose of politics, alcohol
reform, or sectarian religion. The Al
coholics Anonymous groups oppose no one.
Concerning such matters they
can express no views whatever. [/quote]
Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 12/22/2014 04:44AM by corboy.
etc meeting must never be a place where one is pressured by any one
member or by the entire group to get involved with a guru,
or political movement or and LGAT.
Among the Three Obstacles to Success in Alanon, there is this:
Quote
1. Discussions of Religion: Al?Anon is not allied with any sect or denomination. It is a spiritual program, based on no particular form of religion. Everyone is welcome, no matter what affiliation or none. Let us not defeat our purpose by entering into discussions concerning specific religious beliefs.
Tradition Six
Quote
Our...12 Step Groups ought never endorse, finance or lend our name to any outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary spiritual aim
However, institutions cannot stay healthy unless members
pay attention and *speak up* if someone begins utilizing
the meeting format as a venue for recruitment into some
entity other than the 12 Steps.
Part of this goal is to keep meetings affordable. At most,
one chips in a dollar. People who are cash poor help stack
chairs or greet newcomers.
It poisons the 12 Step ethic when anyone exploits the format
to recruit/proslytize for a commercial group or guru.
People share intimate, often painful details of their lives
and it is **wrong** for someone shilling for a guru or
workshop to target persons who are vulnerable.
Alert the group secretary at once.
If your concerns are not respected, call the Central Office
of the 12 Step group (say, Alanon) and tell someone
at the office that the secretary failed to intervene
when someone tried to use your group to recruit you or someone
else into a non 12 Step 'outside enterprise' such as Course
in Miracles, Byron Katie, Ascended Masters,
Eckhart Tolle, Landmark, to name just a few.
Quote
This organization advertises itself as a 12-step recovery program to the public, but in reality, it is a 'deliverance ministry' based on Peter Wagners NAR agenda.
Diversity is respected in genuine 12 Step meetings. It is a giant
red flag if you are pushed to attend only one meeting and
are discouraged from going to other meetings.
Isolating you from outside influences is the first sign of
cult recruitment.
One thing that you will be told in legitimate 12 Step groups,
whether Alanon, Coda, AA, etc is, to go to as many different
meetings as you can.
That way, you can compare meetings, and then
identify a set of meetings that are congenial for you.
You should also be told, up front and immediately, that
if you get a sponsor and things dont work out, you are free
to change sponsors.
Twelve step groups should NEVER do this to you.
The only thing you should see at a meeting is 12 Step literature.
No outside stuff, such as Secret, landmark, Eckhart Tolle,
no Byron Katie, etc.
And no member should ever push a guru or church at you. If they
like the stuff, fine, butthey should not advertise or pressure
others.
Some dont have a clue and need to be reminded of how
the rules work. But if someone is actually using the trustful
environment of the 12 Step scene to market his or her guru or workshop,
this is {i]wrong[/i].
What is supposed to happen (at least in AA is
to put an emphasis on rigorous honesty.
Hidden agendas are not compatible with rigorous honesty.
Here are the 12 Traditions.
[www.google.com]
The Traditiosn form the working
structure, give the ground rules. Many people
in crisis start with the 12 Steps and only later
start learning the Traditions. But to avoid
exploitation, one has to know what the ground
rules -- the actual ground rules are, so one
can tell whether a meeting is on track or going off the rails.
It is out of line for anyone to use a 12 Step group
to recruit for their pet project.
One phrase that originated in the 12 Step meetings
and has since become widespread is 'Take what you
like and leave the rest'.
However, this can only apply in situations
where there are no hidden agendas.
You have to know 'what the rest' is.
You can only know what to pick and what to put aside
if you know what the entire menu is.
In the 12 Step groups, all the teachings are out there
for scrutiny and used by everyone. There are no
concealed teachings kept hidden and disclosed
only to an indoctrinated elite.
12 step meetings rely on an honor system. This makes them
vulnerable to exploitation/infiltration unless
members are taught from the start about the 12 Traditions
along with the 12 Steps.
Two, 12 Step must never be used to push a particular
religion, ideology, or political stance.
Three, 12 Step must be forever non professional.
leadership of a group (being its secretary0
is supposed to be time limited, so
that everyone can share service commitments
and avoid problems of dominence.
"Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do
not govern."
Money is kept to a minimum to avoid problems
of 'property, money and prestige'.
[www.aa.org]
any opinion on outside contro
versial issues–particularly t
hose of politics, alcohol
reform, or sectarian religion. The Al
coholics Anonymous groups oppose no one.
Concerning such matters they
can express no views whatever. [/quote]
Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 12/22/2014 04:44AM by corboy.
Your Human Rights in 12 Step Meetings
Posted by:
corboy
()
Date: December 17, 2014 02:01AM
(This is not official 12 Step literature)
* You have the right to attend as many different meetings
as you like. Often, this is recommended. At one venue,
the meeting environment may be just right; another
meeting venue may not quite feel right. Its like
trying on shoes. Find something that
is a good fit.
*Dont let someone pressure you or love bomb you to attend
their meeting. You gotta take care of you.
*You have the right *not* to give out your contact
information.
* 'No' is a complete sentence.
* Just because someone tells you all about themselves
does not obligate you to disclose the same amount of
info about yourself.
*If one meeting starts to feel icky' and the secretary
fails to respect your concerns, you are free to leave
that meeting and find one where you feel safe.
* You are not responsible for your sponsor's moods. That is
their business. In fact, you are not responsible for
anyone's moods.
(In early recovery, people's nerves may be raw. Nevertheless,
you are not there to be someone else's puke basin. When
in doubt, walk away.)
*You have the right to change sponsors, especially if your
gut feeling is sounding an alarm. Only select a sponsor
after you have seen that person show up for a long time
and see that otherse vouch for the person. Someone
humble. Be a bit careful around overly eloquent, soulful
talking people.
Yet..even if someone has a great reputation, if you dont feel
right and your gut is sounding an alarm, you are free to change
sponsors.
*Watch out people who tell long, long,long conversations where
you risk missing your own appointments, especially
if you get dizzy listening to all the details. Sometimes
a person is just plain confused, and their confusion is contagious.
In some cases, a person may be trying to blindside you with
Too Much Information. (TMI) Just get away from the person.
You want to feel grounded after a meeting, not bewitched,
bothered and bewildered.
* You are under zero obligation to disclose your
finances or other intimate information. One friend taught this
rejoinder: "That question does not deserve an answer."
* Some con artists do target 12 step groups, especially Alanon
and Codependants Anonymous. They will edge you into
corner and guilt trip you to give them money or a place to
stay. Or tell a sorrowful story, do the big Puppy Dog Eyes
number. Do not allow yourself to be guilt tripped. 12 Step
groups are supposed to be hustle free zones, not con artist
or panhandler zones. Tell the group secretary. If the
secretary refuses to take action, go to another meeting.
*Some pick up artists (PUAs) will frequent 12 Step groups.
This is known as '13th Stepping'.
You are under no obligation to 'put out'. Wise sponsors
will advise you to avoid dating during your first year of
recovery, as love or lust affairs can be serious distractions
when recovery is fragile. (It should be noted that some sexualized
people are not PUAs, just immature and have not yet learned other
ways to relate. Learn to beware of and avoid sexually
chaotic 'sticky' people.)
**If someone accuses you of being a prude, that is their
shit talking.
Do not engage.
your display of boundary ethics will annoy PUAs and less
mature persons. They will try to throw you off balance.
Ignore 'em and walk away.
* Some persons will gossip about other members,
making it seem all the rest of the group are poseurs or
mentally ill. Avoid gossipy sourballs.( One day,
they may gossip about you. ) Keep your
ears open and identify the people who are unpretentious,truthful
humble. Be a bit wary about people who exude drama or
seem to put on a show.
* "No" is a complete sentence
* If someone dares ask you intimate questions you can say
"That question does not deserve an answer."
Then walk away.
* Some persons abuse meetings by proslytizing for their favorite
guru. This may be a fleeting infatuation, or the person may
be a pimp for a guru who preys on vulnerable persons. Either way, this proslytizing violates the 12 Traditions.
No person in a 12 step group should push you to get involved
with any religion, political project or workshop that is not
12 Step. No person in a 12 Step meeting should push you to
get involved with a guru, a workshop or a book, especially if
you have to pay money. Beware of people who pounce on you
right after you have shared something sensitive and you're weepy.
* No 12 Step meeting should be co-opted to be a front for a cult or
religion. Some do become so. A friend told me of one such group.
They were nicknamed "The Pod People'.
* Be cautious about meetings full of high prestige persons
where a lot of networking goes on and where everyone keeps
their snouts buried in their telephones. (This is
said to happen in the glitzier areas of L.A. and Beverly Hills.
In solid meetings people turn off the gadgets and listen. And they
take a break from the rat race.
* Drug dealers may frequent recovery venues. After all,
they are opportunists.
* Some persons with severe psychological conditions
attend 12 Step meetings, though may be unable to work
the program. 12 Step groups are welcoming. However,
for your own welfare, feel free to trust your gut and
if someone seems to be in too much chaos, seems to
come back time after time with the same tale of chaos,
you are within your rights to step back. Some persons
can be helped only by social worker, and one with training
and who is part of an entire team.
Social workers do not, if wise, give out their home
addresses and contact information.
You yourself are free to exercise your own caution in
choosing whom to give that information to.
Never let yourself be guilt tripped into anything.
*You have the right to trust your gut instincts
even if you cannot give a verbal explanation why
you feel misgivings.
A large part of recovery is relearning how to identify and
trust one's one's gut feelings.
It is a great task to emerge from social isolation and
overall fear of people while at the same time
coming to understand, to trust
and to recognize when one's gut feelings are sounding
a warning about a specific person, a specific situation.
Unlike paranoia or hypervigilence, which are panoramic
emotions, a gut twinge warning you about a specific person,
a specific situation -- that is worth paying attention
to, even if you dont have evidence.
Dont let any manipulative or bossy person guilt you by claiming
a gut feeling is merely 'a feeling not a fact'.
Treat your gut feeling as a smoke alarm. Get out, get away from
the person or situation. You may get answers much later
on.
A manipulative person may claim, '(your)Feelings are
not facts'. But, to repeat gut feelings -- those special feelings
deep in one's belly -- that is an important warning
system. If you feel your boundaries are being pushed,
TRUST YOUR GUT and get away from whoever is giving you
the creeps.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/2014 01:46AM by corboy.
* You have the right to attend as many different meetings
as you like. Often, this is recommended. At one venue,
the meeting environment may be just right; another
meeting venue may not quite feel right. Its like
trying on shoes. Find something that
is a good fit.
*Dont let someone pressure you or love bomb you to attend
their meeting. You gotta take care of you.
*You have the right *not* to give out your contact
information.
* 'No' is a complete sentence.
* Just because someone tells you all about themselves
does not obligate you to disclose the same amount of
info about yourself.
*If one meeting starts to feel icky' and the secretary
fails to respect your concerns, you are free to leave
that meeting and find one where you feel safe.
* You are not responsible for your sponsor's moods. That is
their business. In fact, you are not responsible for
anyone's moods.
(In early recovery, people's nerves may be raw. Nevertheless,
you are not there to be someone else's puke basin. When
in doubt, walk away.)
*You have the right to change sponsors, especially if your
gut feeling is sounding an alarm. Only select a sponsor
after you have seen that person show up for a long time
and see that otherse vouch for the person. Someone
humble. Be a bit careful around overly eloquent, soulful
talking people.
Yet..even if someone has a great reputation, if you dont feel
right and your gut is sounding an alarm, you are free to change
sponsors.
*Watch out people who tell long, long,long conversations where
you risk missing your own appointments, especially
if you get dizzy listening to all the details. Sometimes
a person is just plain confused, and their confusion is contagious.
In some cases, a person may be trying to blindside you with
Too Much Information. (TMI) Just get away from the person.
You want to feel grounded after a meeting, not bewitched,
bothered and bewildered.
* You are under zero obligation to disclose your
finances or other intimate information. One friend taught this
rejoinder: "That question does not deserve an answer."
* Some con artists do target 12 step groups, especially Alanon
and Codependants Anonymous. They will edge you into
corner and guilt trip you to give them money or a place to
stay. Or tell a sorrowful story, do the big Puppy Dog Eyes
number. Do not allow yourself to be guilt tripped. 12 Step
groups are supposed to be hustle free zones, not con artist
or panhandler zones. Tell the group secretary. If the
secretary refuses to take action, go to another meeting.
*Some pick up artists (PUAs) will frequent 12 Step groups.
This is known as '13th Stepping'.
You are under no obligation to 'put out'. Wise sponsors
will advise you to avoid dating during your first year of
recovery, as love or lust affairs can be serious distractions
when recovery is fragile. (It should be noted that some sexualized
people are not PUAs, just immature and have not yet learned other
ways to relate. Learn to beware of and avoid sexually
chaotic 'sticky' people.)
**If someone accuses you of being a prude, that is their
shit talking.
Do not engage.
your display of boundary ethics will annoy PUAs and less
mature persons. They will try to throw you off balance.
Ignore 'em and walk away.
* Some persons will gossip about other members,
making it seem all the rest of the group are poseurs or
mentally ill. Avoid gossipy sourballs.( One day,
they may gossip about you. ) Keep your
ears open and identify the people who are unpretentious,truthful
humble. Be a bit wary about people who exude drama or
seem to put on a show.
* "No" is a complete sentence
* If someone dares ask you intimate questions you can say
"That question does not deserve an answer."
Then walk away.
* Some persons abuse meetings by proslytizing for their favorite
guru. This may be a fleeting infatuation, or the person may
be a pimp for a guru who preys on vulnerable persons. Either way, this proslytizing violates the 12 Traditions.
No person in a 12 step group should push you to get involved
with any religion, political project or workshop that is not
12 Step. No person in a 12 Step meeting should push you to
get involved with a guru, a workshop or a book, especially if
you have to pay money. Beware of people who pounce on you
right after you have shared something sensitive and you're weepy.
* No 12 Step meeting should be co-opted to be a front for a cult or
religion. Some do become so. A friend told me of one such group.
They were nicknamed "The Pod People'.
* Be cautious about meetings full of high prestige persons
where a lot of networking goes on and where everyone keeps
their snouts buried in their telephones. (This is
said to happen in the glitzier areas of L.A. and Beverly Hills.
In solid meetings people turn off the gadgets and listen. And they
take a break from the rat race.
* Drug dealers may frequent recovery venues. After all,
they are opportunists.
* Some persons with severe psychological conditions
attend 12 Step meetings, though may be unable to work
the program. 12 Step groups are welcoming. However,
for your own welfare, feel free to trust your gut and
if someone seems to be in too much chaos, seems to
come back time after time with the same tale of chaos,
you are within your rights to step back. Some persons
can be helped only by social worker, and one with training
and who is part of an entire team.
Social workers do not, if wise, give out their home
addresses and contact information.
You yourself are free to exercise your own caution in
choosing whom to give that information to.
Never let yourself be guilt tripped into anything.
*You have the right to trust your gut instincts
even if you cannot give a verbal explanation why
you feel misgivings.
A large part of recovery is relearning how to identify and
trust one's one's gut feelings.
It is a great task to emerge from social isolation and
overall fear of people while at the same time
coming to understand, to trust
and to recognize when one's gut feelings are sounding
a warning about a specific person, a specific situation.
Unlike paranoia or hypervigilence, which are panoramic
emotions, a gut twinge warning you about a specific person,
a specific situation -- that is worth paying attention
to, even if you dont have evidence.
Dont let any manipulative or bossy person guilt you by claiming
a gut feeling is merely 'a feeling not a fact'.
Treat your gut feeling as a smoke alarm. Get out, get away from
the person or situation. You may get answers much later
on.
A manipulative person may claim, '(your)Feelings are
not facts'. But, to repeat gut feelings -- those special feelings
deep in one's belly -- that is an important warning
system. If you feel your boundaries are being pushed,
TRUST YOUR GUT and get away from whoever is giving you
the creeps.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/2014 01:46AM by corboy.
Individually, members have leeway
Posted by:
corboy
()
Date: December 21, 2014 07:27AM
The nice thing about 12 Step groups is that individuals have leeway
to find spiritual resources that suit them best.
In larger cities and towns, there are fellowships for
freethinkers and atheists.
This said, while an individual may find benefit in following
a guru or some type of human potential project that is not 12 Step,
that member should not aggressively push his or her
preference at other members, especially not push this
at new members.
If someone bursts with ecstatic loyality to
a guru or group, they may be on a temporary high -- or
be a full bore recruiter.
Such a person may be told, kindly that this is not in line
with the Traditions. If the person cannot heed this and
becomes yet more obstreperous, persons at that meeting must
take a firm stance in setting limits.
The newcomer is the most important
person in the room. Someone on a proselytizing kick may scare
newcomers away. This is as bad form as to open a bottle of vodka at an AA
meeting.
Addiction to a guru or human potential group is as
real an addiction as to a chemical.
Worse, in a way, because addiction to a person
doesnt lead to built in consequences such as
hangovers, liver damage, or being kicked out of bars.
No true spiritual teacher should EVER allow his or her personality
or story to become an intoxicant, and a true teacher
will firmly discourage that sort of adulation.
Any guru who allows or worse encourages addictive
adulation is massaging the same ecstacy pathways in
the brain that are activated by cocaine or speed.
The result is to become enslaved.
.
Replacing addiction to a substance with process addiction
to a guru is to fall back into the same trap.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/23/2015 01:11AM by corboy.
to find spiritual resources that suit them best.
In larger cities and towns, there are fellowships for
freethinkers and atheists.
This said, while an individual may find benefit in following
a guru or some type of human potential project that is not 12 Step,
that member should not aggressively push his or her
preference at other members, especially not push this
at new members.
If someone bursts with ecstatic loyality to
a guru or group, they may be on a temporary high -- or
be a full bore recruiter.
Such a person may be told, kindly that this is not in line
with the Traditions. If the person cannot heed this and
becomes yet more obstreperous, persons at that meeting must
take a firm stance in setting limits.
The newcomer is the most important
person in the room. Someone on a proselytizing kick may scare
newcomers away. This is as bad form as to open a bottle of vodka at an AA
meeting.
Addiction to a guru or human potential group is as
real an addiction as to a chemical.
Worse, in a way, because addiction to a person
doesnt lead to built in consequences such as
hangovers, liver damage, or being kicked out of bars.
No true spiritual teacher should EVER allow his or her personality
or story to become an intoxicant, and a true teacher
will firmly discourage that sort of adulation.
Any guru who allows or worse encourages addictive
adulation is massaging the same ecstacy pathways in
the brain that are activated by cocaine or speed.
The result is to become enslaved.
.
Replacing addiction to a substance with process addiction
to a guru is to fall back into the same trap.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/23/2015 01:11AM by corboy.
Re: 12 Step Meetings must not allow cult recruitment
Posted by:
LCayanne
()
Date: February 20, 2015 01:54PM
I just wanted to thank you for posting this. I stumbled across it after spending many hours reading up on a local group I was recently invited to and had not heard of by name. (Turns out I actually had heard about the group in an alanon meeting - just not by name and cryptically to maintain traditions during a share- and in fellowship) I have heard about 5-6 groups listed in this forum mentioned in meetings throughout the years around LA and at times almost seems like a social way to fit in for newcomers. This occurs more often in fellowship or one on one conversations then directly in any meetings Ive attended at least. I do notice I can usually tell what group it is as this point though from the langauge and/or location. Often members may suggest to other members what has worked for them, and there are certainly aspects of taking on a spiritual path outside of the rooms that can benefit recovery. A key aspect of a 12 step program is to be focused on the primary goal of recovery - and while serenity and spiritual peace are often found, in my opinion a lot of that has more to with acceptance and being present with the ups and downs. Cross -Addiction and seeking a quicker fix in some ways can be just as much of a chase and a high as whatever brought one into a room and even a distraction from truly taking advantage of the resources within the rooms.
All of that said, I am also aware many people would define a 12 step program as a cult, however there is actually a lot of transparency and significant less financial plushness in most meetings from the 7th tradition compared to many groups (based on how many are closing/moving due to lack of funds)
All of that said, I am also aware many people would define a 12 step program as a cult, however there is actually a lot of transparency and significant less financial plushness in most meetings from the 7th tradition compared to many groups (based on how many are closing/moving due to lack of funds)
Re: 12 Step Meetings must not allow cult recruitment
Posted by:
LaurenRose
()
Date: February 28, 2015 03:44AM
I can understand that people who attend 12 step meetings would be feeling vulnerable and be seeking something new to latch on to, to help them in their journeys to be better people. They would be easy to take advantage of. Although legitimate, simple meditation or breathing exercises could be genuinely beneficial. I hope this type of manipulation isn't commonplace.
Re: 12 Step Meetings must not allow cult recruitment
Posted by:
b.f.m.
()
Date: March 04, 2015 02:22AM
AA meetings seem to be one of the few successful treatment programs out there - it has helped so many of my friends and several are my friends are group leaders. I have a lot of respect for their methods. Entering meditation and breathing techniques into the meetings would also add to their success rate and many people might like these practices at the meeting and at home. The format of the meetings should not change, and people looking for followers should not be allowed to in any way manipulate people on their way to recovery.
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