Steps 6 & 7: Aim for Perfection, Settle for Progress

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 Experience is available free in pdf form. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/621

An excellent biography of William James is by Robert D. Richardson. His section covering James’ delivery of the lectures that formed the book VRE is helpful in putting James’ work in clear context. It’s available here: https://rb.gy/khpbf5