Father Bill W.

This series is focused on those coming to 12-Step recovery for alcohol or drugs but challenged by issues such as anxiety, depression, sexual and emotional traumas, as well as those who are members of minority populations. Fr. Bill launches the series interviewing Paul S., author of Paths to Recovery for Gay and Bisexual Drug Addicts, where they share insights from many years in 12-Step recovery. Show Notes: Paul’s book is available here: https://www.amazon.com/Paths-Recovery-Bisexual-Drug-Addicts/dp/1442249986 Paul's book on William James and the 12_Steps, We Agnostics: https://rb.gy/eth4bm

This is the first of several planned interviews with women and men in recovery sharing their experience with Two Way Prayer. Sid found recovery at age 18 and became a bit of a “12 Step Fundamentalist” prior to digging into AA history where he discovered the Pioneer Program and underwent a much deeper spiritual awakening. It appears the future of recovery is in good hands with some of our younger members. Show Notes: If you’d like to share or reach out to Sid, please write him at: AAHistoryNerd@Gmail.com 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!

Father Bill completes this deep dive into Robert Johnson’s Inner Gold: Understanding Psychological Projection. This episode examines the search for the “Heavenly Jerusalem.” That’s the Christian symbol for the wholeness we all seek. Johnson warns of the danger in approaching this search “literally” rather than symbolically or ceremonially. He also congratulates and affirms all of us addicts who were, in essence, truly seeking wholeness but going about it in wrong and deeply destructive ways. In the end, spirituality proves to be “the easier, softer way.” Show Notes: Inner Gold: Understanding Psychological Projection by Robert A. Johnson. https://www.amazon.com/Inner-Gold-Understanding-Psychological-Projection/dp/1630514632 If this has been helpful to you; please like, subscribe, share, and keep coming back!

Father Bill continues a deep dive into Robert Johnson’s Inner Gold: Understanding Psychological Projection. This episode examines the love story told by Dante in his Divine Comedy. The vision of his beloved but elusive Beatrice captivates him and marks him for life. Holding on to the vision while learning to “live life on life’s terms” sends him on a journey to hell and back. It’s a story and a journey we can all relate to and one that Robert Johnson tells so very well. Show Notes: Inner Gold: Understanding Psychological Projection by Robert A. Johnson. https://www.amazon.com/Inner-Gold-Understanding-Psychological-Projection/dp/1630514632 If this has been helpful to you; please like, subscribe, share, and keep coming back!

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://www.amazon.com/Inner-Gold-Understanding-Psychological-Projection/dp/1630514632 If this has been helpful to you; please like, subscribe, share, and keep coming back!

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://www.amazon.com/Inner-Gold-Understanding-Psychological-Projection/dp/1630514632 Three Faces of Love – A YouTube talk by Robert A. Johnson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR9na8rbrHI Emotional Sobriety by Bill Wilson (1953) https://www.e-aa.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16330 Image of a priest holding a monstrance: https://rb.gy/gwbztu If this has been helpful to you; please like, subscribe, share, and keep coming back!

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-Psychological-Projection/dp/1630514632 A New Pair of Glasses by Chuck C. This little book is an AA classic and belongs in every recovery library. https://www.amazon.com/New-Pair-Glasses-Chuck-Chamberlain/dp/B001GROGCO Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. This book has helped many find the key to meaning and purpose in recovery. https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/080701429X Rites of Passage. Most every primitive and tribal culture developed Rites of Passage to initiate young boys as they moved into manhood. See a general description here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rite_of_passage See Richard Rohr’s book on the subject here: https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Man-Wise-Reflections-Spirituality/dp/0867167408/ref=asc_df_0867167408/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312407247347&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3376962776403465728&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028223&hvtargid=pla-531049239301&psc=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/Transformation-Understanding-Levels-Masculine-Consciousness/dp/0062505432/ Additional resource: Fire in the Belly: On Being A Man, by Sam Keen  https://rb.gy/1ljug8 If this has been helpful to you; please like, subscribe, share, and keep coming back!

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 the Three Levels of Masculine Consciousness by Robert A. Johnson https://www.amazon.com/Transformation-Understanding-Levels-Masculine-Consciousness/dp/0062505432/ 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.

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: Transformation: Understanding the Three Levels of Masculine Consciousness by Robert A. Johnson https://www.amazon.com/Transformation-Understanding-Levels-Masculine-Consciousness/dp/0062505432/