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Father Bill W.: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Father Bill W.
I’m an Episcopal (Anglican) priest in recovery from alcoholism since 1972. I've spent my career in addiction treatment focused on 12-Step spirituality and exploring the pioneer history of AA. In discovering the lost 11th Step practice of Two Way Prayer, my program underwent a life-changing transformation. As Bill Wilson said, “ something was lost from AA when we stopped emphasizing the morning meditation." My mission now is helping people in 12-Step Fellowships explore a deeper understanding of spiritual practice and how it connects us to the "Great Reality" within. -Fr. Bill W.
Latest Episodes
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- Today20 min
The Last Three Steps: When the Juice Runs Dry
In the episode Fr. Bill shares some experience and advice for keeping the 12-Step program simple and alive. If you’re a long-term listener, you probably won’t find much new here, but hopefully hearing the simple recovery message in simple language can start the recovery juices flowing again.Show notes: The Will of God and a Man’s Life Work by Henry B. Wright The Power of Two Way Prayer
- 1 weeks ago27 min
How to Start a Two Way Prayer Group
We all know the saying, “You have to give it away to keep it.” That idea may be especially true of the practice of Two Way Prayer. Listening for God’s guidance was at the center of the transformative practices of the Oxford Group, and those of us who have been fortunate enough to rediscover it have a responsibility to share it with others. One way of passing it on may be starting a Two Way Prayer Group.In this episode, Fr. Bill shares his experience in doing this. Even if you’re not ready to start a group of your own, you’ll probably find the information helpful. But if you are willing to take the leap of faith it requires to start a group, you’ll find it indispensable.Show notes:A suggested meeting format. (attached)The Power of Two Way Prayer by Father Bill W.TWP Workshop/Video twowayprayer.org
- 2 weeks ago48 min
Henrietta Seiberling - The Woman Behind the AA Curtain
Most in recovery know that Henrietta was the woman who answered a phone call from Bill Wilson and put him in touch with Dr. Bob; but there’s a whole lot more to her story than that. In this episode Fr. Bill interviews Julie Frye who served for ten years as curator of the Seiberling mansion and gatehouse and knows more about Henrietta than most anyone alive. As Founder’s Day approaches, come learn more about this amazing woman and the critical role she played in the birth of Alcoholics Anonymous.Show Notes:PowerPoint Presentation of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens with Julie FryeAnne Smith’s JournalThe Cleveland Symphony Orchestrahttps://www.clevelandorchestra.com/
- 3 weeks ago9 min
A Footnote on Experience vs Awakening
In this short episode, Fr. Bill reflects on a brief recording of Bill Wilson’s unsuccessful attempts to return to the original 12 Step wording of “spiritual experience” over “spiritual awakening.” He also comments on Fr. Dowling’s words to the 20th Anniversary Gathering of AA in St. Louis where he said, “Istill weep that the elders of the movement have dropped the word ‘experience’ for ‘awakening.’” No need to weep, but it’s good information to know.Show notes:Father Ed by Dawn Eden GoldsteinBill Wilson's recorded commentary on "Experience"
- 4 weeks ago52 min
Father Ed Dowling: Bill W's Spiritual Sponsor
Throughout his life, Father Ed was attracted to those who suffered - and since AA describes itself as “a program of attraction,” there’s little wonder this Jesuit priest was drawn to 12-Step members from the Program’s earliest days. In 1940, Dowling saw a troubled man recover from the depths of alcoholic despair and soon after witnessing this miracle he traveled to New York to meet AA’s co-founder, Bill Wilson. He wanted to learn how AA worked.Thus began a spiritual friendship between two men that continued throughout Fr. Ed’s life. Bill later wrote of Ed, “He became just about the closest friend I shall ever have - and my spiritual advisor, too. He took me through some of my rough going, which, without his counsel and love, I might never have survived.”Fr. Bill interviews Dawn Eden Goldstein, author of a new and much needed biography of Father Ed. Her book is a “must read” for those interested in AA history and will prove a valuable study guide for anyone wanting to discover the love of God that lies at the heart of every genuine 12-Step recovery. Show notes:Father Ed by Dawn Eden GoldsteinDawn Eden contact: https://dawneden.blogspot.com/"...and Bill described this in front of Father Ed atthe AA Comes of Age Conference in St Louis in 1955, you can hear Bill'sintroduction and Father Ed's address on YouTube."https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQYhXb4eNEUwww.twowayprayer.org
- May 11, 202643 min
Love Leads Us Home
This series address what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us humans – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine?People have been asking these questions for as long as we’ve been on this earth but for us “real” alcoholics and addicts whose lives depend on finding a spiritual solution to our addiction death sentence, it’s more than a matter of speculation.People have been asking these questions for as long as we’ve been on this earth but for us “real” alcoholics and addicts whose lives depend on finding a spiritual solution to our addiction death sentence, it’s more than a matter of speculation.In this episode Bill and Fr. James explore the final two chapters of John Caputo’s book What to Believe? Chapters focus on the Nature of Real Love and How It Relates Us to God.Show notes:John Caputo’s book What to Believe?
- May 4, 202645 min
What in God's Name?
This series address what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us humans – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People have been asking these questions for as long as we’ve been on this earth but for us “real” alcoholics and addicts whose lives depend on finding a spiritual solution to our addiction death sentence, it’s more than a matter of speculation. People have been asking these questions for as long as we’ve been on this earth but for us “real” alcoholics and addicts whose lives depend on finding a spiritual solution to our addiction death sentence, it’s more than a matter of speculation. In this episode Bill and Fr. James explore the next two chapters of John Caputo’s book What to Believe? Chapters focus on “What is going on in God’s name” and “Whether or not God will have been may be up to us.” Two more easy lessons!Show notes:John Caputo’s book What to Believe?
- Apr 27, 202649 min
Let Go Absolutely - For Real???
This series address what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us humans – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People have been asking these questions for as long as we’ve been on this earth but for us “real” alcoholics and addicts whose lives depend on finding a spiritual solution to our addiction death sentence, it’s more than a matter of speculation. People have been asking these questions for as long as we’ve been on this earth but for us “real” alcoholics and addicts whose lives depend on finding a spiritual solution to our addiction death sentence, it’s more than a matter of speculation. In this episode Bill and Fr. James explore the next two chapters of John Caputo’s book What to Believe? The chapters focus on “the Event,” what’s really going on in the name of God. Caputo says, “this is what to believe, what we really can and do believe, regardless of whether we ‘believe in God.’”Show notes:John Caputo’s book What to Believe?
About Father Bill W.
I’m an Episcopal (Anglican) priest in recovery from alcoholism since 1972. I've spent my career in addiction treatment focused on 12-Step spirituality and exploring the pioneer history of AA. In discovering the lost 11th Step practice of Two Way Prayer, my program underwent a life-changing transformation. As Bill Wilson said, “ something was lost from AA when we stopped emphasizing the morning meditation." My mission now is helping people in 12-Step Fellowships explore a deeper understanding of spiritual practice and how it connects us to the "Great Reality" within. -Fr. Bill W.
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