How It Works (2024)

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What chapter is How It Works? ›

P-10 How It Works

An excerpt in large type from Chapter 5 of the Big Book. This page, which includes the Twelve Steps, is often read at the start of meetings.

HOW IT WORKS. Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. There are such unfortunates.

Big Book ASL - Chapter 5 - How It Works

Presents the Twelve Steps — A.A.'s program of recovery — and provides direction on taking Steps One through Four.

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous tells us that we are driven by a hundred forms of fear. That it is “An evil corroding thread.” Again, not necessarily phobias, but the fear that is driven by our instinctual needs. When we act out of fear, it is commonly due to one of our three basic needs being threatened.

Chapter length averages

On average, chapters tend to range from 1,000-5,000 words, with most falling in the 2,000-4,000 range. But chapters can be much longer or much shorter. There are plenty of bestselling books where some chapters are only a page and some where they don't even use chapters in the traditional sense.

Chapters do not have to be uniform in length. They can be half a page to twelve pages long, though, five to eight pages seems to be the norm in contemporary children's and young adult novels.

Alcoholics Anonymous' Big Book touts about a 50% success rate, stating that another 25% remain sober after some relapses.

Whether you're working on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Al-Anon, or any other program, the most difficult of all the steps is probably step 5. This is the one that asks us to admit "our wrongs" and to do so in front of our higher power and another person.

Step 5 of Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly known as the “Confession” step, encourages members to acknowledge their struggles and whatever harm they caused to themselves and others in pursuit of alcohol. Step 5 of AA reads that one, “admitted to God, to oneself, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”

What is self propulsion AA? ›

Meaning of self-propulsion in English

the ability of something or someone to move using their own power: The vehicle was in such a poor condition that it was completely incapable of self-propulsion. Self-propulsion in a wheelchair during rehabilitation may lead to problems with posture.

God, I offer myself to Thee — to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!

The Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. The prayer emphasizes the core AA principle of acceptance.

68 FEAR – “We ask Him to remove our fear and direct our attention to what He would have us be.”

The gift of faith and the consciousness of a higher power is the outcome. As faith grows, so does inner security. The vast underlying fear of nothingness commences to subside. Therefore we of AA find that our basic antidote for fear is a spiritual awakening.”

Chapter 7 Summary

The houses around Luke's are much larger than Luke's family's house and barn combined. The workers are still finishing the interiors. Luke sometimes sees wealthy-looking families, Barons as Mother and Dad call them, looking at the houses. They all have one or two children.

Chapter 17 Summary

Atlas will soon leave for the military, but he promises that he will find Lily when he gets out. They sleep together and Atlas gives her a Boston souvenir magnet. Not expecting Atlas, Lily hadn't locked her door and after he gives her the gift, Lily's father comes in and assaults Atlas with a bat.

Chapter 6, titled “Into Action”, is in my experience a guide for the steps 5 through 11 in the program we call Alcoholics Anonymous. This chapter, as its title suggests, is all about the recovering alcoholic physically reviewing his wrongdoings and setting them right. In other words, getting into action.

Big Book - Chapter 5 How It Works (pg 64 & top 65)