This series focuses on Harold Begbie’s book Life Changers. Published in 1922 it describes key elements in Frank Buchman’s program of radical change from which AA drew so many of its principles and practices. Studying the source material for the 12-Steps can give us insights into the transformational process the Group was trying to achieve both in individuals and in nations. They can prove invaluable to anyone whose recovery has lost its “zing” or to individuals unable to recover because of a “watered down” recovery approach. Fr. Bill focuses on chapters 3 through 9 of Life Changers drawing broadly from the stories of some who attended the 1922 house party and the elements that helped bring about their change. Show notes: Life Changers:https://www.amazon.com/Life-Changers-13th-Harold-Begbie/dp/1439232067War of the Gods in Addiction by David Schoen:https://www.amazon.com/War-Gods-Addiction-David-Schoen/dp/1882670574Varieties of Religious Experience by William James (free / pdf version)https://csrs.nd.edu/assets/59930/williams_1902.pdf
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Life Changers: The Soul Surgeon
This series is focused on Harold Begbie’s book Life Changers. Published in 1922 it describes key elements in Frank Buchman’s program of radical change from which AA drew so much. Studying the source material for the 12-Steps can give us insights into the transformation process the Group was trying to achieve both in individuals and in nations. These can prove invaluable to anyone whose recovery has lost its “zing” or to individuals unable to recover because of a “watered down” recovery approach. Fr. Bill focuses on chapter two of Begbie’s book describing the founder of the Oxford Group as a “soul surgeon”- a man capable of cutting out anything that keeps a person from a full recovery. Show notes: Life Changers: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Changers-13th-Harold-Begbie/dp/1439232067
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Life Changers: It Begins with Trust
This series is focused on Harold Begbie’s book Life Changers. First published in 1922 it describes some of the key elements in Frank Buchman’s program of radical change from which AA had its birth. Studying the source material for the 12-Steps can give us insights into the transformation process the Group was trying to achieve both in individuals and in the lost culture of the times. Understanding these more fully and putting some of them to work for us can prove invaluable to anyone whose recovery has lost its “zing” or to individuals unable to recover because of a “watered down” recovery approach that isn’t working for them. They say “some of us are sicker than others” and the solution for some may be taking a stronger dose of medicine than others. The author identifies some of that strong medicine. The book is available in affordable reprints listed in the show notes.Show notes: Life Changers by Harold Begbie
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Life is Not a Dead End
I was invited to share with the “As Bill Sees It – AA Group” in Sheffield, England on March 30th , 2025. The speaker shares on one of Bill Wilson’s writings. I chose a selection from the 12 & 12: “When a man or a woman has a spiritual awakening, the most important meaning of it is that he has now become able to do, feel, and believe that which he could not do before on his unaided strength and resources alone. He has been granted a gift which amounts to a new state of consciousness and being.“He has been set on a path which tells him he is really going somewhere, that life is not a dead end, not something to be endured or mastered. In a very real sense he has been transformed, because he has laid hold of a source of strength which he had hitherto denied himself.” Hope you enjoy!
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Intervention Day
Jeff and Debra Jay are the co-authors of Love First: A Family’s Guide to Intervention. Now in its third edition, their book has helped thousands of families find new lives in recovery. The series addresses how families can be empowered to help a loved one still in denial, how to prepare properly for an intervention, and how the intervention can best be assured to succeed. In this episode Father Bill and Jeff discuss what happens on the day of an intervention along with some suggestions for special cases. If you’ve ever been told “you can’t help an alcoholic or addict until they ask for help” you won’t want to miss this series.Show Notes: Love First: A Family’s Guide to Intervention (The book) by Jeff and Debra JayLove First website: (Helpful material to learn more about addiction, intervention, and family recovery)https://lovefirst.net/structured-family-recovery/#top The Hijacked Brain by Dr. Henrietta Barnes, MD
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