The 12 Steps and Zen Koans

If you belong to a 12 Step Group, at one time you will hear someone say, "Upon working the steps, one day you will see where the Steps are working you!" The same can be said when you meditate with Zen koans ... a koan can pop into your life when you least expect it, giving you a new perspective on matters. Here we are practicing with koans to see how they can deepen our understanding of the 12 Steps in new and unexpected ways.

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Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Steps 9 and 10 -- it's dark outside...

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      Step 8:  Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.  Step 9:  Made direct amends to such...
Sunday, August 1, 2021

August/September -- It's Dark Outside -- Steps 8 and 9

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  Greetings My Friends: A little more than one-third of summer has passed. Hope you are well. Now we get down to making amends... Step 8:   ...
Saturday, July 10, 2021

Step 6 and 7 and Falling Into a Well

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Step 6:    Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Step 7:    Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.   ...
Wednesday, June 2, 2021

June/July Koan For Steps 6 and 7

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  Greetings All: Watch your step ... when sitting with 6 and 7... Bill Step 6:  Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of ...
Monday, May 17, 2021

Steps Four and Five, Give up recollection!

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  More than twice as long as my usual posts, this koan and stories have a lot to say, showing how my Zen and 12-Step practice complement eac...
Thursday, April 1, 2021

Steps 4 and 5 - - 12 & Zen Reminder

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Step 4:  Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.      Step 5:  Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being...
Sunday, March 14, 2021

Steps 2 and 3 -- Finding and using this Higher Power

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Step 2:  Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Step 3:  Made a decision to turn our will and our l...
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Bill K.
We try to carry the 12 Step message to those who are suffering, "and to practice these principles in all our affairs." In Buddhism, our practice includes the vow to save all beings. Here the practices are melded into one -- bringing freedom into our life.
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