The Committee

 
Meditation: Deep, continued thought; solemn reflection on sacred matters as a devotional act.
 

The mind of an average alcoholic is home to about five hundred shrieking, screaming, incoherent alter egos. This is The Committee. They are dishing out all kinds of contradictory advice, most of it barely rational, and demanding immediate action. We are being warned of dire consequences and impending tragedies. These individuals are not stopping to ponder anything – they are frantically trying to prevent whatever horrible tragedy is lurking just around the corner. They are firmly in control of our actions.

If prayer can be defined as talking to God, then meditation is our attempt to listen to what He has to say. At first, it’s like trying to listen to the small voice of a soft-spoken child at a monster truck pull. The Committee has had our undivided attention for a long time and they are not going to cede this influence without a fight. They aren’t going to pipe down the first time we try to shut them up.

Meditation can be very difficult. To sit in a quiet place and listen for the small, still voice of God, to wait for inspiration or an intuitive thought, is a life time exercise for most of us. We are used to flying off the handle and pursuing whatever impulsive thoughts pop into our minds. God suggests things – he doesn’t scream instructions at us. Hisadvice is good but we have to pay attention if we want to hear it.

The Committee will never be completely muzzled.