Clancy's Seven Questions

Do these questions seem self defeating? Does the wording and the whole process seem self defeating?

Guilt, Resentment, Fear, Inadequacy, Loneliness: The five areas that seem to cause the most serious problems for people in recovery.

Several years ago, Clancy I., was explaining to me that guilt, resentment, fear, feelings of personal inadequacy and loneliness were the five areas that seem to cause the most serious problems for people in recovery.

He shared with me seven questions that he uses to help a person start writing and he emphasised that the questions and the writing are not intended to replace A.A.’s Step 4, they just help the person get started.

Most of the people who approach Clancy or are referred to him, are very hardcore cases who have tried numerous times and approaches to solve their problems.

I have been using these “Seven Questions” with the people that I sponsor ever since Clancy shared them with me.

I’ve discovered that they are very effective when dealing with rock-bottom newcomers and with the high-bottom intellectual types. I have also used them numerous times in helping oldtimers who were struggling through a difficult period.

Here are the Seven Questions:

1. In looking back over your life – what memories are still painful, guilty, dirty?

2. In what ways do you consider yourself an inadequate person?

3. Who do you resent – and why? Be specific.

4. What do you conceive to be your defects of character – as you see them today?

5. What is the nature of the ongoing problems you have with people close to you – in human relations – what seems to always happen when you have these things that blow up?

6. In what way do you believe that A.A. can help you with any of these problems?

7. In what way do you believe that A.A. can begin to change things?

I never give the newcomer the questions without also setting a time for them to complete their writing. Normally, I’ll give them the questions and expect them to be finished with their writing by the next day, and I’ll have them call me so that we can get together and discuss their answers and apply the solution to their problems.

If the newcomer procrastinates and doesn’t meet the deadline for the questions I usually consider that they are not yet serious enough to approach their problem and I move on to help someone else.

I pass them on to you with the hope that they will help you in helping others as much as they have helped me.

Source: http://www.step12.com/clancy.html

P.S. So much for Clara's "inventory" not being done by the Sponsor but by a professional....... at least if you follow the instructions of Clancy I....

Comments

dolson's picture

Absolutely creepy. This is a clear example of a predator hunting the sick and vulnerable.

This is the reality of the nazi inspired, death worship cult currently known as aa.

Go ahead, enjoy yourselves - it's getting late, much later than you think.

These 5 topics are typical at AA meetings and are repeated over and over and over until you are filled with guilt, resentment, fear, inadequacy and loneliness.
It works if you work it!

avogadno's picture

“Guilt, Resentment, Fear, Inadequacy, Loneliness: The five areas that seem to cause the most serious problems for people in recovery."

Shockingly these are the same emotional problems that AA causes. Many former members have these issues, in many cases only after becoming involved in the program.

Guilt after steps 4-5o-8-9. Delving into yourself and past, searching through all of your sins and inadequacies and focusing on them.

Resentment of AA and guru members, Bill W. etc. after learning the truth: That AA had been lying since it’s founding and you had been participating in religious, cultish exercises instead of a self-help group.

Fear from being brainwashed into believing that AA was the only way and without it you would die or end up in jails/institutions.

Inadequacy because you were never able to accomplish what AA “promised” as well as what the other members (that had been faking it until the miracle happens) seemed to achieve.

Loneliness because through the process of AA involvement they managed to convince you that all of your friends and loved ones were in the program. Sometimes even family relationships had become estranged after the pressures AA induced to spend all of your time in meetings, away from your loved ones, and trusting only other alcoholics that “knew” you and the only ones capable to help you.

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JR Harris's picture

From Clancy I the guru himself. The first question in your "Sponsorship" "treatment" by someone with NO TRAINING that is not under any legal responsibility to keep your information confidential.

1. In looking back over your life – what memories are still painful, guilty, dirty?

Pretty dangerous stuff to be giving to a stranger that could have been recruited from a jail or prison, don't you think/

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Clara's picture

No. Why are they in jail? I don't think there is anything wrong with looking back at your life and not being on your deathbed while doing it.

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

JR Harris's picture

Clara, as usual your guilty conscience is showing as it does with all the members brainwashed by the AA faith. This thread has not said anything about jail (you know the place that AA claims it doesn't actively recruit from?). Your guilty conscience is showing big time.

P.S. Please continue to post here, it is showing the tactics, absurdity and lies used by the cult called Alcoholics Anonymous in vivid detail. You are helping to show the world (2 million hits a month) what the cult does to people. Absolutely perfect....

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

jonnijoy's picture

Lonliness!! Youve got to be kidding. Anybody who was a little sociable and spent time in AA knows that you are always in contact with people, shit my phone used to ring off the hook, I had to dodge calls. Constantly doing things with others, hitting a mtg, beach, weight room, dojo, surfing, riding, dating, dances, picnics. The list goes on and on. The ONLY fear I had learned in AA was the fear of relapse and I have found that to be a pretty healthy fear. But fuck Clancy anyway

causeandeffect's picture

I remember this guy who was so sick, nobody really wanted anything to do with him. He tried to pretend he was super popular and his phone was ringing off the hook by setting the alarm to ring when he was in a meeting. Then he'd sneak out to talk to, er, um, nobody.

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dolson's picture

I remember this guy.

HA!

Go ahead, enjoy yourselves - it's getting late, much later than you think.

Orange's picture

Then Clancy makes you feel guilty for having feelings of "Guilt, Resentment, Fear, Inadequacy, and Loneliness", right?

Clara's picture

I don't think he makes people feel guilty for having those feelings, just that they might be exacerbated in the alcoholic.

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

btnben's picture

I read somewhere earlier today that they charged £20 per head to go and experience Clancy Live! in Glasgow last year. Hope the light show was worth it.

God damn it, get me a whiskey

Bill W, Deathbed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?source=patrick.net&v=Sdn3O6aaMNc

. . . do any of these things have to do with stopping drinking? Any of these feelings will affect any normal person - alcoholic or not - at some point in their lives. They will inevitably occur from time to time, whether a person is 'in recovery', still drinking, or never had a drink problem in their lives. It's called being human - but most humans give themselves and others a break from all the negativity.

This Clancy person sounds like the most arrogant tosser in the universe. I love the way he says that if people don't keep to HIS imposed deadline for completing their homework, they are not being 'serious'. What planet is he on?

jonnijoy's picture

C& A Says, I remember this guy who was so sick, nobody really wanted anything to do with him. He tried to pretend he was super popular and his phone was ringing off the hook by setting the alarm to ring when he was in a meeting. Then he'd sneak out to talk to, er, um, nobody.
JJ says, I knew a couple of people like that also but they were strange and nice people didnt want to pop their bubble. Imo it would have destroyed them. Of course their is mental illness in every recovery group. The thing that used to piss me off is that if I wanted to be alone from time to time (which i do) alot of people used to say I was isolating and I hated that. I didnt need to always be in contact with somebody. I was also fine being by myself. They used to say being in your own head is like being in a dangerous neighborhood and i found that not to be true also.

live_free_or_die's picture

I wonder if Clancy I has caused any AA members to suicide.

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alkieanon's picture

live_free_or_die says: "I wonder if Clancy I has caused any AA members to suicide." Why does that sound a tad bit creepy?

causeandeffect's picture

Because it's true.

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alkieanon's picture

... that it's creepy to think about other people's suicides?

causeandeffect's picture

No, it's creepy to pretend they aren't happening when they clearly are. You know, kinda like having a dead person in your house and pretending it doesn't stink.

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massive's picture

He has hurt so many people

Massive

alkieanon's picture

Current point of view is unfamiliar territory. Only have read what has been written. Only have heard what has been said. No actual experience.

"We cannot say that AA causes suicide — only that there is tremendous "denial" among AA advocates that such things happen, and thus they are completely unable to anticipate and prevent such harms when they begin to occur."

http://www.peele.net/faq/aasuicide.html

So what happens if it hasn't happened? Acknowledge the possibility? Calculate the probability? Call 1-800-273-TALK?

causeandeffect's picture

descending on the funeral of someone they don't even know, now that's the definition of creepy.

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"The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it." ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson

alkieanon's picture

No one comes. It happens and it's sad.

Had a personal experience with "death watch volunteers" at hospitals. Sounds creepy, but makes perfect sense. Someone cares.

steve cochrane's picture

Or is this a classic case of Munchausen syndrome on Clancys' part? Yeah keep that patient sick so they need you Clancy. And how arrogant of you to only give the newcomer only 24 hours to try and answer some of the most complex questions of a human beings life. If you don't answer them in a timely manner I will just toss you aside. After all there are plenty more for me to pick from.Why should I waste my precious time on you? This is just ONE of the glaring examples of why AA can make some people sicker,and could possibly lead a person to a more desperate state. Boy, I am so grateful that I am not involved with this crap anymore.

Steve the whole place is chock full of control freaks & their pawns the sick & vulneralble, unfortunetly the game gets so rough it kills some. Me too I'm so glad I dont suffer the foolish nonsense anymore

Brett

dolson's picture

the whole place is chock full of control freaks & their pawns the sick & vulneralble,

Honestly, I can't add much to that.

unfortunetly the game gets so rough it kills some.

I have witnessed that very thing, and I have felt it myself.

I'm so glad I dont suffer the foolish nonsense anymore

I am glad to read that this is the case for you. There is a reason why it is called suffering.

I still have echos of guilt in my mind. I still find myself feeling guilty about extremely trivial matters during the day. I find myself exaggerating my false faults and inferred defects on occasion. I periodically find myself questioning the nature of reality, and my own thinking. I occasionally suffer from feelings of insecurity, and question my powers of perception.

Through talk therapy with a licensed specialist, I am aware of why I am still inclined feel, and think this way. This skewed thinking is a direct result of years of cult indoctrination and mind control. I watched a dear friend struggle with the same issues.

She now lies in her grave.

False beliefs can indeed become very real, deadly real.

I am heartened by the growing public awareness of the exact nature of wilsonism. I have no reservations about stating my position that aa is a nazi inspired, death worship cult. I will gladly call out death cult apologists at every turn.

Have a great day.

Go ahead, enjoy yourselves - it's getting late, much later than you think.

causeandeffect's picture

I still have echos of guilt in my mind. I still find myself feeling guilty about extremely trivial matters during the day. I find myself exaggerating my false faults and inferred defects on occasion. I periodically find myself questioning the nature of reality, and my own thinking. I occasionally suffer from feelings of insecurity, and question my powers of perception.

Yes, I'm not surprised. AA wants us to magnify and enhance every single thing we've ever done wrong in our lives and massage it until it gets stronger and stronger. It doesn't want you healthy. The longer you've been doing this, the harder it is to escape this way of thinking. AA really had such a negative impact on my self esteem and did so in extremely short order, in a way that left me quite paralyzed in life. I was so fortunate to find stinkin-thinkin.com where there were a bunch of really good people pulling the shit and decay out of their minds, and exposing it to the light of day. It helped me to regain my authentic self and gave me the capability to leave AA without fear. It's recommended reading. There were a lot of well written articles on almost anything you can think of. We had our trolls there, really nasty rabid ones like here, but we also had a bigger base of ex-AA posters.

I'm so very sorry about your friend. RIP, friend.

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dolson's picture

It is astonishing to find how persistent that vein of thinking can be. I am aware of it, and it doesn't affect my day to day functioning. However, when my mind gets going, and I really stop to notice why and how, the old thinking patterns make brief appearances.

Steppism is an insidious poison to the mind. After 20 years in an off, and on again, entanglement with steppism, I was able to make a clean break. It was only after I escaped aa that I was able to get a firm grip on managing my life. I then quit drinking for a real reason, my health and well being. Abstinence is the choice I have made. It is similar to the choice I made to quit smoking also. I don't keep conscious track of the days, months, years that have past since making those choices. No cakes, coins, or hugs from cult members.

Do I have a resentment against the nazi death worship cult of aa? You bet I do. Not just for the suffering I endured by being mind fucked by the aa faithful, but for the price my friend paid for her membership. I had put the thought of her into the back of my mind, until I was driving past the cemetery the other day. The snow is gone, and the grass is turning green, but the polished headstones gleamed in the sunlight. Our last telephone conversation played in my head, and I remembered.

I have since been in contact with former cult members that I have known. Some are away from the rooms, but the battle goes on inside them. Some have just given up and keep drinking. Some keep going to treatment every few years. Very few are as sober as they claim to be. Nobody knows what lies ahead of them, but we can sure see what's behind us.

Go ahead, enjoy yourselves - it's getting late, much later than you think.

becket's picture

Twenty years? Doesn't say much for your powers of observation. Even I got out ten years before you did and you call me a stepper? Pfft.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

dolson's picture

Can't resist swinging from my dick for long, can you old man marietta?

Go ahead, enjoy yourselves - it's getting late, much later than you think.

becket's picture

Honey, don't think I'd swing even if I could find the little thing. Got a map? How about a cadaver dog?

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

dolson's picture

Honey, don't think I'd swing even if I could find the little thing. Got a map? How about a cadaver dog?

It's quite remarkable how you coincide animal husbandry and necrophilia, with sexual innuendo. You are quite the pervert old man becket.

Aesthetics.

Esthetics indeed, you obscene old fart.

Go ahead, enjoy yourselves - it's getting late, much later than you think.

Clara's picture

I did do mine with a professional, which is fine. I don't see anything wrong with these questions, especially 6 and 7.

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

steve cochrane's picture

Most people cannot afford a professional. Newcomers coming in to AA are ALREADY beat down. These questions should not be asked, period. Who the fuck devised these questions anyway? Are these not subjects that ALL humanity has? The answer is a resounding YES!! These are not exclusive to people who happen to drink or use too much. AA magnifys these issues.Making a person feeling even more alienated. The most precious thing ( in fact the only thing)that any human being has is ones sense of self. It needs to be bolstered not beat down further as these juvenile questions will have you do. Your constant (spin) of a positive experience with AA is an insult to almost all who post here. It adds up to nothing more than a high school debate tactic!! Oh, and by the way I read a very interesting little thing on Yahoo not too long ago. It was 10 things that your therapist won't tell you. I don't recall all of the things mentioned but I DO remember #10 I will paraphrase. After all of the things that were on the list as far as helping you with your problems. Your therapist if honest will tell you is. . . . . That they cannot teach how to be happy!! If they told you that from the outset do you think that you would go?How could they keep you coming back if they could?? (Keep coming back) Sound familiar? I think not. I am going to counter Clancys' questions later and see if that might make a little more sense ok? Clara, I understand why you are here. At some point I hope that you will come out and tell everyone. I am sure that they would appreciate it. I have some work to do now but I will return . . . . . . Much Love

Clara's picture

What is this "your therapist..." stuff? I find 6 & 7 important because people often come into AA with different expectations. What is wrong with identifying what those can be?

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

JR Harris's picture

"I find 6 & 7 important because people often come into AA with different expectations. What is wrong with identifying what those can be?"

What about the Clancy interrogation items 1-5?

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Clara's picture

Clergy don't charge, Steve.

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

steve cochrane's picture
JR Harris's picture

You claim you did yours with a professional. Professional what, AA scumbag and manipulator? You are a confirmed Clancy groupie and have an opposite sex Sponsor following in the footsteps of Midtown and the con men of Alcoholics Anonymous. Why do you even have a Sponsor Clara? You obviously claim you don't work with them on the 7 questions that Clancy has devised for manipulation? What gives?

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Clara's picture

You don't know the first thing about it.

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

JR Harris's picture

In the words of Clancy,""what memories are still painful, guilty, dirty?" Do you tell Clancy these stories?

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

becket's picture

You're not gonna break her down, JR Harris. She's tougher than you AND she has managed to hold onto a spouse. Two points.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

JR Harris's picture

Did they all have opposites sex Sponsors in keeping with the legacy of Midtown pushed by Clancy by his Sponsorship groups?

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

becket's picture

She has one spouse. She has managed to stay married to him.

Beats a few local track records, doesn't it?

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

JR Harris's picture

Was he turning in one old drunk for a new drunk? Dr. Bob forced his daughter Sue to marry an AA occultist, look at what happened in that relationship. AA members should never interbreed, it causes "young" alcoholics who become one so they can "fit in" to the cult of Alcoholics Anonymous. This problem is reinforced by AA picnics, Al-Anon, Alateen and parents bringing their children to partake in weird rituals to the adulterous Bill Wilson.

Why do you care anyway, you claim to have not been to a meeting in 22 years? Unless of course you're lying Marietta....

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Clara's picture

My husband had one failed AA marriage because she was not sober and never was. Another one of those madated cases that never should have been sent there... If you don't want to be sober, you won't be. Of course, she as also having an affair, so pick whatever cause you want. They were going to use her continued drunkeness for grounds, but he didn't want that negativity.

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

JR Harris's picture

Have anything to do with this failed marriage? Did he prospect hunt his 2nd wife? Did he meet her through a "Corrections Committee" (you always meet the best spouses on those prospect hunting trips)?

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

becket's picture

Does it really matter what happened to Dr. Bob's daughter? If so, then let's go back to ancient Egypt, where brothers married sisters to keep the big guns in the family. I'm pretty sure those rascals were chanting to someone or other, the greedy bastards.

The problem here is not reinforced by picnics. It's reinforced by your continual default shift back to the d-e-e-p, d-a-r-k history of AA. Who gives a damn? Why, we only have to look back at relatively recent history to see the source of your problem with AA. Whatever you do, JR Harris, don't ever let go of this gargantuan RESENTMENT or you will have nothing to write about.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

JR Harris's picture

In AA's own literature and Clancy's Seven Questions, you are supposed to delve deep into the past. Make a list and repent, over and over again causing depression. This is intensified by people like Clancy who teach the little minions of the Pacific Group to start Sponsorship Groups who are anti-medication and promote opposite sex Sponsors and cult marriages.

Clancy is following the business plan of Bill Wilson. He is an unemployable drunk that lives like a millionaire and is the UNPAID managing director of a non-profit with 48 Million in assets. He fly's all over the world to promote AA, hob knobs with the rich and famous and last but not least is corrupting members like poor little Clara. He has no visible means of support and the IRS should definitely do an audit on him and he should be jailed if he is doing what Bill Wilson started. Dr. Bob got the short end of the stick as can be seen by the German "Big Book" lawsuit where his daughter Sue Smith was compelled to testify. Dr. bob coerced his daughter Sue to marry an AA member, much like an arranged marriage, these people need to be protected against the influence of the cult of Alcoholics Anonymous.

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

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