In 1930, there was an alcoholic named Roland Hazard, an Oxford group member, who visited on more than one occasion the noted psychiatrist, Dr. Carl Jung. After Roland had some drinking failures Dr. Jung gave him the solution for Alcoholism, which is a vital spiritual experience. Spiritual is defined as of or pertaining to God. Vital is defined : life giving. We had to give life to our experience with God by surrendering our will to the will of God.
During this historic visit Dr. Jung said to Roland Hazard, "you have the mind of a chronic alcoholic, and I have never seen one single case recover where the state of mind existed to the extent that it does in you." Roland thought the gates of hell had closed on him. He asked, "is there no exception," "Yes," replied the Doctor , "there is. Exceptions to cases such as yours have been occurring since early times. Here and there, once in awhile alcoholics have had what are called VITAL SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES." I recant these passages which are part of the chapter THERE IS A SOLUTION in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous so that we clearly know that the solution to our Alcoholism is A Vital Spiritual Experience and The Genesis of that experience is God. In the chapter, How It Works, in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous it says "may you find Him now."
If you are alcoholic and wish to recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body, then subordinate and surrender your will to the will of God and you will live in the solution to your alcoholism.
Written By Armand
In a subsequent exchange of letters between Bill W. and Dr. Jung, Dr Jung opined that a vital spiritual experience could happen as the result of "walking on a "new path" which leads to "higher understanding". That process may involve an "act of grace, personal and honest contact with friends (community), or by a higher education of the mind beyond mere rationalism". He cautioned that "evil principles" prevail in this world which can only be counteracted by real religious insight or by a protective wall of human community. Bill interpreted that only the act of one alcoholic helping another alcoholic by sharing his experience, strength and hope could lead the alcoholic to freedom and beyond. All through a vital spiritual experience.
ReplyDeleteMichael always great to have historical insight. Very helpful. The AA program is clear in How It Works as it says "that One is God may you find Him Now"...Thank you...Armand
DeleteHere we find Roland Hazard experiencing recurring relapses. To be spiritually reborn, the Oxford Group advocated four practices: 1. The sharing of our sins and temptations with another Christian life given to God. 2. Surrender our life past, present and future, into God's keeping and direction. 3. Restitution to all whom we have wronged directly or indirectly. 4. Listening for God's guidance, and carrying it out.
ReplyDeleteSources tell us "The development of Alcoholics Anonymous, with its origins in the Oxford Groups, has a very distinct Judeo-Christian heritage. Indeed, the "Oxford Groups" were regarded as practicing first century Christianity. But the wisdom of the founding fathers in AA was shown when they penned the Third Step, "We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understood Him." They understood the pervasive shame of being alcoholic, and they resented anyone else telling them they were sinners. They were quite capable of self-condemnation all by themselves, they didn't need any help from holier-than-thou hypocrites they had seen in the bars themselves."
The complete cleansing of guilt and shame and gift of the Holy Spirit that propels the deep change in mind, soul and spirit is the "repentance" spoken of in the Bible which Dr. Carl Jung described as a "vital spiritual experience."
Of the two greek words used to describe the english word repentance. The first word, Metamellomai, a noun which "denotes painful sorrow or remorseful regret and is, of itself, not sufficient to change life". Biblical scholar A. T. Robertson adds the comments that Judas had only sorrow and regret and “mere sorrow avails nothing unless it leads to change of mind and life".
It is the second greek word Metanoeō, the greek verb, describing a 180 degree change in direction involving the heart, the mind and the inner life. This is the "vital spiritual experience" of repentance spoken of in both Old and New Testament, declared by John the Baptist and confirmed by Jesus Christ Himself. It is of little matter whether we posses all the worlds riches or are dispossessed of all. We do not do it alone for we turn to a Person, receive a Person, and embrace a Person, who's name is Jesus Christ. And we do so with the strength that He gives us through the gift, presence and power of the Holy Spirit of God... What once appeared a myth is now an all encompassing reality and although there is a certain hardness about it His grace is sufficient... Once we reach out to Jesus and surrender to Him, there is a change, there is a purpose, there is a joy in life that no one can take away. It's been many years since this gratefully recovering alcoholic was propelled by inspiration on the heels of desperation to make that fateful first decision. Many I know have followed and are living proof of a Joy-Filled-Life. And that, as the poet once wrote, has made all the difference...
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
A Grateful Recovering Alcoholic love when you wrote "inspiration on the heels of desperation." For us alcoholics it takes a ruinous life to surrender our nature to the will of God received through inspiration...Thank you...Armand
DeleteIn order to do this, you need to use the named ladder at the definite major site. 네임드사다리
ReplyDelete