The note I wrote in my book for Step Two: "Like slowly coming out of a coma..."

That "self", lesser than this "Power", is our limited, arrogant, angry, fearful, needy, ego-enclosed, shield-clutching, terribly attached, painful, idea of ourselves. An idea, as solid as a passing memory, created by our mind. Our mind wants to protect us from hurt with our idea of ourself: strong, angry or soft, accommodating. It is a shield that isolates us, like holding your broken arm while passing through a packed crowd, please don't touch it... or else! This idea of protection became admittedly suspect in Step One (although I did not take it gracefully). This Power is our whole self -- which is sacred. Greater than the small, frightened child inside wishing to be held -- but not something else, not something separate.

Now, in this step, with the idea-shield being lowered, set down, and perhaps evaporating like steam in the air: let it be, relax your grip on this idea of yourself. We can get an experiential glimpse of the sanity we are born with. You and I now have a clue. Practice being sensitive to your whole self. Be curious about your emotions as you have them, be gentle with your reactions. How does your body feel when you're angry/sad/fearful (or content/happy/calm)? Where in your body do you feel it? What happens to your breath right when the feeling is strong? There's lots of compassion in us for each other. We're not wrong to have problems in our lives, because it is life. We have time, we can make mistakes and keep trying. Getting to know your whole self is getting to know your Higher Power. Making a commitment to your Higher Power is making a commitment to your self. Ven. Robina Courtin says, "We're all walking around like half a person looking for the other half" out there. Every person puts this painful mask on, with arms swinging and legs kicking as if to fix the suffering from out there. Losing our pride/arrogance does not make us a doormat. Authentic self-confidence originates in humility. We can let these ideas of ourself go, we won't disappear. We'll be left with our actual, whole self. Author Mirian Greenspan relayed a story where a client had a dream voice telling her, "Your vulnerability is your strength. Don't associate it with harm but with your creativity." We came to believe -- because of our experience -- that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. My wish is that these thoughts are helpful to you. May we be free of suffering and the root of suffering.

The note I wrote in my book for Step Two: "Like slowly coming out of a coma..."

That "self", lesser than this "Power", is our limited, arrogant, angry, fearful, needy, ego-enclosed, shield-clutching, terribly attached, painful, idea of ourselves. An idea, as solid as a passing memory, created by our mind. Our mind wants to protect us from hurt with our idea of ourself: strong, angry or soft, accommodating. It is a shield that isolates us, like holding your broken arm while passing through a packed crowd, please don't touch it... or else! This idea of protection became admittedly suspect in Step One (although I did not take it gracefully). This Power is our whole self -- which is sacred. Greater than the small, frightened child inside wishing to be held -- but not something else, not something separate.

Now, in this step, with the idea-shield being lowered, set down, and perhaps evaporating like steam in the air: let it be, relax your grip on this idea of yourself. We can get an experiential glimpse of the sanity we are born with. You and I now have a clue. Practice being sensitive to your whole self. Be curious about your emotions as you have them, be gentle with your reactions. How does your body feel when you're angry/sad/fearful (or content/happy/calm)? Where in your body do you feel it? What happens to your breath right when the feeling is strong? There's lots of compassion in us for each other. We're not wrong to have problems in our lives, because it is life. We have time, we can make mistakes and keep trying. Getting to know your whole self is getting to know your Higher Power. Making a commitment to your Higher Power is making a commitment to your self. Ven. Robina Courtin says, "We're all walking around like half a person looking for the other half" out there. Every person puts this painful mask on, with arms swinging and legs kicking as if to fix the suffering from out there. Losing our pride/arrogance does not make us a doormat. Authentic self-confidence originates in humility. We can let these ideas of ourself go, we won't disappear. We'll be left with our actual, whole self. Author Mirian Greenspan relayed a story where a client had a dream voice telling her, "Your vulnerability is your strength. Don't associate it with harm but with your creativity." We came to believe -- because of our experience -- that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. My wish is that these thoughts are helpful to you. May we be free of suffering and the root of suffering.

You know, I never thought of over eating as an addiction until recently- when I realized that cravings were controlling me so much- that I resorted to bulimic counter measures in order to fit into society standards of size and the 'just do it' mentality of self satisfaction and having fun. I experimented with my will -power and food groups (carbs- the enemy and sugar) and almost always lost.

I started thinking about how complicated this addiction is.... unlike alcoholism you can't just go cold turkey or you will end up in the fridge with the turkeys!  We have to eat and we do not always have choices- out of necessity or politeness. If I am a 'good girl' I am okay for a while- but then out of frustration; necessity or politeness I cave in....

So how can we COPE???? What can we do?

I do not have access to any 12 step groups where I am living how does an overeater- perhaps sugar-a-holic, carb-a-holic work the steps....

HELP! Anyone??? 

OA uses the 12 Steps. If it is alright with the site we can post the 12 Steps here.

I will post one step a week beginning tomorrow night.  My hours are from 4AM till 4:30PM, so it will be around 5PM before I will be able to post the 1st step.

HI,  I am a compulsive overeater and still fairly new to recovery like this. I am reworking step one and step two, at the request of a few different people.  I thought I knew I was powerless when I got to the meetings.. I was like, someone please tell me what to do because I don't know what to do anymore.  I went to meetings, and was doing what people said to do. I could see that I really am powerless, and I was hearing little bits and pieces of how other people are powerless. I believe in God, and I heard other people believe in their Higher Powers, and I could see that Power working in their lives.  All very cool. I had seven months of abstaining from the behavior of compulsive overeating, and I hit a rough spot. I was faced with an opportunity to see once again how powerless I am over food, and how very much I still do not know, deep down in my gut that God can restore   ME to sanity.  I know that I have seen God resore others to sanity.   I am willing to believe that it is possible that God can restore me, and I don't know why on earth that would happen. I am not really anybody any diffrent than anybody else. We all at somepoint come to believe, lets help each other in our unbelief.  For me it comes down to trust and honesty and I am really scared of those two things.