CONTENTS
PART ONE – THE PROBLEM
Denial and the Basics of Thought 14
Recognizing Dysfunction
Who Loves Ya' Baby?
Co-dependence and Counter-dependence
Causes of Dysfunction
Family Patterns
Personal Patterns
How the Mind Works
On Learning
The Ego's Primary Defenses
The Best Defense is a Good Offense?
Other Dysfunctional Families
Step 1: Humility 43
A Story of Denial
A Story of Humility
Growth
The Twelve-Step Meeting
Up, Up and Away!
Insanity Reborn
More Insanity
“I Don't Know”
Step 2: Hope 62
Choices
Choose Again
Social Commitment
Fear
Desires and Expectations
Practical Applications
Attend a Meeting
Summary
Step 3: Commitment 81
How does God Work?
Doing His Will
The Laws of God
Summary
Step 4: Evaluation 92
The Twelve-Step Inventory
Patterns
Step 5: Acceptance 98
Step 6: Courage 104
Step 7: Correction 109
Step 8: Responsibility 114
Step 9: Forgiveness 121
Step 10: Vigilance 129
Step 11: Seeking 132
Problems and Guilt Explained
The “Accidental Miracle”
Step 12: Sharing 143
Sharing as a Sponsor
Sharing with Others
Sharing with Children
Brief Summary of the Twelve Steps 153
Epilogue, “The Little Garden”
Appendix 163
Glossary
The Foundation for Inner Peace