Father Bill continues a deep dive into Robert Johnson’s Inner Gold: Understanding Psychological Projection. This episode examines loneliness from three perspectives: Loneliness for the PAST, the Loneliness for WHAT IS NOT YET, and the Loneliness of BEING CLOSE TO GOD. As the Big Book says, we addicts will “know loneliness such as few do.” Johnson points us to the only solution for loneliness: SOLITUDE! Show Notes: Inner Gold: Understanding Psychological Projection by Robert A. Johnson. https://w...
Apr 20, 2022•52 min•Season 18Ep. 3
Father Bill continues a deep dive into Robert Johnson’s Inner Gold: Understanding Psychological Projection. This episode examines our relationship with God in the modern era. The rules that used to apply no longer work and a new solution has not yet arrived. Bill Wilson learned some of the lessons discussed as he dealt with his depression after many years sober. A link to his article is in the Show Notes. Show Notes: Inner Gold: Understanding Psychological Projection by Robert A. Johnson. https:...
Apr 13, 2022•37 min•Season 18Ep. 2
Often we project onto others the things we are not ready or willing to see in ourselves. Father Bill uses Robert Johnson’s book Inner Gold to explore how projection works in recovery. Johnson is a gifted teacher sharing insights and stories to help readers recover the gold that lies hidden inside us all. Join the expedition and stake a claim to your treasure! Show Notes: Inner Gold: Understanding Psychological Projection by Robert A. Johnson. https://www.amazon.com/Inner-Gold-Understanding-Psych...
Apr 06, 2022•48 min•Season 18Ep. 1
Continuing to explore the book TRANSFORMATION by Robert A. Johnson, Father Bill and guest David B. discuss the character of Faust as he discovers a doorway to four-dimensional consciousness, one uniquely open to those of us in recovery. This final episode of the series deals with Part II of the play offering a solution to Faust’s crisis of consciousness. Show Notes: Transformation: Understanding the Three Levels of Masculine Consciousness by Robert A. Johnson https://www.amazon.com/Transformatio...
Mar 30, 2022•54 min•Season 17Ep. 5
Continuing to explore the book TRANSFORMATION by Robert A. Johnson, Father Bill and his guest David B. discuss the character of Faust representing a possible pathway to four-dimensional consciousness, one uniquely open to those of us in recovery. David brings a professional background in theatre that deepens the discussion. This episode deals with Part I of the play laying out the problems posed by our shadows – facing “the unlived parts” of our lives. Show Notes: Transformation: Understanding t...
Mar 23, 2022•50 min•Season 17Ep. 4
Continuing to explore the book TRANSFORMATION by Robert A. Johnson, Father Bill and his guest David B. discuss the character Hamlet representing the “stuck,” or complex, or three-dimensional consciousness experienced by most moderns – including many of us in recovery. David brings a unique background in theatre and acting as well as being in recovery. You’ll find the discussion informative and perhaps more relevant than when the play was assigned to read in high school! Show Notes: Transformatio...
Mar 16, 2022•40 min•Season 17Ep. 3
Don Quixote represents the “simple consciousness” that’s all but evaporated in the modern age marked by fear. separation and anxiety. Continuing with the book TRANSFORMATION, Fr. Bill explores Robert Johnson’s description of this classic tale with an eye toward how addicts experience “being driven from the Garden of Eden.” Show Notes: Transformation: Understanding the Three Levels of Masculine Consciousness by Robert A. Johnson https://www.amazon.com/Transformation-Understanding-Levels-Masculine...
Mar 09, 2022•35 min•Season 17Ep. 2
This series explores Robert A. Johnson’s book Transformation. Johnson moves readers from simple, to complex, to enlightened stages of consciousness using well known characters from literature to make a difficult subject easier to understand. In this episode, Fr. Bill outlines Johnson’s approach and gives an overview of consciousness and the role it plays in recovery. Show Notes: Transformation: Understanding the Three Levels of Masculine Consciousness by Robert A. Johnson https://www.amazon.com/...
Mar 02, 2022•34 min•Season 17Ep. 1
Over the years, three ways have evolved for working the AA Program: Strong, Medium, and Weak. Like a cup of coffee or tea the strength makes all the difference and that difference, for some of us, could include whether we live or die! Fr. Bill discusses this classic article with Matt D. from All Addicts Anonymous. Show Notes: Find Gresham’s Law and Alcoholics Anonymous on the AAA website: https://alladdictsanonymous.org/store/ THE TEN POINTS: The Ten Points represent the spiritual inspiration an...
Feb 23, 2022•44 min•Season 16Ep. 1
My psychologist friend Michaela from Liverpool shares her experience with Two Way Prayer and has me doing the same. Eleven percent of our podcast listeners hail from the UK. God must have big plans for his kids across the pond! Show Notes: To reach Michaela, please drop me a line at TwoWayPrayer@gmail.com and I’ll gladly forward it to her. Michaela Heaton, lives in Liverpool, England and has BA Hons degree in English & Philosophy, a postgraduate diploma in applied psychology and an MSc in Ap...
Feb 17, 2022•48 min•Season 15Ep. 1
Fr. Bill and author Paul S. conclude their discussion of Varieties of Religious Experience. In this episode they explore how “a life of love and service” are the natural fruits of any real conversion experience. There’s also an in-depth discussion of James’ own short summary of his findings. You’ll find James’ 5-point summation truly worth studying. Show Notes: Paul’s book titled “We Agnostics: William James…” is available here : https://rb.gy/rpvnlr The original Varieties of Religious Experienc...
Feb 09, 2022•51 min•Season 14Ep. 8
Fr. Bill and author Paul S. continue their discussion of Varieties of Religious Experience. Paul labeled his chapter on Steps 10 and 11: “Doing Business with This Higher Power. In this episode they explore some 14 practices William James addresses as aids in making and maintaining a conscious connection with the Divine. Show Notes: Paul’s book titled “We Agnostics: William James…” is available here : https://rb.gy/rpvnlr The original Varieties of Religious Experience is available free in pdf for...
Feb 02, 2022•53 min•Season 14Ep. 7
Fr. Bill and author Paul S. continue their discussion of Varieties of Religious Experience. Paul labeled his chapter on Steps 10 and 11: “Doing Business with This Higher Power.” It’s rich and important material so we’ve broken it up into two parts. In this first episode we concentrate on the nature of a relationship with the Higher Power. Show Notes: Paul’s book titled “We Agnostics: William James…” is available here : https://rb.gy/rpvnlr The original Varieties of Religious Experience is availa...
Jan 26, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 14Ep. 6
Fr. Bill and author Paul S. continue their discussion of Varieties of Religious Experience. Pauls’ chapter on these Steps explores the nature of forgiveness and the “melting of moods” frozen by resentment and hate. Just as God makes recovery from our addictions possible, the needed strength for forgiveness also comes as a gift. Show Notes: Paul’s book titled “We Agnostics: William James…” is available here : https://rb.gy/rpvnlr The original Varieties of Religious Experience is available free in...
Jan 19, 2022•48 min•Season 14Ep. 5
Fr. Bill and author Paul S. continue their discussion of Varieties of Religious Experience. This episode is focused on the multiple problems facing the "sick soul" especially Fear, Self-Loathing, and Chaotic Impulses. Called "the Steps that separate the men from the boys" (and the women from the girls) James says these things are in fact "removable." Show Notes: Paul’s book titled “We Agnostics: William James…” is available here : https://rb.gy/rpvnlr The original Varieties of Religious Experien...
Jan 12, 2022•45 min•Season 14Ep. 4
Fr. Bill and William James author Paul S. continue their discussion. Pauls’ chapter on the 4th and 5th Steps is titled: Releasing a Dam of Tears and Finding Tender Mercy. The discussion centers around the “sick soul” diving deep into its sense of “rottenness” to discover a soul that was already there and just waiting for us to set free. Show Notes: Paul’s book titled “We Agnostics: William James…” is available here: https://rb.gy/rpvnlr The original Varieties of Religious Experience is available...
Jan 05, 2022•44 min•Season 14Ep. 3
Fr. Bill’s and William James author Paul S. continue the discussion. “Letting go” is the focus. Not working so hard, but actually working less as we discover the Great Reality has been there all along just waiting for us to open the door of our inner worlds. We often make the Steps so much harder than they need to be. Lighten up – and discover the light within. Show Notes: Paul’s book titled “We Agnostics: William James…” is available here : https://rb.gy/rpvnlr The original Varieties of Religio...
Dec 29, 2021•52 min•Season 14Ep. 2
Fr. Bill’s guest is Paul S., author of a new book on William James, known as the Father of American psychology and twice referenced in the Big Book. This episode explores the underlying feeling state of most addicts as we first discover the mystical elements of drugs and alcohol only to be thrown into the dark places, they ultimately lead us. Step One comes alive in the discussion and gives listeners a deeper appreciation of how the seeds of recovery are present within the pain. The series will ...
Dec 22, 2021•44 min•Season 14Ep. 1
This is the third and final episode of Fr. Bill’s 12-Step Workshop. The Steps are presented from the perspective of the Pioneer members of AA and the purpose of the series is to help Keep It Simple! This episode centers around the last three Steps: 10, 11, and 12. It sees them as the main area of focus for someone who has completed their Step work. But this is more than MAINTENANCE. It is receiving DIRECTION from our Higher Power and the Guidance we need for living our lives. If this has been he...
Dec 15, 2021•41 min•Season 12Ep. 3
This is the second of Father Bill’s 12-Step Workshop. The Steps are presented from the perspective of the Pioneer members of AA and the hope of the series is to help us “Keep It Simple!” This episode focuses on how to remove the barriers existing between ourselves and God as well as between ourselves and others. Again, you'll see it's a whole lot easier than you may have thought! Show notes: A copy of the PowerPoint presentation and handouts that accompanied this original Zoom workshop (11.06.20...
Dec 08, 2021•39 min•Season 12Ep. 2
This is the first of Father Bill’s three-part 12-Step Workshop. Each of the 12 Steps is presented from the perspective of the Pioneer members of AA and the hope of the series is to help us “Keep It Simple!” This episode focuses on how to establish a connection with God, with another person, and with our own True Selves as we begin recovery from addiction. You'll see it's a whole lot easier than you may have thought! Show notes: If you would like a copy of the PowerPoint presentation that accompa...
Dec 02, 2021•54 min•Season 12Ep. 1
Matt D. and Father Bill conclude this series with an in-depth discussion of prayer and how it can unlock our hearts and open us to a deeper relationship with God. Show Notes: Invitation to a Great Experiment is out of print and costly on Amazon; however, it can be purchased affordably though through All Addicts Anonymous: alladdictsanonymous.org/store/ If finances are a problem, write to AllAddictsAnonymous@gmail.com to request a free electronic edition or information about AAA meetings. To lear...
Nov 24, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 11Ep. 6
Father Bill and Matt D. from All Addicts Anonymous explore the questions Tom Powers raises: “Can God’s Will Be Known and Can It Be Done?” These are vital questions for addicts in recovery to understand and to answer. This episode may help point toward an answer. Invitation to a Great Experiment is out of print and costly on Amazon; however, it can be purchased affordably through All Addicts Anonymous . If finances are a problem, please write to AllAddictsAnonymous@Gmail.com to request a free ele...
Nov 17, 2021•51 min•Season 11Ep. 5
Archivist Matt D. and Father Bill continue an in-depth discussion focused on the spiritual truths and practices underlying 12-Step transformation. This episode includes the Way of Reason, the Way of Faith, and the Way of Experience. Show Notes: Invitation to a Great Experiment is out of print and costly on Amazon; however, it can be purchased affordably though through All Addicts Anonymous. https://alladdictsanonymous.org/store/ If finances are a problem, please write to AllAddictsAnonymous@Gmai...
Nov 10, 2021•49 min•Season 11Ep. 4
Fr. Bill continues his discussion of Tom Powers’ writings with Matt D. In this episode Matt describes three tools Tom said were needed by anyone setting out in search for God, " Find the Right People, Find the Right Books, and Find the Right Laboratory." Invitation to a Great Experiment is out of print and costly on Amazon; however, it can be purchased affordably through All Addicts Anonymous : alladdictsanonymous.org/store/ or write to AllAddictsAnonymous@Gmail.com/ and request a free electroni...
Nov 03, 2021•51 min•Season 11Ep. 3
In this episode Father Bill and Matt D. explore the three things necessary to begin a search for God. Expedition leader Tom P. writes, “if you're in extreme emergency … with nothing to hope for in the world, your situation is particularly favorable!” The spiritual path, like the 12 Step Program, is filled with paradoxes. Tom’s book Invitation to a Great Experiment is the source of the series. There’s a link in the show notes. Show Notes: Invitation to a Great Experimentis out of print and costly...
Oct 27, 2021•41 min•Season 11Ep. 2
Tom Powers helped Bill Wilson write 12 Steps and 12 Traditions, AA Comes of Age , and the Second Edition of the Big Book. Bill was his mentor, friend, and sponsor. In his book Invitation to a Great Experiment, Tom takes 12 Step spirituality to greater depths than you’re likely to find in any other recovery work as he explores three vital questions: Can God be known? Is there an experiment we can test to answer this question? And how can we know and do God’s will? Fr. Bill interviews Matt D. who ...
Oct 20, 2021•52 min•Season 11Ep. 1
Father Bill welcomes the author of The War of the Gods in Addiction to the podcast. In concluding this series, they explore the significance of Carl Jung’s letter to AA’s co-founder Bill Wilson. The conversation centers on the underlying, and often overlooked, psychic elements uniquely present in addiction and the 12-Step pathway that seems specifically designed to overcome them. The conversation is lively and you’re sure to learn a lot. Show Notes: The War of the Gods in Addiction: https://www....
Sep 29, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Season 10Ep. 6
Fr. Bill continues this in-depth look at addiction through the work of Jungian therapist David Schoen in The War of the Gods in Addiction. This episode explores the 12-Step solution viewed as a Jungian pathway to recovery. While most of us are aware of How It Works, this episode might help explain Why It Works. Show Notes: · The War of the Gods in Addiction : https://www.amazon.com/War-Gods-Addiction-David-Schoen/dp/1882670574/ · Copy of the Letters Between Wilson and Jung: https://speakingofjun...
Sep 22, 2021•30 min•Season 10Ep. 5
Fr. Bill explores the Evil lying at the heart of real addiction. Jungian therapist David Schoen maintains that all true addictions are intent on bringing death to their victims. This episode explores the very real, but hidden, depth of this Evil. An Evil that Jung dared calling “the Devil” in his letter to Bill Wilson. Show Notes: · The War of the Gods in Addiction: https://www.amazon.com/War-Gods-Addiction-David-Schoen/dp/1882670574/ · Copy of the Letters Between Wilson and Jung: https://speaki...
Sep 15, 2021•32 min•Season 10Ep. 4
