Learning by Osmosis

I am an isolator by nature. When I'm hurting, I withdraw, convinced I have to figure out Step Eleven alone in a dark room. I act as if my spiritual path is a solo expedition through uncharted wilderness, relying solely on my own meager supplies. But the program teaches me that spirituality is often caught, not taught. I learn how to pray by listening to how you pray. I learn how to meditate by watching you sit still despite your chaos.

This is precisely why I need meetings. When I hear a member share, "I was furious at God, so I told Him so," a vibrant lightbulb goes off. We can do that? When I hear someone say, "I just ask for the next right step," I realize I've been overcomplicating it, like trying to navigate a dense fog all by myself when there's a beacon shining just ahead. The experience of others is not just a library of spiritual tools; it's a shared map and compass. I don't have to invent the wheel; I just have to be willing to ask how you steer yours. My isolation keeps me stuck in my own limited understanding; opening up connects me to a collective wisdom.

I can ask a program friend today: 'What does your prayer life actually look like? What do you do?' I will listen not to judge or compare, but to expand my own menu of possibilities.