H.P. AS GUIDE
Recovery Einstein's Big Book perspective on the AA Daily Reflection for September 20.
Ah, 'H.P. as Guide'—the heart of Step 11. The Big Book teaches that our Higher Power isn’t a distant force, but a daily, intimate guide. On page 86, it says we ‘pray only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.’ This isn’t about grand requests; it’s about quieting our own will and listening. Think of it like this: when I was drinking, my own best thinking got me nowhere. Now, I wake up and ask for direction—and I get it, often in the simplest ways. On page 87, it describes the result of this practice: ‘We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.’ That’s the promise of having a Guide who never leads astray.
What’s one area of your life today where you’re relying on your own thinking instead of asking your Higher Power for guidance—and what might happen if you paused to ask?
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 September 20?
The theme for September 20 is “H.P. as Guide.” Ah, 'H.P. as Guide'—the heart of Step 11.
What’s one area of your life today where you’re relying on your own thinking instead of asking your Higher Power for guidance—and what might happen if you paused to ask?
That’s the promise of having a Guide who never leads astray. (Big Book: Chapter 6, pages 86-87)