Contemplative Outreach Newsletter
Volume 17, No. 2, Fall 2003/Winter 2004

Sought Through Prayer and Meditation...

by Tom S.

When I found AA (or AA found me) back in 1978, I had no idea that the sickly state of my own spirituality was one of the major components of my alcoholism. The dawn came early as I worked through the steps (especially the 11th Step). I was divorced and had custody of six children. I went to a Bible study class for the divorced and separated for all the wrong reasons. I was lonely and thought I might meet someone there. I did meet a woman there, but she wasn’t exactly what I was looking for. She was leading the meeting and had a calmness and friendliness (maybe a holiness) that was unusual. She suggested that we close our Bibles and begin by just sitting silently, with eyes closed, for a few minutes in God’s presence, letting our meandering thoughts go...I had never done that before...A serenity descended on the room...I heard a bird singing outside...I was part of nature again...It was my first meditation. 

For twenty years, until her death, this woman, Mary Mrozowski, was friend and spiritual advisor to me. She later started a retreat house in New York and co-founded Contemplative Outreach. 

About three years ago, at our monthly business meeting (Crane Road Group, Scarsdale, New York), we were discussing the possible cancellation of our 6:15 p.m. Saturday topic meeting due to poor attendance. I suggested that we first try to replace it with a candlelit 11th Step meditation meeting. I was asked to develop the guidelines for such a meeting (later approved by the group). 

The guidelines included a period of silence (20 minutes) preceded by a few short reading of words that are integral to the 11th Step. The 11th Step Prayer (Prayer of St. Francis) is read twice slowly, along with a few inspiring words written by Bill Wilson. The silence is followed by a speaker who shares on the 11th Step for about five minutes and sharing around the room. 

The room is usually full to capacity, and members of other groups often join us. The meetings are carefully in the AA tradition. Most attendees now practice some form of silent meditation at home. All of the regular attendees have experienced pronounced changes in their spiritual lives and a deepening of their relationship with God.

Peacemaking // The President's Letter // Invitation to Generosity
The Board of Trustees // Sought Through Prayer & Meditation
The Spanish Corner // International Outreach // Updates