The Tao – Step 12The Tao – Step 12
Tao of Our understanding Alcohol Recovery Podcast
The conversation links Step 12 of AA with Taoist philosophy, focusing on spiritual awakening, surrender, and everyday practice. Personal stories and Tao quotes show how acceptance, gratitude and simple service can reshape recovery one small action at a time.
42:51•16 Jun 2026
The Tao and Step 12: Letting Go, Waking Up, and Passing It On
Episode Overview
- Spiritual awakening is described as a gradual shift in nature that comes from working and living the steps, rather than from meetings alone.
- Acceptance and surrender, supported by the serenity prayer and Taoist teachings, reduce the urge to control situations that cannot be controlled.
- Gratitude lists and looking back at past outcomes help counter fear and remind people that difficult situations have worked out before.
- Carrying the message means sharing personal experience, strength and hope without taking responsibility for anyone else’s sobriety.
- Practising the principles "in all our affairs" is framed as ongoing practice, with each action – and each mistake – becoming part of the learning process.
“"If what I'm using is helping me to let go, it has a purpose that I need to pay attention to."”
Ever wondered what it takes to actually live Step 12 rather than just recite it? This conversation from the Tao of Our Understanding Alcohol Recovery Podcast looks at that question through the lens of Taoist philosophy and everyday sobriety. The group – including Buddy C, Brian, Oscar and Lori – talk about Step 12 as three living parts: having a spiritual awakening, carrying the message, and practising the principles in all affairs.
Spiritual awakening is framed as gradual and often only obvious in hindsight, echoing the AA promises: “We suddenly see that God is doing for us what we can’t do for ourselves.” The Tao Te Ching’s verse 16 backs this up: “Immersed in the wonder of the Tao, you can deal with whatever life brings you, and when death comes, you are ready.” Awakening, they say, is less about fireworks and more about a quieter change in nature – choosing love over fear, forgiveness over blame, and gratitude over panic.
They keep it grounded in real life, like Brian’s story about a flooded workplace and his urge to “go wrestle a damn bull by the horns” instead of accepting what he couldn’t control. That story becomes a springboard into surrender, the serenity prayer, and the Taoist idea of letting the “mud settle” so the right answer can appear on its own.
They also touch on anonymity, sponsorship, and why carrying the message is simply sharing “how it worked for me” without trying to fix anyone. Practising these principles is described like sport training: it’s always “practice”, never perfection, and every misstep becomes more material to learn from.
If you’re curious how Taoist ideas, AA steps, and practical tools like gratitude lists and letting-go work can support a steady, kinder sobriety, this conversation might leave you asking: what could you gently lay down today?
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