When setting off on any journey, it’s best to know your intended destination in advance. On the 12th Step journey, to use the Big Book’s original wording, that means following the 12 Steps to arrive at a transformational spiritual experience - one powerful enough to overcome addiction. Of course, the wording of the 12th Step was soon changed to “a spiritual awakening” not wanting to scare newcomers away. But when Bill Wilson tried changing it back to the original, AA wouldn’t let him.
This single episode describes the “psychic change” the Steps are intended to bring about using three quotes to describe the experience. First, a definition that originated with William James in his Varieties of Religious Experience; second, the description contained in the Big Book; and finally, a helpful quote from Jungian author Robert A. Johnson’s book Transformation. These quotes are contained in a handout found in the show notes.
Show notes:
Quantum Change by Professor William Miller
Transformation by Robert A. Johnson
Jung’s Answer to Job https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Answer_to_Job