Admission of Powerlessness: A Spiritual Analogy
Over coffee with my AA sponsor, I said: “An admission of Powerlessness is like yeast; it expands the soul and gives it life, like yeast expands the flour and water to make bread dough rise.”
I continued, “Admitting powerlessness makes the soul more pleasing to God’s tastes, like it makes flour and water into bread, which is more pleasing to the taste of man. And after you let the dough rise, you bake the bread, like a properly conditioned soul, with an admission of powerlessness, is baked in the oven of life. Finally, yeast and powerlessness, once introduced to dough or soul, spreads throughout the dough or the soul.”
My sponsor thought for a moment, then said, “Good, but not quite right.”
Why Powerlessness Isn’t Like Yeast — Sponsor’s Insight
“Yeast and an admission of powerlessness don’t spread the same. When you add yeast to dough, it will spread throughout the entire batch, imparting its beneficial magic with no further effort. Not one corner of the dough will be untouched.”
But powerlessness, once admitted in one area of life, does not spread to others like yeast spreads through dough; I have to work at it.”
He continued, “Admitting I was powerless over alcohol did not affect other areas of my character and life. The admission was not like yeast; it did not grow to affect my entire soul. It did not affect my anger, my sex life, my gluttony or sloth. These areas all required separate admissions of powerlessness, followed by separate acknowledgments that I could be restored to sanity, or brought to sanity, by my Higher Power. And so on for the rest of the steps.
So the analogy works, to a point.”
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Questions to reflect on:
- In which corner of my life has my admission of powerlessness taken hold? Where has it not?
- Which areas need separate admissions and a plan of action?
- How will I practically turn each admission over to my Higher Power and continue daily work?
FAQ
Q1: What does “admission of powerlessness” mean?
A1: It’s Step One language—honest acknowledgement that you cannot control a particular behavior (e.g., alcohol) and need help beyond your own willpower.
Q2: If I admit powerlessness over one thing, will it fix other problems?
A2: Not automatically. As the sponsor notes, each area often requires its own admission and focused work.
Q3: How does a sponsor help with this process?
A3: A sponsor listens, reflects, corrects metaphors or assumptions, helps you identify specific life areas, and supports you in practical step work.
Q4: What practical steps can I take after admitting powerlessness?
A4: Make a list of problem areas, admit each one honestly to someone trusted, pray/meditate/seek guidance for sanity, and follow Steps tailored to each issue.
Q5: Is the yeast metaphor useless?
A5: No — it’s helpful for illustrating transformation — but it’s incomplete. Use it as a starting point, not a roadmap.
Q6: Can this approach be used outside AA?
A6: Yes. The idea of honest admission and incremental, supported work applies broadly in recovery, therapy, and personal change programs.
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