The 12 Steps 1500 year
spiritual history
To start your journey we present this 12 Step video, the translated principles of the first 12 steps version ever, anywhere.
Written by a hermit mystic monk in 520 AD.
Note: some are the same, yet some differ.
The 12 Steps of Humility 520 AD by:
Rick Steinburg videography, E Coast USA
for the 12 Steps Project (Rick is seeking new projects)
Benedict; wrote the first version of
"the 12 steps", in 520 AD
First termed "the 12 steps of humility;" a guide for a young monk, that was so well received it went on to help shape the world for centuries.
Benedict wrote a Rule for hermits gathering into monasteries to live by. This 'Rule' has guided many millions over the centuries. This guide included the first version of "The 12 Steps."
First written for the average person or monk seeking conscious contact with the God of his understanding. Commented on over 15 centuries many times, and adapted by visionary Bill Wilson for, alcoholics in 1939, with Oxford Group principles. Now used by addicts, gamblers, over-eaters alike
Art: Benedict of Nursia, by Jenifer Scott for commissions: jscottartist@gmail.com
Our art for The Twelve Steps Quotes and web-site is all original.
Some 50 paintings executed by over 20 artists, most not in a 12 step program. .
Step Five: ancient to modern, compared...
Step 5 in 520 AD = "Confess to your abbot your sinful thoughts..."
Step 5 in 1939 AD = "Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being..."
Sound familiar?
First written for the average person or monk seeking conscious contact with the God of his understanding. Commented on over 15 centuries many times, and adapted by visionary Bill Wilson for, alcoholics in 1939, with Oxford Group principles. Now used by addicts, gamblers, over-eaters alike
Art: Benedict of Nursia, by Jenifer Scott for commissions: jscottartist@gmail.com
Our art for The Twelve Steps Quotes and web-site is all original.
Some 50 paintings executed by over 20 artists, most not in a 12 step program. .
Step Five: ancient to modern, compared...
Step 5 in 520 AD = "Confess to your abbot your sinful thoughts..."
Step 5 in 1939 AD = "Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being..."
Sound familiar?
The earliest influence...before the "12" steps...
Jacob's Ladder, 1000 BC!
Not the 12 steps, but a ladder of souls ascending
and
descending...
Genesis, the first book of
the Torah: Christian Old Testament; and a main entry in the Islamic Qur'an;
Genesis: "In the beginning..." a ladder sided by sides of body and soul was described.
Motivation for Benedict 1000 years later, for the first (12) twelve steps...
Not to get religious but this is the reality...read on.
(not that religions a bad thing either!)
Shared by Judea-Christian history and Muslim / Islamic history alike!
Islam: see يعقوب .
and
descending...
Genesis, the first book of
the Torah: Christian Old Testament; and a main entry in the Islamic Qur'an;
Genesis: "In the beginning..." a ladder sided by sides of body and soul was described.
Motivation for Benedict 1000 years later, for the first (12) twelve steps...
Not to get religious but this is the reality...read on.
(not that religions a bad thing either!)
Shared by Judea-Christian history and Muslim / Islamic history alike!
Islam: see يعقوب .
an ascent (or descent) on a ladder
sided by 'body and soul'.
Written first Benedict back in 520 AD, and others over the years up to Bill Wilson in the 1930s.
Throughout history to today and the "A A Twelve Steps," this analogy has remained the same.
Monks to drunks, 'n addicts too...and now back again for the average seeker!
\Art: Jennifer Blumanthaul 6-15-2011 blueiris10@yahoo.com
Here is an incredible article, written by a (Baptist) minister on the original 12 steps. It's a spiritual powerhouse for contemplation by all peoples of all faiths. An objective treatment on the original 12 steps, a part of our history.
The 'original 12 steps' of humility, an essay by: Gregory Pope
| christian_original_12_steps_of_humility_article..docx |
The 12 Steps of Humility in 520 AD - click above for download
Mystic, hermit turned monk-Abbot, his example lived on and led millions over the years to spirituality via the 12 steps of humility.
Bernard and the 2nd version of the 12 steps, in 1130 AD on Benedict's 12 of humility, but in reverse, on pride !
Twelve Step History shows they were still a powerful influence on society some 800 years ago, Bernard re-wrote Twelve Step history again, for the average person. He wrote on the opposite, that being man's prideful state that removes him from truth. His were also based on Benedict's first version 800 years later.
He wrote so people could laugh at themselves! He became a Christian saint for it too!
Also; in 1170 AD 'Guigo' wrote "The Ladder" another 12 step commentary...and to today:
He wrote so people could laugh at themselves! He became a Christian saint for it too!
Also; in 1170 AD 'Guigo' wrote "The Ladder" another 12 step commentary...and to today:
Bill Wilson, a visionary,
in 1939 'A.A. Twelve Steps'
now for N.A., Al Anon and other "12 step programs."
Bill Wilson's letter re. his first draft which was for only 6 steps. April 1953 re. 1930's work
Previously UN-published writings of Wilson, in his own hand, courtesy of the A A Board of Trustees, Archives, for The Twelve Steps Quotes c
www.aa.org for;
A A Twelve Step meetings, etc.
www.aa.org for;
A A Twelve Step meetings, etc.
Admitted hopeless
Got honest with self
Got honest with another
Made amends
Helped another
Prayed to God, as you understood Him
Deciphered by archives workers; Michelle Merza, AA GSO, with permissions from the AA Board of Trustees, Archives, for this new book series, in 2008.
Bill Wilson 1939, the 12 steps modernized,
from "monks to drunks"!
Wilson was a true visionary. 1939
His work has changed recovery and alcoholism history (addiction too) and redefined the 12 steps. Recovery success, for 'the disease' was bleak until Dr. Bob Smith identified this malady as a disease. This disease treatment was based on the 12 steps and only a spiritual cure for. a spiritual disease.
It might be said that Wilson referred only to “outside religious sources” for his 12 steps as;
1) they were of a religious nature and AA was NOT!
2) Hordes of his drunks might have stormed the gates of monasteries looking for council as these monks wrote the original 12 steps of humility and lived by them for centuries. But these monks are in monasteries for SECLUSION!
For 1500 years the steps have brought spiritual awakenings and a personalized mysticism to the average person.
His work has changed recovery and alcoholism history (addiction too) and redefined the 12 steps. Recovery success, for 'the disease' was bleak until Dr. Bob Smith identified this malady as a disease. This disease treatment was based on the 12 steps and only a spiritual cure for. a spiritual disease.
It might be said that Wilson referred only to “outside religious sources” for his 12 steps as;
1) they were of a religious nature and AA was NOT!
2) Hordes of his drunks might have stormed the gates of monasteries looking for council as these monks wrote the original 12 steps of humility and lived by them for centuries. But these monks are in monasteries for SECLUSION!
For 1500 years the steps have brought spiritual awakenings and a personalized mysticism to the average person.
From monks to drunks, 'n addicts too!
1500 Years Later... by now they have affected a billion people...over almost 15 Centuries...on all continents.
Art: Canadian cartoonist Mohamed Quovasi for The Twelve Steps c
Art: Canadian cartoonist Mohamed Quovasi for The Twelve Steps c
A new video by recovery artist Parker Lanier, great stuff!
Narcotics Anonymous and Al Anon, 1953 and on to other 12 step fellowships...more 12 step history...
Pictured: Jimmy kinnon, an NA member who turned the NA meetings into a separate "fellowship" re. the disease of addiction.
N.A. The disease of addiction "We're all the same"
Al Anon In support of families of alcoholics
Nar Anon In support of the families affected by addiction.
"Fellowship" founder Jimmy 'K'. (Kinnon) started the first 12 step 'fellowship'; after A.A. to really take root. From here NA has exploded in popularity, growing worldwide to most countries globally, as did it's predecessor AA.
Others have started many 12 step groups with varied addictions or focuses. See our reference page.
12 step programs are all are based on the fellowship principle of one person helping another, as being the strongest cure available. Combined with a God of your understanding and new found humility, in the 12 steps - It WORKS!
A spiritual cure for a spiritual "malady".
We do recover!
Al Anon In support of families of alcoholics
Nar Anon In support of the families affected by addiction.
"Fellowship" founder Jimmy 'K'. (Kinnon) started the first 12 step 'fellowship'; after A.A. to really take root. From here NA has exploded in popularity, growing worldwide to most countries globally, as did it's predecessor AA.
Others have started many 12 step groups with varied addictions or focuses. See our reference page.
12 step programs are all are based on the fellowship principle of one person helping another, as being the strongest cure available. Combined with a God of your understanding and new found humility, in the 12 steps - It WORKS!
A spiritual cure for a spiritual "malady".
We do recover!
Your pages, 12 step art, prayers, and galleries-videos
or re.: writing on your steps:
per fellowship literature...
"Whatever the case, it's time to do some step work: to engage in some concrete activity that will help us find more freedom... Our hope is to internalize the principles, to deepen our surrender, to make the principles a fundamental part of who we are."
Thus our new journals for helping you on your journey!
per fellowship literature...
"Whatever the case, it's time to do some step work: to engage in some concrete activity that will help us find more freedom... Our hope is to internalize the principles, to deepen our surrender, to make the principles a fundamental part of who we are."
Thus our new journals for helping you on your journey!
 220 pages, lined, a quote on page bottom, and illustrations on the step through the chapters. One great spiritual recovery gift! |  220 pages, lined, a quote on page bottom, and illustrations on the step through the chapters. One great spiritual recovery gift! |
These 12 step journals are big books 8.5" x 11"
They are not workbooks based on questions, no author opinion, just 'your' step-work!
They are not workbooks based on questions, no author opinion, just 'your' step-work!
The Twelve Steps Quotes, from our co-op of artists, editors and writers.
12 step quotes, saints to sinners for all 12 step program members
Sent for FUN step work via the 12 Step "Principles" illustrated in fine art and QUOTES!
From Plato to Presidents, George Carlin to the Dalia Lama. Large format, 326 pages.
Spiritual Priced by our co-op of over 50 people working world wide on this project.
Sent for Free to inmates.
Order Details Here
From Plato to Presidents, George Carlin to the Dalia Lama. Large format, 326 pages.
Spiritual Priced by our co-op of over 50 people working world wide on this project.
Sent for Free to inmates.
Order Details Here
http://www.mapsofwar.com/images/EMPIRE17.swf
CLICK for: Spanish 12 a musica, Japanese历史 , Russian ИСТОРИЯ German Chinese Japanese French translations of this 12 step history page.
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In any language...in any age...
The 12 Steps say Power to Change...Freedom!
I DODICI 12 PUNTI, STORIA, ARTE, MUSICA, POESIA...十二12步，歷史，藝術，音樂，詩歌 DIE ZWÖLF 12 SCHRITTE, GESCHICHTE, KUNST, MUSIK, POESIE, LES DOUZE 12 ÉTAPES, HISTOIRE, ART, MUSIQUE, POÉSIE 12개의 12 단계, 역사, 예술, 음악, 시 , 12 12 ШАГОВ, ИСТОРИЯ, ИСКУССТВО, НОТ, ПОЭЗИЯ, LOS DOCE 12 PASOS, HISTORIA, ARTE, MÚSICA, POESÍA, 十二12步, 历史，艺术，音乐，
12 steps illustrated, recovery, alcoholism and addiction, all covered in language you can understand!
12 steps illustrated, recovery, alcoholism and addiction, all covered in language you can understand!
12 steps history AA NA AL Anon
serenity prayer,3rd step prayer
twelve steps, AA NA Al Anon 12 steps, big book, recovery book
AL Anon, Alanon, book
12 step history, information, defined
recovery AA NA gifts books
*1953 See www.NA.org for fellowship program lit. or for Al Anon