Father Bill W.

Like everyone, alcoholics and addicts have a deep desire to form meaningful and intimate relationships - and yet many of us in recovery face real difficulties in this area of our lives. Bill Wilson wrote about our having formed “twisted and broken relationships” and noted sadly, “We are people who normally would not mix.” 

This four-part series explores why human relationships are so important, why they prove so difficult, and how we might build healthier relationships going forward. 

Fr. Bill’s guest is Marriage and Family Therapist Tom Lavin who brings a wealth of experience in working with 12-Steppers ready to grow in this challenging area of recovery. 

In this second episode, they explore solutions for overcoming childhood wounding and how to begin work towards forming healthier relationships.

Show notes:

• Contact Info: Please send your questions, experiences, or comments in confidence to: [email protected] 

Like everyone else, alcoholics and addicts have a deepdesire to form meaningful and intimate relationships - and yet many of us in recovery face real difficulties in this area of our lives. Bill Wilson wrote about our having formed “twisted and broken relationships” and noted sadly, “We are people who normally would not mix.”

This four-part series explores why human relationships areimportant, some of the reasons they prove so difficult for addicts, and how we might build healthier relationships going forward.

Fr. Bill’s guest is Marriage and Family Therapist Tom Lavinwho brings a wealth of experience in working with 12-Steppers ready to grow in this challenging area of recovery.

In this first episode, discussion centers the importance ofhealthy relationships and some of the unique challenges addicts in recovery may face. At times these hurdles may appear insurmountable but fortunately, we’re gifted with a “miracle program.”

Show notes:

Contact Info: Please send your questions, experiences, or comments in confidence to: [email protected]

My First Forty Years Bill Wilson shares recollections of his painful childhood.

Steven Hayes, PhD TED talk on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES): How to Turn Pain into Purpose

Affluenza: America’s Addiction to Buying More Stuff by John De Graff

Mate’s Book: In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts

Diagnosing and Treating Codependence by Dr. Timmen L. Cermak (used books)

Bill Wilson credits his 1934 “white light experience” in Towns Hospital as the start of his psychic change and spiritual transformation. Bill experienced nothing short of a taste of the divine. It also began Bill’s search for ways other alcoholics might experience similar altered states of consciousness – states powerful enough to jump-start their recovery journey.

In the mid 1950s Wilson experimented with LSD and began a life-long friendship with two of its major proponents: Aldous Huxley and Gerald Heard. In the first episode of this series, I interviewed Don Lattin, author of Distilled Spirits. His book traces the relationship of these three men over the years.

In this second episode, I interview Matt D. from the 12-Step Fellowship All Addicts Anonymous (AAA). Matt’s knowledge of Bill Wilson’s LSD interest and involvement comes from his personal experience with AAA’s co-founders and draws from the group’s extensive archives.

Recently, there’s been renewed interest among researchers in the use of psychedelic drugs in the treatment of depression as well as addiction. Our discussion expands on Wilson’s LSD history and includes warnings for those who might seek a shortcut to spiritual transformation.    

Show notes:

·       Link to All Addicts Anonymous https://alladdictsanonymous.org/

·       Pharmacolatry: (Drug Worship) The Religion of the Present Age

·       Article, The Search for Ecstacy by Gerald Heard printed in the aa Grapevine

Bill Wilson credits his 1934 “white light experience” in Towns Hospital as the start of his psychic change and spiritual transformation. Bill experienced nothing short of a taste of the divine. It also began Bill’s search for ways other alcoholics might experience similar altered states of consciousness – states powerful enough to jump-start their recovery journey.

In the mid 1950s Wilson experimented with LSD and began a life-long friendship with two of its major proponents: Aldous Huxley and Gerald Heard. In the first episode of this series, I interviewed Don Lattin, author of Distilled Spirits. His book traces the relationship of these three men over the years.

Recently, there’s been renewed interest among researchers in the use of psychedelic drugs in the treatment of depression as well as addiction. Our discussion expands on Wilson’s LSD history and includes warnings for those who might seek a shortcut to spiritual transformation.    

Show notes:

·       All Addicts Anonymous https://alladdictsanonymous.org/

·       Pharmacolatry: (Drug Worship): The Religion of the Present Age

·       Article by Gerald Heard / The Search for Ecstacy printed in the Grapevine

Years before AA existed, Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychiatrist, sent his patient Rowland H. in search of a spiritual solution for his alcoholism. Since then, millions have followed in his footsteps. Bill Wilson corresponded with Jung thanking him for his contribution to AA and many in the fellowship, including Wilson himself, benefitted from the “depth” or “analytical” psychology practiced by Jung’s professional followers. But therein lies a problem. 

The Jungian form of treatment is both lengthy and costly, often far out of reach for most addicts. But can a person in 12-Step recovery experience in-depth transformation without benefit of a trained analyst - and can it aid in enriching their recovery journey? 

In this series, Fr. Bill explores an essay titled “The Aims and Goals of Jungian Analysis” as it appears in a book edited by Dr. Murray Stein. By substituting the word “RECOVERY” for “ANALYSIS” the outlines of a journey very similar to the one Jung pointed his patient toward comes into clearer view. At least that’s the hope for this series!

In this fourth and final episode Dr. Stein joins Fr. Bill to review the goal and aims of Jungian analysis while discussing how those in 12-Step recovery might best achieve similar outcomes. 

Show notes:

• Murray Stein Website: https://www.murraystein.com/wp/

• Jungian Analysis, edited by Murray Stein. The work contains 18 essays on specific aspects of Jungian analysis written by top Jungian analysts. It probably goes deeper than many might be prepared to venture but it’s well worth the stretch. 

• A later edition of Murray’s book is titled The Practice of Jungian Analysis.

• Other books mentioned in the interview:

The Four Pillars of Jungian Psychology by Murray Stein

The Red Book by C.G. Jung

In Midlife by Murray Stein

Answer to Job by C.G. Jung

Anthropology in Rituals by Arnold van Gennep

        Memories, Dreams, and Reflections by C.G. Jung

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=memories+dreams+and+reflections+jung&adgrpid=1345802804287582&gb=2&hvadid=84112913849870&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=73736&hvnetw=o&hvocijid=14353318104339091787--&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-84113035825589%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=22597_13494434&mcid=3aedab33d3cb33fdbf22422bb9d92ab4&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_69y2chwway_e

The Psychology of the Transference by C.G. Jung

Jung’s Map of the Soul by Murray Stein

Years before AA existed, Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychiatrist, sent his patient Rowland H. in search of a spiritual solution for his alcoholism. Since then, millions of us have followed in his footsteps. Bill Wilson corresponded with Jung thanking him for his contribution to AA and many in the fellowship, including Wilson himself, benefitted from the “depth” or “analytical” psychology practiced by Jung’s professional followers. But therein lies a problem. 

The Jungian form of treatment is both lengthy and costly, often far out of reach for most addicts. But can “DEPTH RECOVERY,” to coin a phrase, be experienced without benefit of a trained analyst and can it aid in enriching a recovery journey?

In this series, Fr. Bill explores an essay titled “The Aims and Goals of Jungian Analysis” as it appears in a book edited by Murray Stein. By substituting the word “RECOVERY” for “ANALYSIS” the outlines of a journey very similar to the one Jung pointed his patient toward comes into clearer view. At least that’s the hope for this series!

In this third episode, Stein lays out the goal of analysis and lists ways for bringing it about. Fr. Bill identifies ways a person in deep 12-Step recovery might achieve very similar outcomes. 

NOTE: Murray Stein, the author of the essay under discussion will join Fr. Bill for the fourth and final episode in this series.

Show notes:

• Jungian Analysis, edited by Murray Stein. The work contains 18 essays on specific aspects of Jungian analysis written by top Jungian analysts. It probably goes deeper than many might be prepared to venture but it’s well worth the stretch. (USED COPIES ARE AFFORDABLY PRICED.)

• Inner Work by Robert A. Johnson

• The Power of Two Way Prayer by Father Bill W.

Years before AA existed, Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychiatrist, sent his patient Rowland H. in search of a spiritual solution for his alcoholism. Since then, millions of us have followed in his footsteps. Bill Wilson corresponded with Jung thanking him for his contribution to AA and many in the fellowship, including Wilson himself, benefitted from the “depth” or “analytical” psychology practiced by Jung’s professional followers. But therein lies a problem.

The Jungian form of treatment is both lengthy and costly, often far out of reach for most addicts. But can “DEPTH RECOVERY,” to coin a phrase, be experienced without benefit of a trained analyst and can it aid in enriching a recovery journey?

In this series, Fr. Bill explores an essay titled “The Aims and Goals of Jungian Analysis” as it appears in a book edited by Murray Stein. By substituting the word “RECOVERY” for “ANALYSIS” the outlines of a journey very similar to the one Jung pointed his patient toward comes into clearer view. At least that’s the hope for this series!

In this second episode, Stein outlines the four stages of psychic change expected over the course of analysis. They closely parallel the road we travel in deep 12-Step recovery.

Murray Stein, the book’s editor and the author of the essay under discussion will join Fr. Bill for the final episode in this series.

Show notes:

·      Jungian Analysis, edited by Murray Stein. The work contains 18 essays on specific aspects of Jungian analysis written by top Jungian analysts. It probably goes deeper than many might be prepared to venture but it’s well worth the stretch. (USED COPIES ARE AFFORDABLY PRICED.)

Years before AA existed, Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychiatrist, sent his patient Rowland H. in search of a spiritual solution for his alcoholism. Since then, millions of us have followed in his footsteps. Bill Wilson corresponded with Jung thanking him for his contribution to AA and many in the fellowship, including Wilson himself, benefitted from the “depth” or “analytical” psychology practiced by Jung’s professional followers. But therein lies a problem. 

The Jungian form of treatment is both lengthy and costly, often far out of reach for most addicts. But can “DEPTH RECOVERY,” to coin a phrase, be experienced without benefit of a trained analyst and can it aid in enriching a recovery journey?

In this series, Fr. Bill explores an essay titled “The Aims and Goals of Jungian Analysis” as it appears in a book edited by Murray Stein. By substituting the word “RECOVERY” for “ANALYSIS” the outlines of a journey very similar to the one Jung pointed his patient toward comes into clearer view. At least that’s the hope for this series!

Murray Stein, the book’s editor and the author of the essay under discussion will join Fr. Bill for the final episode in this series.

Show notes:

• Jungian Analysis, edited by Murray Stein. The work contains 18 essays on specific aspects of Jungian analysis written by top Jungian analysts. It probably goes deeper than many might be prepared to venture but it’s well worth the stretch. (USED COPIES ARE AFFORDABLY PRICED.)

Many cultures develop rites of passage specifically designed to help a boy transition into manhood. It’s a difficult and dangerous journey, many get lost along the way, and a detour into alcohol and drugs only compound and delay it. Sadly, some never make it.

This series explores the book “HE” written by Jungian analyst Robert A. Johnson. It centers on the medieval myth “the Search for the Holy Grail,” as young Parsifal goes in search of what it takes to become a man – a man in service to a Power greater than himself. 

Fr. Bill is joined by fellow spiritual seekers and “12-Step Knights of the Roundtable” James R, PhD, a college English professor from Alaska and Fr. James R. an Episcopal priest and scientist from Florida.  As the trio follow Parsifal on his journey they’ll share some of their own experiences and strengths, along with the dragons they met along the way. Please note, this series is as much for women as for men since the inner masculine resides in the psyche of both sexes.

Episode four concludes this series. Parsifal failed in his first attempt at the Grail Castle but years of wandering and succeeding at the more mundane tasks of life have left him hungering for a return. Johnson calls these, a man’s “Dry Years.” Parsifal is aided by two more characters: a Hideous Damsel and an Inner Hermit.

The panel “sums up” this “Journey from Boy to Man” especially as applied to those of us in recovery.

Show notes:

·      HE by Robert A. Johnson

·      TRANSFORMATION by Robert A. Johnson 

·      RECOVERY WRITINGS by James Ryan

·      StepStudy.org website https://stepstudy.org/

Many cultures develop rites of passage specifically designed to help a boy transition into manhood. It’s a difficult and dangerous journey, many get lost along the way, and a detour into alcohol and drugs only compound and delay it. Sadly, some never make it.

This series explores the book “HE” written by Jungian analyst Robert A. Johnson. It centers on the medieval myth “the Search for the Holy Grail,” as young Parsifal goes in search of what it takes to become a man – a man in service to a Power greater than himself. 

 Fr. Bill is joined by fellow spiritual seekers and “12-Step Knights of the Roundtable” James R, PhD, a college English professor from Alaska and Fr. James R. an Episcopal priest and scientist from Florida.  As the trio follow Parsifal on his journey they’ll share some of their own experiences and strengths, along with the dragons they met along the way. Please note, this series is as much for women as for men since the inner masculine resides in the psyche of both sexes.

Episode three brings Parsifal to the Grail Castle. Discussion centers on what it means for a man to enter the castle, the things that keep him from entering or maintaining the experience gained, and what are the consequences of losing access to the Castle.

Show notes:

·  HE by Robert A. Johnson 

·  RECOVERY WRITINGS by James Ryan

·  StepStudy.org website https://stepstudy.org/