THE DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL
What is a Transformation Cycle? How does it work? What's in it for me? As spiritual beings in a human experience, condition we pass through many different types of cycles at every level. The Transformation Cycle we are addressing here often comes into play in the departure of many of our members from our Program or life.(See Al's Spiritual Transformation Workshop)
A spiritual transformation, which is one of the greatest fulfillment we can experience in this human condition and one of the most fearful, painful and dangerous experiences we can have, sometimes it proves to be fatal. At some point in our life experience everything stops working, this time called by some the Dark Night Of The Soul. Our fighting or resisting the natural cycle can cause great problems, fear, anger, depression, destructive acting out or turn on one's self. The more we try to live on yesterday's bread – experience, the more pain, frustration, anger and fear. This is a time; I believe that many of us do destructive things to ourselves and others or just drift away never to return.
When an important area or perhaps everything stops working ask yourself the following two questions:
1. Am I doing something I should not be doing? If your answer is no, move on. If your answer is yes, stop it for a while and see if that helps.
2. Am I not doing something I should be doing? If your answer is no, move on. If the answer is yes, take whatever action you need to and see if that helps. If there is no real change you may be entering a transformation cycle.
IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS:
1. Our Higher Power or Higher-Self will direct and guide us if we are willing to surrender. Pain comes from our resistance – so let go and let our Father guide us Home.
2. The A.A. Program based on Spiritual Principles and will work if we are able to live it. If we are going through a natural transformation cycle it does not mean the Program isn't working, it means we are going through a way of transformation. When winter rolls around we could find ways to accept it and even enjoy the short, cold, dark days until spring comes around. The four seasons come and go – so it is with this time of transformation.
3. It is so very important that we do not stop the basics:
4. Keep going to our meetings (set a minimum)
5. Keep trying to help others (get out of yourself)
6. Keep turning to your Higher Power (no matter how useless it feels)
7. Keep reading some Program books (even if it is only a line or two)
8. Don't withdraw (Spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, socially)
9. Talk about what you are going through in meetings or someone in recovery