Virtually all scholars maintained false perceptions for over 12 centuries that the “Earth is Flat”. This was a myth. In fact, 1 in 4 Americans don’t Know Earth Orbits the Sun (ref). People used to think the Sun rotated around the Earth. This was not the truth.
With the development of the heliocentric model by Nicolaus Copernicus in the 16th century, the Sun was believed to be the center of the Universe, with the planets (including Earth) and stars orbiting it.
History of the center of the Universe – Click here
I learned about this story from my “spiritual advisor” – a minister at a local AA meeting I attend frequently. He referred me to Max Lucado who has written many books on similar parallels.
When we come into recovery, often we think the World revolves around us. I certainly did. But this is wrong. I needed to find a power greater than myself and the program let’s me choose my God as long as I’m not it.
What is the truth? Actual state of a matter. Conformity with reality. A verified or indisputable fact.
Copernican heliocentrism is the name given to the astronomical model developed by Nicolaus Copernicus and published in 1543. It positioned the Sun near the center of the Universe, motionless, with Earth and the other planets rotating around it in circular paths modified by epicycles and at uniform speeds.
In astronomy, the geocentric model (also known as geocentrism), is a description of the cosmos where Earth is at the orbital center of all celestial bodies. This model served as the predominant cosmological system in many ancient civilizations including the noteworthy systems of Aristotle.
So the point is, whether you agree with someone or not, the truth is the truth. If someone tells you something, or you over hear gossip/rumor, that doesn’t necessarily make it fact.
Meeting Guidelines We can benefit from the unwritten guidelines that have contributed so profoundly to the success of other Twelve Step program meetings and have proven as valuable in our own. 1. Leaders of meetings are servants of that meeting. They don’t “carry” the meeting; they merely facilitate it. A common mistake of those who have no prior Twelve Step meeting experience is to feel they must comment on everything that is said or “help out” in some way by giving “the answer.” The effective leader surrenders this impulse and lets the meeting work itself. 2. The leader of the meeting does not have to acknowledge a raised hand; he or she can call on someone else. They can interrupt the one talking, if it is called for. This is in line with our common tradition. At the same time, a good meeting is one where the leader’s presence is inconspicuous and non-controlling. (SA WB pg. 188)
3rd Tradition: The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop lusting and become sexually sober.
It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will into all of our activities. “How can I best serve Thee—Thy will (not mine) be done.’’ These are thoughts which must go with us constantly. We can exercise our will power along this line all we wish. It is the proper use of the will. (AA BB pg. 85)