To keep the focus on principles rather than personalities, personal anonymity should be maintained at all levels of participation in 12-step fellowship—in meetings, in 12th step work, and even in sponsorship.
No Human Power
Maryann links the 12th Tradition to the words, “No human power could have relieved us from our alcoholism.” She notes that no guru can prevent you from taking the first drink. People in Alcoholics Anonymous need to avoid placing their sponsor or counselor on a pedestal, only to see the inevitable fall. “This program is a ‘we’ thing for many reasons. Deifying a person not only harms the followers but the followed.”
A Genuine Humility
Chuck notes that the long form of the 12th Tradition says that anonymity reminds the member to practice a genuine humility. When you walk into a meeting, you leave “what you are” at the door and walk in as “who you are.” This translates into practices of not using honorifics. A judge isn’t “Your Honor” at a meeting. A priest isn’t “Father.” All are equal, and all are just one drink away from being drunk. “We practice this tradition for three reasons: so we can actually practice genuine humility, so we don’t get too up ourselves (spoiled), and so that we can always keep our gratitude in mind,” Chuck says. Mary notes, “We are all honors graduates from the University of Hard Knocks, sitting shoulder to shoulder.”
Principles First
Tradition 12 means that the principles of the 12-step program should be put first, not anyone’s personal opinion. Althea notes that it is tempting to deviate from the principles when someone you care about and respect is hurting. But in doing so, you let a little more of your principles slip away, and then the program loses a little more of its foundation. “That’s why we need to have that unconditional love for the principles—so we may love each other unconditionally. That love comes from taking the risks of resting on the principles rather than giving in and playing God. We don’t give them the chance to grow in the truth of AA’s wisdom; we allow them to create their own. It may appear to be helpful, but it is just as damaging and unloving to the individual as it is to AA on the whole.”
Carrying the Message
By not using your last name, Lyn notes that the program isn’t an anonymous individual program, but it is a “we” program. Rather than become the message, you are carrying the message. Otherwise, your sobriety is at risk, and so is AA as a whole.
