The Bondage of Self

“God, I offer myself to Thee—to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always?” ~ Alcoholics Anonymous. The Big Book and A Study Guide of the 12 Steps (Kindle Locations 1181-1183). Anonymous Publishing. Kindle Edition.

Relieve me of the bondage of self.
We've prayed this prayer for years,
But what does it mean to ask to be relieved
of the bondage of self?
Bob S., of Richmond, Indiana said
his sponsor instructed him to ask God’s help
for writing down where he had been resentful,
fearful, etc.,  spontaneously, without mind-filtering.
He felt, "This allowed honest
and unchangeable information
for use in my Fourth and Fifth Steps."
He felt the bondage of self pulled him
back toward addiction.
Bhudinni observes, "'Relieve me
of the bondage of self'
may be the most powerful prayer
we have to be rid of our obsessive thinking."
Indistinct  defines it: slavery or involuntary servitude
of my own nature and character.
I would change that to slavery or involuntary servitude
TO my own nature and character.
That moves me toward understanding
AND toward freedom from the bondage of self.