The Purpose of Discipline

We create discipline so that you can fall apart. ~ Buddhist monk

It seems sometimes restrictive,
this simple program.
Work the steps in order,
find a sponsor, call,
keep a food list,
define your abstinence,
attend meetings
keep coming back
no matter what...
It seems restrictive,
silly, repetitive,
a straight-jacket.
But as we do as we're told,
as we read, study, talk to people...
as we go through the motions
it leaves us open
to discover our fear,
our anger, our shame,
our jealousy, our neediness...
It seems limiting
but among friends
and in the friendly cage
we can fall apart
and put ourselves back
but better.