Father Bill W.

Fr. Bill’s and William James author Paul S. continue the discussion. “Letting go” is the focus. Not working so hard, but actually working less as we discover the Great Reality has been there all along just waiting for us to open the door of our inner worlds. We often make the Steps so much harder than they need to be. Lighten up – and discover the light within. 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 Here’s the 1935 cartoon I mentioned. A bit embarrassed to share this but the Kid in me appreciates my acknowledging his pain! Click here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6je1eIhbVvg

Fr. Bill’s guest is Paul S., author of a new book on William James, known as the Father of American psychology and twice referenced in the Big Book. This episode explores the underlying feeling state of most addicts as we first discover the mystical elements of drugs and alcohol only to be thrown into the dark places, they ultimately lead us. Step One comes alive in the discussion and gives listeners a deeper appreciation of how the seeds of recovery are present within the pain. The series will examine James in reference to each of the 12-Steps. Paul’s new book Titled “We Agnostics: William James…” is available here: https://www.amazon.com/Agnostics-Psychology-Spiritual-Addiction-Venerated/dp/B09JRD6VX2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=46V4YIM5PRWM&keywords=we+agnostics+how+william+james&qid=1639860009&s=books&sprefix=we+agnostics%2Cstripbooks%2C90&sr=1-1/ 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://www.amazon.com/William-James-Maelstrom-American-Modernism/dp/0618919899 Fr. Bill referenced a set of quotes from the Big Book related to HOPELESSNESS. If you would like a copy, please write to him at: TwoWayPrayer@gmail.com If this has been helpful to you, please like, subscribe, and share.

This is the third and final episode of Fr. Bill’s 12-Step Workshop. The Steps are presented from the perspective of the Pioneer members of AA and the purpose of the series is to help Keep It Simple! This episode centers around the last three Steps: 10, 11, and 12. It sees them as the main area of focus for someone who has completed their Step work. But this is more than MAINTENANCE. It is receiving DIRECTION from our Higher Power and the Guidance we need for living our lives. If this has been helpful to you, please like, subscribe, and share.

This is the second of Father Bill’s 12-Step Workshop. The Steps are presented from the perspective of the Pioneer members of AA and the hope of the series is to help us “Keep It Simple!” This episode focuses on how to remove the barriers existing between ourselves and God as well as between ourselves and others. Again, you'll see it's a whole lot easier than you may have thought! Show notes: A copy of the PowerPoint presentation and handouts that accompanied this original Zoom workshop (11.06.2021) are available by request through: TwoWayPrayer@gmail.com The Harry Tiebout article: Ego Factors in Surrender courtesy of Silkworth.net can be found here:  https://silkworth.net/alcoholics-anonymous/the-ego-factors-in-surrender-in-alcoholism/ Be sure to subscribe for more recovery series and if this has been helpful for you along the way, we hope you will concider a small donation so we can continue to share this message with other recovery fellowships and their families. www.twowayprayer.org/donate-1  

This is the first of Father Bill’s three-part 12-Step Workshop. Each of the 12 Steps is presented from the perspective of the Pioneer members of AA and the hope of the series is to help us “Keep It Simple!” This episode focuses on how to establish a connection with God, with another person, and with our own True Selves as we begin recovery from addiction. You'll see it's a whole lot easier than you may have thought! Show notes: If you would like a copy of the PowerPoint presentation that accompanied this original workshop, email us at TwoWayPrayer@gmail.com

Matt D. and Father Bill conclude this series with an in-depth discussion of prayer and how it can unlock our hearts and open us to a deeper relationship with God. Show Notes: Invitation to a Great Experimentis out of print and costly on Amazon; however, it can be purchased affordably though through All Addicts Anonymous: alladdictsanonymous.org/store/ If finances are a problem, write to AllAddictsAnonymous@gmail.com to request a free electronic edition or information about AAA meetings. To learn more about Fr. Bill W's work, visit our website twowayprayer.org. Books and individuals mentioned during this episode: Gerald Heard: https://rb.gy/7arqvy C.S. Lewis: https://rb.gy/qrptzg The Art of Prayer: An Orthodox Anthology https://rb.gy/mxrhjs Leonard Cohen singing Hallelujah: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrLk4vdY28Q/ Jewish Midrash: https://rb.gy/ojlpvl Jean Pierre de Caussade, S.J.: https://rb.gy/wwdknh The Cloud of Unknowing: https://rb.gy/57zbkx Thomas Keating’s Open Mind Open Heart: https://rb.gy/5x24od How to Listen to God – the original Oxford Group pamphlet: https://rb.gy/ajzldj The Way of a Pilgrim (Excellent translation): https://rb.gy/vviisb

Father Bill and Matt D. from All Addicts Anonymous explore the questions Tom Powers raises: “Can God’s Will Be Known and Can It Be Done?” These are vital questions for addicts in recovery to understand and to answer. This episode may help point toward an answer. Invitation to a Great Experiment is out of print and costly on Amazon; however, it can be purchased affordably through All Addicts Anonymous. If finances are a problem, please write to AllAddictsAnonymous@Gmail.com to request a free electronic edition or information about meetings. Books mentioned on this episode: The Will of God by Leslie D. Weatherhead: https://rb.gy/bcuyng Alec Forbes of Howglen by George MacDonald: https://rb.gy/x6tgah

Archivist Matt D. and Father Bill continue an in-depth discussion focused on the spiritual truths and practices underlying 12-Step transformation. This episode includes the Way of Reason, the Way of Faith, and the Way of Experience. Show Notes:  Invitation to a Great Experiment is out of print and costly on Amazon; however, it can be purchased affordably though through All Addicts Anonymous.https://alladdictsanonymous.org/store/ If finances are a problem, please write to AllAddictsAnonymous@Gmail.com/to request a free electronic edition. Bill Wilson expresses his regret for changing SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE to AWAKENING in Step 12. This 3-minute share from AA’s Co-founder is hilarious and enlightening. https://www.aa.org/pages/en_us/archives-audio-library#audio-player/ Robert Johnson’s book TRANSFORMATION is mentioned in reference to the purgation or suffering that can help bring about change. A great read! https://www.amazon.com/Transformation-Understanding-Levels-Masculine-Consciousness/dp/0062505432/ Thomas R. Kelly was a modern-day Quaker mystic. His book A Testament of Devotion is a spiritual classic. Here’s a free copy – be sure to read the first essay on the Inner Light referenced in the podcast.  https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.90258/page/n5/mode/2up/ Joseph Campbell combined great literature with depth spirituality from many religions and world cultures. Always a great read from a wise fellow traveler. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Campbell/ Brother Lawrence’s classic The Practice of the Presence of God is a must read for the spiritual journey. Found in Dr. Bob’s library and a favorite among Oxford Group and early AA members.  https://www.amazon.com/Practice-Presence-God-Brother-Lawrence/dp/0883681056/

Fr. Bill continues his discussion of Tom Powers’ writings with Matt D. In this episode Matt describes three tools Tom said were needed by anyone setting out in search for God, "Find the Right People, Find the Right Books, and Find the Right Laboratory." Invitation to a Great Experiment is out of print and costly on Amazon; however, it can be purchased affordably through All Addicts Anonymous: alladdictsanonymous.org/store/ or write to AllAddictsAnonymous@Gmail.com/ and request a free electronic edition. Books and authors referenced in this episode: Gerald Heard: rb.gy/yy3r0n Aldous Huxley: rb.gy/yy3r0n   William James: rb.gy/f6ql5z Varieties of Religious Experience by William James: rb.gy/jj4edq Little Flowers of St. Francis: rb.gy/jqoegz C.S. Lewis: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._S._Lewis The Way of a Pilgrim by Nina Tourmanova : rb.gy/9a2cs0 Philokalia: rb.gy/cwxiru Robert A. Johnson: rb.gy/56rjsa The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gospel_of_Sri_Ramakrishna Ernie Kurtz: www.amazon.com/Not-God-Alcoholics-Ernest-Kurtz/dp/0894860658 Maurice Nicoll: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Nicoll Wild Bill Cody - Return from Tomorrow: www.tentmaker.org/newinspiration/chooselove.html

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 AllAddictsAnonymous@Gmail.com/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/