From: fullerto@cis.ohio-state.edu (timothy dwight fullerton)
Newsgroups: alt.recovery
Subject: Re: 4th Step
Date: 26 Jan 1993 03:01:01 -0500
Organization: The Ohio State University Dept. of Computer and Info. Science
NNTP-Posting-Host: mostaccioli.cis.ohio-state.edu

In article <C1F8on.17z@athena.cs.uga.edu> heath@athena.cs.uga.edu (Terrance Heath) writes:
>
>	I never knew I could squirm so much, but I'm doing it. I'm
>working on my fourth step, as I promised myself I would after reaching
>six months of sobriety. The very fact that I'm able to face so many
>things about myself is a testament to how well the program works. Six
>months ago I wouldn't have dared to try.
>	What I'd like is to hear from other people about how they did
>it. I'm writing my inventory freestyle, because there don't seem to be
>any definite formulas on how to do it. I'm finding my own way and that
>seems to work. It's also what others have reccomended to me. But I
>still want to hear from other people about it.



    Dear Terrance;

    I have done two fourth steps. One was pretty freestyle, and I got 
a  lot out of it. I have to say that you are flat wrong about there not 
being a tangible formula on how to do it. The method in the Big Book
and 12 n 12 is clear and distinct, and I found it to be wonderfully 
effective (although few would say that is the only method to be done).

    Allow me to paraphrase from the Big Book.

from pp. 64 - 70

RESETMENT
Set resentments on paper. Make an array with the columns:


Source          Cause       How am I hurt       How am I 
                            or threatened?      at fault?       




Possible sources of resentment are:
people          
institutions
principles 



Treat the column "How am I hurt or threatened?" as follows.
    
    In this situation...
    How is my self esteem hurt? How is it threatened?
    Repeat these questions for physical, emotional, and financial
    security; ambitions; social relations; and sex relations.
    
    
    
Treat the coulmn "How am I at fault?" as follows:

    In this situation...
    How am I being selfish and self seeking? How am I dishonest? 
    How am I afraid?
    
    *Nice instructions on how to forgive on p. 552*
    
    
    
FEAR
Set fears to paper:

Ask yourself why you have each one.

In what ways has self reliance failed?

    *Nice prayer instructions on p. 68*



SEX

Review past conduct...

For each situation, How were you selfish, dishonest, or inconsiderate?
Who did you hurt? How did you arouse jealousy, suspicion, or bitterness?
Where were you at fault. What should have been done instead?

For sex relations to come, ask: Is it selfish, or not?

    *Nice prayer instructions can be found on p. 70.*
    
I might add that I am the only person I have ever met to enter AA a 
virgin and to endure that state for years of sobriety. Nonetheless, all
of these sex questions were excruciatingly relevant.
    
    
    
   This formula is not as shallow as it might look. If you can go through this 
methodically and honestly and deeply answer each question for each 
resentment, fear, and sex situation, the enlightenment will be nerve 
jangling. Mine was anyway. 


    Good luck;
    
        Tim
-- 
		Tim Fullerton
		fullerto@cis.ohio-state.edu
		75720.142@compuserve.com