The Step 11 encourages us to keep our conscious contact with our spiritual side. This is like a “check in” system which keep the spiritual process a priority and focus point for living.
This is powerful as it can keep ones “script” or “old programming” which can have negative and destructive parts in check.
Its worth remembering that no matter how long ago certain internal structures were formed. The survival strategies of script that may be counter-productive in adult remain sealed away in the unconscious. These unconscious emotional learnings continue to influence the perception of reality.
Sealed of from awareness they are impervious to dis-confirming evidence in the here and now and will continue to operate throughout life. This is regardless of the symptoms they engender and the conscious wishes of the individual.
This is why doing the Step 11 can cross transact over this script and the unwritten rules for life that it holds. Its about listening to a different voice rather then “script”.
To listen to the voice of the higher power and not internal negative parent.
To connect with mother nature and not remain in isolation with destructive self talk.
To get peace with meditation rather then a harried struggle with script messages.
To connect with inner grace and comfort and hope with prayer rather then the voice of “script despair”.
The practise of Step 11 is a central mechanism of change which is about transformation and the maintaining of this.
It can cross over negative “schema” “script”. The unconscious schema’s can be repeatedly at variance with reality. What’s to be remembered is that the synapses that hold the script in place can be modified by the steps which are about transformation in a sequence and process that works.
We can hold “old stuff” “schema’s” “script” by the bucket load if we choose. The old unconscious versions of reality which were uncomfortable and a struggle. Or we engage and maintain a healthy wholesome self by the Step 11 instruction.
The old stuff and new way of life will bump together back and forth. The two versions of reality will repeatedly happen and we can foster their meeting and still not act out destructively.
Over time and with working spiritual principles a process happens which is facilitated by the 12 steps that permanently transform or can dissolve or decontaminate the previously negative version of reality.
Neuroscience is showing us that it is through a process, or repeatedly bumping into “script”. Together with a different path that the synaptic encoding of the old learning is replaced by the synaptic encoding of the “new learning”.
This is the significance of Step 11 as its the practise of the new learning which can have powerful impact neurally as one changes and maintains this. You can take the action and instruction of step 11 even if it is contradictory with old “script”. It is about choosing a path that is wholesome, healthy, spiritual and ultimately loving.