Waiting: A Nonbeliever's Higher Power

Only 10 pages into the book and I’m hooked!

Excellent!!! I believe I could almost write a book in praise of "Waiting." First, the target audience for this book is the atheist/agnostic who struggles with both the disease of alcohol and the seemingly impossible task of reconciling acceptance of a "higher power" as proscribed in the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous with their non-acceptance of a singular all powerful deity. Ms. Hornbacher's personal struggle with alcohol and her discovery of the spirituality that exists within each of us is both beautifully written, but perhaps more important to an atheist, is rationally sound.Having realized I was an atheist while still a teen, I fortunately always considered myself spiritually based. I personally did not share the author's spiritual struggles when I first entered the program (AA.) However, I did quickly notice other members of the program had varying degrees of difficulty with accepting or defining their "higher power." Even though I consider myself to be an effective communicator, I discovered quickly that I couldn't, nor should I try to, instantly transfer my specific and personal thoughts on spirituality to individuals still struggling with their addiction and getting a head full" of spiritual advice from a large number of other well-intentioned believers. So, it was with the purpose of finding sources outside of my own personal experience to better "arm" myself in my desire to help my fellow addicted friends. That is when I found "Waiting." Now, my plan has been simplified. I will just keep a supply of two or three copies of this important book to give as gifts when the time seems right. I have done the same with "Atlas Shrugged," through much of my life, now I will add "Waiting."To conclude my praise, I feel certain that the author, as well as most other members of AA, has either thought, heard or spoken out loud that "A.A. is more than a program for alcoholics. It is an excellent guide for living a thoughtful and spiritual life that would benefit all." I would like to add that same sentiment to "Waiting." Specifically, I would like to have all of my fellow atheists read this book without regard to addiction. Perhaps if they did, I could hold them with the same level of admiration and respect I have for all of my friends in A.A.Thank you Ms. Hornbacher!

AA is not a religious program, it's a spiritual one. But to a newcomer, it sure looks like religion. God is mentioned in six of the twelve steps. However, the relief valve is in the phrase, "as we understood him," which means we can choose any conception of God we wish. And then there's that old AA cliche: "Religion is for those who are afraid to go to hell. Spirituality is for those who have already been." The nonbeliever can have a tough time when he or she comes to AA. Most don't stick around long enough to discover what Marya Hornbacher has. Hornbacher is the author of "Waiting: A Nonbeliever's Higher Power", which is a spiritual guide for the nonbeliever through the twelve steps. The steps are more than a way to stay sober. They are meant to teach us how to live, how to become better people. They are a spiritual practice requiring action. They are the steps to spiritual transformation and Hornbacher expertly illustrates how to live a spiritual life without belief in a higher power. It takes humility to accept that we don't know everything, that we don't have all the answers, and humility is an indispensible ingredient of a spiritual life. Hornbacher says it's OK to doubt - just accept it. Even believers experience doubt from time to time. Why, even Jesus, hanging on the cross, felt forsaken. Hornbacher believes that fulfillment may come from finding our spiritual sources here in the world, in each other, in ourselves, and in all that we give. Connecting with other people is what's going to fill that "God-shaped hole" that we addicts feel. After all, addiction is mostly the result of feeling isolated from the rest of humanity. We used in order to feel connected, but in the end, it only alienated us even further. My spiritual batteries have certainly been recharged after reading Waiting even though I'm already a believer. And I know many people who claim to believe who would benefit from this book also. Yes, I'm saying this nonbeliever can teach us a thing or two about spirituality.David Allan ReevesAuthor of "Running Away From Me"

Marya takes us on her personal journey through all twelve steps of recovery, working them deeply and passionately, without having to “come to believe” in any supernatural diety, Sky Daddy or otherwise. Thank you Marya for letting me come along with you through these pages. I found it quite a moving and transcendental experience, confirming I’m on the right path.

Written by someone who does not believe in God and has been through AA and the 12-steps, this book provides a working and grounded guide to spirituality. Reading this with an open mind, and not terribly concerned about the 12-steps themselves, I found Marya's viewpoint interesting, mostly different than mine, but informative. I pulled a few helpful pieces of information related to a daily practice and how to approach each day and other people. Her approach in breaking down the steps to follow one calendar year is refreshing and provides a nice landscape as each chapter begins with more personal prose on her own journey around the country at various times.Highly recommended for believers and nonbelievers, regardless if you are in or have been in AA.Update 06/09/11:After going through the notes I wrote during the first reading of this book, I realized that something was missing for me. Even though I try (key word) to live a spiritual life, something is off in the daily routine. And then I figured it out. I was not starting off each day in the right mindset. I awake, and immediately think about the stress, what is not done, what is broken, what is wrong. The day has no chance to bring any good to myself or others with these thoughts clogging my mind. From reading this book, I know intellectually and spiritually, what I need to do each morning, and my work I must complete, to carry this through the day, and prepare for the next one.

As an alcoholic and atheist working the AA 12 step programme, I purchased this book both to help me work my way through the programme without God as my "Higher Power" and to help me understand the concept of spirituality and how to live a spiritual life in recovery. It has been a wonderful help in all those respects and I found it a very uplifting read. There is good stuff here even for those who are comfortable with God as their higher power. Its philosophy will help theist and atheist alike.I've just bought two more copies to give to friends to help their recovery and spiritual growth.

For anyone in recovery on a 12 step programme who like me couldnt get any concept of God or a HP then this just kept me exploring this a bit further. So well worth the money and an excellent help to those who need it.

Hornbacher describes a godless spirituality more or less humanistic in many respects. A refeshing view of 12 Step philosophy which gives access to the many who don't believe in a traditional 'higher power'. Very well written and intelligent interpretation and I sense the influence of Ernest Kurtz in her understanding of human imperfection/brokeness and need for wholeness.

good book