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 on Amazon. However, it can be purchased affordably though through Matt D. at All Addicts Anonymous: click here:

https://alladdictsanonymous.org/store/If finances are a problem, please write to [email protected]/for a free electronic edition.

The classic book Why Do Men Stupefy Themselves written by Leo Tolstoy is available here: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Why_Do_Men_Stupefy_Themselves%3F/

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 knew Tom well and is in charge of his All Addicts Anonymous archives. The series will explore the book and the man in depth.

Show Notes:

Invitation to a Great Experimentis out of print and costly on Amazon. However, it can be purchased affordably though through Matt D. at All Addicts Anonymous: click here:

https://alladdictsanonymous.org/store/If finances are a problem, please write to [email protected]/for a free electronic edition.

The classic book Why Do Men Stupefy Themselves written by Leo Tolstoy is available here: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Why_Do_Men_Stupefy_Themselves%3F/

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.amazon.com/War-Gods-Addiction-David-Schoen/dp/1882670574/

Copy of the Letters Between Wilson and Jung: https://speakingofjung.com/blog/2015/11/13/the-bill-w-carl-jung-letters/Series: God and Addiction

Questions or Comments to David Schoen can be sent to [email protected] and we’ll pass them on. Thanks for listening!

 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://speakingofjung.com/blog/2015/11/13/the-bill-w-carl-jung-letters/Series: God and Addiction

·  Step One: What is a Psychic Change?:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f50b318fe914e1b2aa32bfb/t/60421b660effa45fa4ac5622/1614945126278/What+Is+a+Psychic+Change++or+Spiritual+Transformation%3F.pdf/

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://speakingofjung.com/blog/2015/11/13/the-bill-w-carl-jung-letters/

·  Bill W. by Robert Thomsen

https://www.amazon.com/Bill-absorbing-deeply-co-founder-Alcoholics/dp/1568383436/

 Fr. Bill launches into Chapter Two of The War of the Gods in Addiction examining the Five Stages of the addiction process as presented by Jungian analyst David E. Schoen. Drinking, drugging, food or any addiction that usually starts off promising a solution to our inner psychic splits, often lead to our death sentence. This episode traces the course of their development in "the real alcoholic or addict."

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://speakingofjung.com/blog/2015/11/13/the-bill-w-carl-jung-letters/

Fr. Bill continues an in-depth exploration of how and why Jung believed that only a divine connection and our being in community with others is powerful enough to overcome real addiction. The series builds on the book The War of the Gods in Addiction by Jungian analyst David E. Schoen. This episode explores Jung’s 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://speakingofjung.com/blog/2015/11/13/the-bill-w-carl-jung-letters/

Fr. Bill begins an in-depth exploration of how and why only a divine connection may be powerful enough to overcome real addiction. The series builds on the book The War of the Gods in Addiction by Jungian analyst David E. Schoen. This episode explores the letter from Bill Wilson to C.J Jung.

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://speakingofjung.com/blog/2015/11/13/the-bill-w-carl-jung-letters/

Father Bill shares his experience in starting Two Way Prayer groups. The episode includes a small-group model that has proved successful along with reflections from several Two Way Prayer group members. Cautions are also included.

Show Notes:

·  A suggested format for conducting a Zoom or in-person meeting is on the Two Way Prayer website: here

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f50b318fe914e1b2aa32bfb/t/6037ae010ba7235be05479cc/1614261761891/starting-zoom.pdf

·  An interesting article on the origins of small groups crediting Sam Shoemaker for his pioneering work is here:

https://www.smallgroups.com/articles/2014/pioneers-of-small-group-movement.html

Father Bill shares his experiences finding and fostering successful partnerships with Two Way Prayer. While the morning prayer practice is basically an individual one, this simple set of guidelines can help you build a more effective and fruitful sharing relationship.

Show Notes:

·  Suggested Guidelines for Prayer Partnerships here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f50b318fe914e1b2aa32bfb/t/6037b13268c4456044b098d3/1614262578580/A+Suggested+Guide+for+Two+Way+Prayer+Partners.pdf/

·  To share an experience about your prayer partnership please write: [email protected]