Meeting the Great Reality Within: Finding a Guide to Take Us There

A book I’ve often returned to in my morning Quiet Times is Thomas R. Kelly’s  A Testament of Devotion. Kelly was a Quaker and a mystic. His book centers on what the Big Book calls “the Great Reality within.” Since it’s a Greater Reality we can never understand it – but we can experience it – and mystics like Kelly come as close as humans can come to describing what such an experience - and still more – what such a relationship is like. In this episode Fr. Bill focuses on Kelly’s first chapter: The Inner Light. It’s a Light sure to illuminate the path of any spiritual seeker. A Testament of Devotion by Thomas R. Kelly Passage from The Light Within by Thomas R. Kelly: … Deep within us all there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine Center, a speaking Voice, to which we may continuously return. Eternity is at our hearts, pressing upon our time-torn lives, warming us with intimations of an astounding destiny, calling us home unto Itself. Yielding to these persuasions, gladly committing ourselves in body and soul, utterly and completely, to the Light Within, is the beginning of true life. It is a dynamic center, a creative Life that presses to birth within us. It is a Light Within which illumines the face of God and casts new shadows and new glories upon the face of men. It is a seed stirring to life if we do not choke it. It is the Shekinah of the soul, the Presence in the midst. Here is the Slumbering Christ, stirring to be awakened, to become the soul we clothe in earthly form and action. And He is within us all. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

Many early AAs were prolific readers. Dr. Bob left a library overflowing with spiritual literature and for Oxford Group members spiritual reading formed an important part of their daily morning quiet times. When I’m asked, “What books do you recommend?” to read before doing Two Way Prayer, I’m hesitant to answer as we’re each very different. But, for me, there's one book I’ve returned to several times and it never fails to speak to the deepest longings of my soul. The Big Book says the Great Reality is within. Thomas R. Kelly’s book A Testament of Devotion sheds a Light that helps illuminate that inward journey. Come along for the ride! A Testament of Devotion by Thomas R. Kelly --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

In this Golden Oldie, Father Bill interviews Professor William Miller, author of Quantum Change: When Epiphanies and Sudden Insights Transform Ordinary Lives. Listen as the professor reflects on his in-depth study of psychic change. It’s a lively discussion of spirituality and science. Quantum Change: When Epiphanies and Sudden Insights Transform Ordinary Lives by William Miller https://williamrmiller.net/quantum-change/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

Description: Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob and the AA Pioneers found sobriety primarily by working the principles and practices of the Oxford Group and adapting them to meet the needs of alcoholics. This series traces that early history. It draws from the 1980 AA publication Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers.  Fr. Bill’s guest is recovery archivist Matt D. from the 12-Step Fellowship All Addicts Anonymous. In this final episode they focus on Dr. Bob’s legacy to AA. Show Notes:  Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers All Addicts Anonymous: https://alladdictsanonymous.org/  Return from Tomorrow by George Ritchie Denial of Death by Ernest Becker --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob and the AA Pioneers became sober primarily by working the principles and practices of the Oxford Group and adapting them to meet the needs of alcoholics. This series traces that early history. It draws from the 1980 AA publication Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers. Fr. Bill’s guest is recovery archivist Matt D. from the 12-Step Fellowship All Addicts Anonymous. In this sixth episode they explore Chapters 15 through 18 as AA meetings evolve in Akron and Cleveland where Dr. Bob’s influence is remembered. Show Notes: Dr. Bob and The Good Old Timers All Addicts Anonymous: https://alladdictsanonymous.org/ 1939 Cleveland Plain Dealer AA Articles 1939 Rev. Dilworth Lupton’s Sermon     Article on Matthew Talbot      Saint Francis by Nikos Kazantzakis --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob and the AA pioneers gained their sobriety primarily by working the principles found in the Oxford Group and adapting them to the special needs of alcoholics. This series traces that early history. It draws from the 1980 AA publication Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers. Fr. Bill’s guest is recovery archivist Matt D. from the 12-Step Fellowship All Addicts Anonymous. In this fifth episode they explore Chapters 12,13, and 14 as the alcoholics in the Midwest strike out on their own. Show Notes:  Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers All Addicts Anonymous: https://alladdictsanonymous.org/ Your Faith Magazine: 1939 article by Dr. Bob (courtesy Silkworth.net) https://silkworth.net/alcoholics-anonymous/i-saw-religion-remake-a-drunkard/#google_vignette  AA Saturday Evening Post: article on AA, 1941 https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2015/12/aa/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob and the AA pioneers gained their sobriety primarily by working the principles found in the Oxford Group and adapting them to the special needs of alcoholics. This series traces that early history. It draws from the 1980 AA publication Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers. Fr. Bill’s guest is recovery archivist Matt D. from the 12-Step Fellowship All Addicts Anonymous. In this fourth episode they explore Chapters 9,10 and11 as the original program starts to take shape. Show Notes: Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers All Addicts Anonymous Dr. Bob’s Last Talk --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob and the AA pioneers gained their sobriety primarily by working the principles found in the Oxford Group and adapting them to the special needs of alcoholics. This series traces that early history. It draws from the 1980 AA publication Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers. Fr. Bill’s guest is recovery archivist Matt D. from the 12-Step Fellowship All Addicts Anonymous. In this third episode they explore Chapters 7 and 8 as the co-founders go to work on AA number Three and chart their course of recovery. Show Notes:  Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers All Addicts Anonymous --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob and the AA pioneers gained their sobriety by working the principles found in the Oxford Group and adapting them to the special needs of alcoholics. This series traces this early history. It draws from the 1980 AA publication Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers. Fr. Bill’s guest is recovery archivist Matt D. from the 12-Step Fellowship All Addicts Anonymous. In this episode they explore the two year period when Bob was faithfully attending Oxford Group meetings but unable to stay sober. Then Bill arrived providentially and a spark was lit that ignited the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Show Notes: Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers All Addicts Anonymis --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

A recovery program for alcoholics existed before the Big Book was written, and before the 12 Steps ever came to be. Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob and the original members of AA gained their sobriety by working the principles and practices found in the Oxford Group and adapting them to the special needs of alcoholics. This series traces some of this early history. It draws from the 1980 AA publication Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers. Fr. Bill’s guest is recovery archivist Matt D. from the 12-Step Fellowship All Addicts Anonymous. In this first episode Matt shares some of his own story, explores what the original Akron program was like, how it differed from modern-day AA, and why that original program attracted him. Fr. Bill and Matt then go on to explore highlights from Dr. Bob’s early life and recovery. Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers All Addicts Anonymous: https://alladdictsanonymous.org/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support