Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), since its inception in 1935, has been deeply rooted in spiritual principles. One of the most profound yet often misunderstood elements of AA is the practice of meditation as outlined in the 11th Step: “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.”
While today many members interpret “meditation” as a quiet, mindful practice, the original concept, as envisioned by the founders of AA, was something quite different. Understanding this evolution sheds light on how AA has changed in ways that may go unnoticed by most, reflecting shifts in society’s understanding of spirituality and well-being.
Meditation in the Early Days of AA: A Christian Concept
When Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith founded AA, they drew heavily on the religious ideas of the time, specifically from Christian traditions and the Oxford Group, a Christian fellowship that emphasized moral reformation and personal guidance from God. In early AA, the term “meditation” referred to a form of Christian contemplation, an intense focus on spiritual matters—often after reading the Bible or another religious text. The purpose was to quiet the mind and heart to better hear God’s voice or understand divine will. Meditation, in this sense, was an active process, an attempt to reach a higher state of spiritual understanding through deep reflection.
In the early drafts of AA’s Big Book, meditation was explicitly tied to prayer and the practice of seeking divine guidance. Members were encouraged to sit quietly, often after studying scripture, and wait for an inner voice or sense of direction from God. This practice was much more aligned with traditional Christian contemplative prayer than the Eastern mindfulness or breath-focused meditation techniques that are more widely associated with the word today.
The 1960s: A Shift in the Cultural Understanding of Meditation
During the 1960s, the cultural landscape in the United States began to shift dramatically. Eastern philosophies and practices—particularly those associated with Hinduism and Buddhism—began to gain popularity in the West. Meditation, in these traditions, was often associated with quieting the mind, focusing on the breath, and achieving a state of mindfulness or inner peace. Thinkers like Alan Watts and popular figures like the Beatles, who famously studied transcendental meditation under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, helped popularize these practices across the country.
As these Eastern practices became more widespread, members of AA naturally began to reinterpret the 11th Step in the light of this new understanding of meditation. Slowly but surely, the original Christian concept of meditation—an active, focused contemplation on God or a spiritual principle—became intertwined with the more passive, introspective styles of meditation popularized by Eastern traditions. By the 1970s, many AA members, especially those in urban areas or those with exposure to the countercultural movements of the 60s and 70s, had begun to assume that the 11th Step was referring to the type of meditation taught by figures like the Dalai Lama or Ram Dass.
How AA’s Understanding of Meditation Evolved
While the 12 Steps of AA have remained unchanged, the understanding of how to practice certain steps, particularly the 11th, has evolved in significant ways. The original founders of AA likely did not foresee that “meditation” would be interpreted as mindfulness practice or transcendental meditation. For them, meditation was a way to reflect on one’s spiritual journey and to seek connection with a higher power, much in the same way Christian mystics or monks might contemplate religious texts or seek divine revelation.
However, as AA expanded and adapted to the diverse spiritual needs of its members, the meaning of meditation became more fluid. Many members today practice meditation in a variety of forms—whether it’s sitting quietly and focusing on their breath, repeating a mantra, or even practicing yoga. This reflects AA’s broader evolution from a predominantly Christian-based organization to one that embraces a more inclusive and diverse understanding of spirituality. The beauty of AA is that it leaves room for personal interpretation, allowing members to seek and find a higher power in a way that makes sense to them.
The Role of Secular and Non-Religious Practices in AA Today
This evolution toward a more diverse understanding of meditation also reflects a broader trend within AA: a shift away from strictly religious practices toward a more open and flexible interpretation of spirituality. While the founders of AA used Christian terminology and practices, the organization today is a place where people of all faiths—and none—can find recovery. As the spiritual needs of AA’s membership have diversified, so too have the practices associated with recovery. Many people in AA today don’t practice the kind of Christian prayer and meditation that was common in the 1930s and 40s. Instead, they engage in mindfulness practices, secular meditation, or simply use quiet time to reflect on their day and their spiritual path.
Unnoticed Changes in AA
This transformation in the understanding of meditation is just one example of how AA has evolved in ways that are often unnoticed. While AA’s core text, the Big Book, has remained largely unchanged, the lived experience of AA members and the spiritual practices they engage in have shifted in response to broader cultural changes. The meditation practices of the 1930s are not the same as those of the 1960s, nor are they the same as those of today.
As AA continues to grow and adapt, it becomes a reflection of the society around it. Practices like mindfulness, once foreign to Western spirituality, are now mainstream. Members continue to adapt and personalize their understanding of the steps, making AA a living, evolving program.
Conclusion: The Ever-Evolving Spirit of AA
The concept of meditation within Alcoholics Anonymous has gone through a profound evolution—from its origins as a Christian practice of focused spiritual contemplation to its current, more inclusive, and diverse forms. As society’s understanding of spirituality and meditation has shifted, so too has AA’s interpretation of this important step. While the wording of the 11th Step may not have changed, its practice has become a reflection of the diverse and changing spiritual landscape of the modern world.
This evolution is a testament to AA’s flexibility and adaptability, and its ability to provide a space where people of all backgrounds can find recovery. The program may have started with Christian roots, but its growth over the years shows that it has become much more—a broad, inclusive fellowship where meditation and spirituality are uniquely personal for each member.
