Many cultures develop rites of passage specifically designed to help a boy transition into manhood. It’s a difficult and dangerous journey, many get lost along the way, and a detour into alcohol and drugs only compound and delay it. Sadly, some never make it.This series explores the book “HE” written by Jungian analyst Robert A. Johnson. It centers on the medieval myth “the Search for the Holy Grail,” as young Parsifal goes in search of what it takes to become a man – a man in service to a Power greater than himself. Fr. Bill is joined by fellow spiritual seekers and “12-Step Knights of the Roundtable” James R, PhD, a college English professor from Alaska and Fr. James R. an Episcopal priest and scientist from Florida.  As the trio follow Parsifal on his journey they’ll share some of their own experiences and strengths, along with the dragons they met along the way. Please note, this series is as much for women as for men since the inner masculine resides in the psyche of both sexes.Episode four concludes this series. Parsifal failed in his first attempt at the Grail Castle but years of wandering and succeeding at the more mundane tasks of life have left him hungering for a return. Johnson calls these, a man’s “Dry Years.” Parsifal is aided by two more characters: a Hideous Damsel and an Inner Hermit.The panel “sums up” this “Journey from Boy to Man” especially as applied to those of us in recovery. Show notes:·      HE by Robert A. Johnson·      TRANSFORMATION by Robert A. Johnson ·      RECOVERY WRITINGS by James Ryan·      StepStudy.org website https://stepstudy.org/

Many cultures develop rites of passage specifically designed to help a boy transition into manhood. It’s a difficult and dangerous journey, many get lost along the way, and a detour into alcohol and drugs only compound and delay it. Sadly, some never make it.This series explores the book “HE” written by Jungian analyst Robert A. Johnson. It centers on the medieval myth “the Search for the Holy Grail,” as young Parsifal goes in search of what it takes to become a man – a man in service to a Power greater than himself.  Fr. Bill is joined by fellow spiritual seekers and “12-Step Knights of the Roundtable” James R, PhD, a college English professor from Alaska and Fr. James R. an Episcopal priest and scientist from Florida.  As the trio follow Parsifal on his journey they’ll share some of their own experiences and strengths, along with the dragons they met along the way. Please note, this series is as much for women as for men since the inner masculine resides in the psyche of both sexes.Episode three brings Parsifal to the Grail Castle. Discussion centers on what it means for a man to enter the castle, the things that keep him from entering or maintaining the experience gained, and what are the consequences of losing access to the Castle.Show notes:·  HE by Robert A. Johnson ·  RECOVERY WRITINGS by James Ryan·  StepStudy.org website https://stepstudy.org/

Many cultures develop rites of passage specifically designed to help a boy transition into manhood. It’s a difficult and dangerous journey, many get lost along the way, and a detour into alcohol and drugs only compound and delay it. Sadly, some never make it.This series explores the book “HE” written by Jungian analyst Robert A. Johnson. It centers on the medieval myth “the Search for the Holy Grail,” as young Parsifal goes in search of what it takes to become a man – a man in service to a Power greater than himself.  Fr. Bill is joined by fellow spiritual seekers and “12-Step Knights of the Roundtable” James R, PhD, a college English professor from Alaska and Fr. James R. an Episcopal priest and scientist from Florida.  As the trio follow Parsifal on his journey they’ll share some of their own experiences and strengths, along with the dragons they met along the way. Please note, this series is as much for women as for men since the inner masculine resides in the psyche of both sexes.Episode two explores the challenges a young boy faces as he sets out on his journey to manhood. Here he meets a cast of inner characters: his instincts (the Red Knight), his inner feminine muse (Blanche Fleur), his spirit guide and mentor (Gournamond), all as he avoids being trapped by the remnants of his mother-complex (Heart’s Sorrow).Show notes:·      HE by Robert A. Johnson ·      RECOVERY WRITINGS by James Ryan·      StepStudy.org website https://stepstudy.org/

Many cultures develop rites of passage specifically designed to help a boy transition into manhood. It’s a difficult and dangerous journey, many get lost along the way, and a detour into alcohol and drugs only compound and delay it. Sadly, some never make it.This series explores the book “HE” written by Jungian analyst Robert A. Johnson. It centers on the medieval myth “the Search for the Holy Grail,” as young Parsifal goes in search of what it takes to become a man – a man in service to a Power greater than himself.  Fr. Bill is joined by fellow spiritual seekers and “12-Step Knights of the Roundtable” James R, PhD, a college English professor from Alaska and Fr. James R. an Episcopal priest and scientist from Florida.  As the trio follow Parsifal on his journey they’ll share some of their own experiences and strengths, along with the dragons they met along the way. Please note, this series is as much for women as for men since the inner masculine resides in the psyche of both sexes.Episode one introduces the panel and explores the nature of myth and the soul’s inner search for wholeness.Show notes:·      HE by Robert A. Johnson·      RECOVERY WRITINGS by James Ryan·      StepStudy.org website https://stepstudy.org/

Steps 3 and 11 frame the vision for a wholly new way of life. It’s one lived, not under the direction of the ego but under the guidance and direction of a Power greater than ourselves. But the ego still has a role to play and that’s through the right use of the will. The purpose of the will is: TO BE WILLING!In this series, Fr. Bill explores a talk delivered by Quaker mystic Thomas R. Kelly. It’s titled HOLY OBEDIENCE. There’s a free pdf link in the show notes below. It’s also one of several essays found in Kelly’s book A Testament of Devotion. It makes for great reading in a morning Quiet Time. But a word of caution. Read it slowly; it’s a lot of truth for a poor ego to swallow all at once!Show notes:Holy Obedience by Thomas R. Kellyhttps://quaker.org/legacy/pamphlets/wpl1939a.html A Testament of Devotion by Thomas R. Kelly with an Introduction by Richard J. Foster

Steps 3 and 11 frame the vision for a wholly new way of life. It’s one lived, not under the direction of the ego but under the guidance and direction of a Power greater than ourselves. But the ego has a role to play and that’s through the right use of the will. The purpose of the will is: TO BE WILLING!In this series, Fr. Bill explores an essay by Quaker mystic Thomas R. Kelly titled HOLY OBEDIENCE. There’s a free pdf link in the show notes below. It’s also one of several articles found in Kelly’s book A Testament of Devotion. It makes for great reading in a morning Quiet Time. But a word of caution. Read it slowly; it’s a lot for a poor ego to swallow all at once!Show notes:Holy Obedience by Thomas R. Kellyhttps://quaker.org/legacy/pamphlets/wpl1939a.htmlA Testament of Devotion by Thomas R. Kelly with an Introduction by Richard J. Foster

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

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

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/

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"