Father Bill W.

Father Bill begins a series of interviews with Stephen R. Haynes, professor of religious studies at Rhodes College and adjunct professor of recovery at Fuller Theological Seminary. Stephen’s new book explores the similarities and differences between communities of faith and communities of recovery. Stephen has traveled both worlds and shares his insights and experiences gained and researched along the way. In this episode, Stephen shares his recovery and faith stories, laying the groundwork for the series. Show Notes: Why Can’t Church Be More Like an AA Meeting? by Stephen R. Haynes.

Father Bill completes the series with the help of Mike V. from Akron, Ohio. Mike and Fr. Bill share some of their experiences with shadow work and how they integrate it into their practice of Two Way Prayer. Show Notes: Owning Your Own Shadow: Understanding the Dark Side of the Psyche by Robert A. Johnson Robert Johnson YouTube Lecture on Shadow Robert Johnson YouTube Lecture on Active Imagination Robert Johnson book: Inner Work

Fr. Bill continues the study of the human Shadow ala Robert A. Johnson.  This episode completes the reading of Johnson’s book arriving at the holy place where paradoxes collide to form something wholly new. Johnson makes use of "the mandorla" to describe this. Mandorla is Italian for the almond shape formed when two circles begin to overlap. Something new is created in the center. It may be what the Big Book terms “the fourth dimension of existence.” Show Notes: Owning Your Own Shadow: Understanding the Dark Side of the Psyche by Robert A. Johnson

Fr. Bill continues an exploration of the Shadow ala Robert A. Johnson.  This episode looks at how we project our Shadow onto others. “It’s a spiritual axiom that any time I am disturbed there’s something wrong with the people around me!” Show Notes: Owning Your Own Shadow: Understanding the Dark Side of the Psyche by Robert A. Johnson

Fr. Bill follows Robert Johnson down into the workings of the Shadow-side of our personalities. Johnson uses the example of the seesaw to show the danger of attempting to focus attention on only one side of the personality. If we try to become “holy” instead of trying to become “whole” – we miss the center of the seesaw – we miss discovering who we are. The Seventh Step prayer reminds us, “My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad.” We find our balance in wholeness, not in one-sided holiness. Show Notes: Owning Your Own Shadow: Understanding the Dark Side of the Psyche by Robert A. Johnson

Fr. Bill explores the origins of shadow within the development of human consciousness. To adapt to culture, to become civilized, we must each pay a price. That price is the repression of the things in us that both society and we ourselves deem unacceptable. Push these things down and they form a shadow in us. Let them build and fester and they’re likely to explode. Befriend them, engage them consciously and they can become a source of hidden power and inner gold. This is the recovery journey. Tell Nancy, it's a whole lot more than JUST SAY NO! Show Notes: Owning Your Own Shadow: Understanding the Dark Side of the Psyche by Robert A. Johnson

Father Bill begins another series based on the work of Jungian analyst Robert A. Johnson. Johnson’s book explores Jung’s concept of the Shadow – the hidden, denied, unrealized parts of us that have a life of their own and a way of making their presence felt through explosive bursts of anger or more slowly through lingering depression. The point is, they will come out of their hiding place sooner or later - the good news is they often come bearing gifts of gold. Show Notes: Owning Your Own Shadow: Understanding the Dark Side of the Psyche by Robert A. Johnson

In late July, Father Bill joined a marathon meeting of alcoholics from around the world honoring the memory of Mike McK., founder of RecoveryTapers. This would have been Mike’s 19th anniversary of recovery. During the pandemic, Mike hosted dozens and dozens of Two Way Prayer workshops and helped introduce many thousands to the transformational prayer practice. Fr. Bill shares his own recovery story. Show Notes: To access the other memorial speakers please visit www.recoverytapers.org / In SEARCH type in: "Worldwide"

Father Bill joins Justin B. from the Reco12 podcast for a discussion of the role C. J. Jung played in the development of Alcoholics Anonymous. Show Notes: Reco12 podcast:https://reco12.buzzsprout.com/1117700/11049225-father-bill-w-carl-jung-and-the-recovery-journey-meeting-112/ Reco12’s Resources from this podcast: Flammarian Engraving Robert Johnson Works Father Bill W Podcast Edward Edinger Works Carl Jung Works Two Way Prayer

Father Bill continues a deep dive into this Oxford Group set of instructions for practicing Two Way Prayer. This episode explores the Original Pamphlet’s advice for “checking” the guidance you receive. Early AAs knew not every thought they wrote down came from God and the pamphlet provides some simple criteria to help in your discernment. You’ll find this episode filled with practical advice to keep you from straying too far afield. Show Notes: God Calling by Two Listeners, edited by A.J Russell 24 Hour a Day Book, by Richmond Walker Not God, A History of Alcoholics Anonymous, by Ernest Kurtz https://www.amazon.com/Not-God-Alcoholics-Ernest-Kurtz/dp/0894860658 Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers, AA publication Original Oxford Group Pamphlet Two Way Prayer - AA's Lost Tool for Practicing the 11th Step Two Way Prayer YouTube Channel To support Father Bill W. and Two Way Prayer with a donation, please visit: https://www.twowayprayer.org/donate-1 If this has been helpful to you; please like, subscribe, share, and keep coming back!