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 explo...
Over thirty years ago an AA archivist gave me a book that
changed my life. It’s one of the best descriptions of the Oxford Group program out of which AA would later blossom and grow. Published in 1933 and titled WHAT IS THE OXFORD GROUP? the anonymous author lays out many of the principles and practices that Bill Wilson drew from in writing the Big Book. If you’re ready for a life-changing shift to your program, this series may be for you. The book is available free through a link in the show notes.
This episode explores RESTITUTION as it was understood and practiced by the AA pioneers. Making amends for our past wrongs affects others as much as ourselves and requires guidance and courage in knowing how best to proceed.
Show Notes:
Pdf copy of What is the Oxford Group?
https://stepstudy.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/what_is.pdf
Link to the hymn: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kimLXNhzZMA
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28:20
AA's Spiritual Roots: Surrender to Win
Over thirty years ago an AA archivist gave me a book that changed my life. It’s one of the best descriptions of the Oxford Group program out of which AA would later blossom and grow. Published in 1933 and titled WHAT IS THE OXFORD GROUP? the anonymous author lays out many of the principles and practices that Bill Wilson drew from in writing the Big Book. If you’re ready for a life-changing shift to your program, this series may be for you. The book is available free through a link in the show notes.
This episode explores SURRENDER as it was understood and
practiced by the AA pioneers. Interestingly, it’s a word that’s never used in the first 164 pages of the Big Book.
Show Notes:
What is the Oxford Group?
https://stepstudy.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/what_is.pdf
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33:15
AA's Spiritual Roots: Sharing the S Bomb
This episode tackles a subject that’s pretty much taboo in
12-Step meetings: SIN. It was a key concept in the Group and Bill Wilson called it by different names in the Big Book. Don’t let prejudice or negative past experiences keep you from listening. You may find a “life-changing” key to your Program.
Show Notes:
What is the Oxford Group?
https://stepstudy.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/what_is.pdf
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55:13
AA's Spiritual Roots: House Parties & Frank Buchman
Over thirty years ago an AA archivist gave me a book that
changed my life. It’s one of the best descriptions of the Oxford Group program out of which AA would later blossom and grow. Published in 1933 and titled WHAT IS THE OXFORD GROUP? the anonymous author lays out many of the principles and practices that Bill Wilson drew from in writing the Big Book. If you’re ready for a life-changing shift to your program, this series may be for you. This episode completes chapter one and is focused on the Group’s unique use of house-parties and on the Group’s founder Frank Buchman. It’s focused on what AA took forward and what it left behind.
Show Notes:
Pdf copy of What is the Oxford Group? https://stepstudy.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/what_is.pdf
Picture of Caux
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39:56
AA's Spiritual Roots: Digging into the Oxford Group
Over thirty years ago an AA archivist gave me a book that changed my life. It’s one of the best descriptions of the Oxford Group program out of which AA would later blossom and grow. Published in 1933 and titled WHAT IS THE OXFORD GROUP? the anonymous author lays out many of the principles and practices that Bill Wilson drew from in writing the Big Book. If you’re ready for a life-changing shift to your program, this series may be for you.
The book is available free here:
https://stepstudy.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/what_is.pdf
Pdf copy of What is the Oxford Group?
https://stepstudy.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/what_is.pdf
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.
Ireland