AS WE UNDERSTAND HIM
Recovery Einstein's Big Book perspective on the AA Daily Reflection for March 16.
Ah, 'As we understand Him'—that phrase is one of the great liberators in our Big Book. It means you don’t need to adopt anyone else’s God. On page 46, it says, 'When, therefore, we speak to you of God, we mean your own conception of God.' [Page 46] That’s the open door for the agnostic and the atheist. Step 2 becomes possible for anyone: you just need to believe in a Power greater than yourself—not a bearded man on a cloud. And Step 3 invites you to turn your will over to that Higher Power 'as you understand Him' [Page 59]. The key is willingness to believe in something bigger than your own ego. Even the skeptical Bill Wilson found his 'Great Reality' deep down, a Presence you can call what you wish [Page 30]. So this theme is the spiritual democracy of AA—no dogma, no creed, just a practical path to sobriety.
What does your Higher Power look like today—and how has that understanding changed since you first came to AA?
Start each day with Einstein's Big Book perspective — a quiet moment before the world gets loud.
This is Recovery Einstein's original Big Book perspective on the day's theme — not the official AA Daily Reflections text. For the official reflection, follow the aa.org link above. Page references are to Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book), 4th Edition.
Quick answers
What is the AA Daily Reflection for March 16?
The theme for March 16 is “As We Understand Him.” Ah, 'As we understand Him'—that phrase is one of the great liberators in our Big Book.
What does your Higher Power look like today—and how has that understanding changed since you first came to AA?
So this theme is the spiritual democracy of AA—no dogma, no creed, just a practical path to sobriety. (Big Book: Chapter 4: We Agnostics, pages 44-57)