Be part of this online Social Happening to help make the world a Kinder and Gentler place. This is not about commerce, politics, or religion. It's a Global Utopian Solution – right here and now. This is a free grass roots initiative; people helping people and everyone is invited; no leaders or followers - just a practical approach for resolving a fundamental problem. A problem with which we all struggle.
In a nutshell: The 12 Step Initiative seeks to demonstrate that social networking can be successfully utilized to raise the quality of life on our little planet. The problem we all face is the human condition. The solution is to overcome the human condition. More simply stated, we are all detrimentally influenced by the human ego, both individually and collectively. Hence, overcoming this dysfunctional thought system is a beneficial goal. Before Freud first uncovered the ego, we thought something external was to blame; that the devil was behind it all! Our understanding now transcends superstition. We now know what we are dealing with, and we have spiritual thought conditioning systems like the 12 Steps (and A Course In Miracles) that help us transcend the ego. “Rejoice – for I have overcome the world” - is a statement of hope, our objective, and a guiding light.
The questions on the table are: Can people gather online in a loving, supportive way that provides the personal connection, the camaraderie, the inspiration, and the empowerment we all need to grow spiritually? Can an online dynamic be deployed that is effective in transcending egotism for those seeking this as a goal? And can we have fun doing this? I believe the answer to these questions is yes. And I am asking you to help me demonstrate this Utopian Solution is both practical and possible.
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The “WHAT”
Online 12 Step groups do currently exist. But, most are geared toward a particular addictive problem like alcoholism. This is an online 12 step support group for everyone. A 12 step support group aimed at spiritual awakening. This 12 Step support Initiative is to be an online sanctuary where the many can gather in support of one another so that the group energy can empower all to overcome egotism.
Moreover, the online 12 step support group at the heart of this proposal is powered by a more functional social networking dynamic than is commonly seen on the Internet these days. That is to say: Most online discussion groups are built for E-commerce and powered by one of two dynamics. The typical chat room dynamic is the first; And the commonplace blog-thread forums are the second. Neither can facilitate the kind of personal, interactive, support group dynamic that is needed.
The 12 Step Support Initiative is powered by the ChatSanctum Webware Engine. This ChatSanctum powered 12StepSupport website utilizes a highly specialized social networking dynamic that provides a multifunctional, data base driven, media enabled, round table discussion forum. In essence, it is a virtual Sanctuary geared to facilitate high caliber social interaction. The 12StepSupport.com website at the heart of this proposal, is currently live, fully functional, and in the final phase of beta testing.
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The “HOW”
Create a Kinder & Gentler world by reducing egotism
We all have an ego and the issues accruing to it. It is the fundamental dysfunction of the human condition. As such, it is vital we understand: what it is -&- how it works. For problems cannot be overcome until we first acknowledge there is a problem; Seek to understand the problem; And then examine our role in creating or sustaining it. This is what the 12 steps are about. The 12 Steps have their origin in metaphysical scripture. They were most recently compiled to address the problem of alcoholism & other addictions. But, they have universal application. The founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (Bill Wilson) once noted: “Alcoholism is just a symptom of a deeper problem”. And it is not difficult to see that this “Deeper Problem” resides with the ego.
Before the ego was uncovered, we couldn't understand why we did the things we did. How could we all want peace, joy, and love - yet be party to so much violence, cruelty, and self destructive activity. In the darkness of superstition, many came to regard such insane behavior as the work of the devil; something outside us and beyond our control ( I.E. - “the devil made me do it”).
But, now we know the problem does not come at us – it comes from us. And given our collective capacity for addictive behavior as evidenced by over-indulgences in sex, drugs, alcohol, money, power, food, drama, vanity, etc – it is painfully clear that there is much lurking beneath the surface of our awareness. In essence, we are addicted to the sirens song of our ego. Most of us perceive our very identity in this world as deriving from our ego. And to exacerbate our challenge, many of the ego's tactics for maintaining control have become so ingrained and unconscious that we don't even question why we do the things we do. We accept dysfunction as normal; Sometimes even as desirable. Hence, we need a practical solution to wake us up and help us become more aware. Moreover, this solution needs to be: online, moderated, and available to anyone looking for help - wherever and whenever it is needed.
Footnote:
Before Alcoholics Anonymous came into existence, alcoholism was considered terminal & incurable. it was clinically believed that most with this affliction would either die from it or be institutionalized. But utilizing a blend of the 12 Steps in conjunction with common sense approaches like: alcoholics helping other alcoholics - millions have escaped the darkness and despair of alcoholism, including myself. I was a heavy drinker and smoker for thirty years before entering the 12 Step - Alcoholics Anonymous program in year 2000. I have not had a drink or cigarette since.
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Four pillars of support are being sought
Participation: Participate in this “Utopian Happening”. Offer your Love, encouragement, and support to others in this online spiritual congregation –via- your insights, articles, feedback, and postings. This is the most valuable service you could offer with respect to this 12 Step Initiative. Participation will be fun, satisfying, -and- free.
Crowd Funding: Funding is being sought. Please consider supporting this 12 Step Initiative via Crowd Funding so it has the financial where-with-all to become a stable, self-sufficient, online force for good. See Crowd Funding blurb for specific details.
Site Sponsors: Sponsor this site and benefit by having your business name and brand prominently displayed as an entity of goodwill.
ChatSanctum Clients: Utilize ChatSanctum for your own social networking website and the money you invest will go toward funding this and other altruistic endeavors.
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Why is money needed & what will it go for ?
For this 12 Step Support Initiative to be successful - someone needs to be online at the site to greet and assist visitors. This moderator is also needed to help guide discourse in a loving and spiritual direction. Thus, having a competent moderator present is an indispensable asset. But, it is also an expense. In the beginning, the moderator & webmaster will be yours truly (Scott French). But, for me to give this project my undivided attention without petty distractions like bankruptcy, starvation, and utility shut offs for non-payment - financial sustenance is needed. Other hosting and bandwidth expenses will also find their way to the bottom line as this project grows. And though this 12 Step Support Initiative is not about commerce in the usual sense, it is still subject to certain inescapable monetary constraints.
Please check out the 12 Step Initiative in greater detail by visiting: 12StepSupport.com. And be sure to watch the four short tutorials accessible via the “Tutorials” Link located on the upper right quadrant of the home page. Thanks for your support. And as a special gift of thanks, a PDF copy of The Quotebook Of Solutions will be sent to those making donations of $10 or more via the listed Crowd Funding site. This Quotebook Of Solutions consists of the most insightful and inspiring quotes that I collected and compiled over the course of many years (about a hundred pages and a thousand quotations in all). Thanks again for your support.