Bill wilson was one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous. When we are operating under the influence of our emotions verses the influence of our intelligence we are emotionally inebriate. We feel that elimination of our drinking is but a beginning i ook o aa. The next paragraph is the particular excerpt from bill wilson s writing that he referenced, followed by his question, followed by my response. Recently, i realized that there is another legacy that bill wilson left us. Bill wilson s fourth legacy was emotional sobriety. Pdf version one this is a basic version of the text of alcoholics anonymous. Jul 05, 20 recently, i realized that there is another legacy that bill wilson left us. This is the substance of a revealing letter which bill wilson wrote several years ago to a close. This book and its companion help define what emotional sobriety is. He found that physical sobriety is not enough to ensure mental peace in recovery.
Emotional sobriety by bill wilson alcoholics anonymous. Understand the concept of emotional sobriety and how we can use it to. This book is basically a paper version of an aa meeting, which is great if you need to hear a few stories, however left much to be desired on any pertinent info on emotional sobriety. Emotional sobriety, unpacking bill wilson s letter part three the montyman asks the question, why has it taken so long for our twelve step fellowships to understand that there is much more to recovery. The individual needs to also develop emotional sobriety. The letter appeared in the grapevine january, 1958. Its crucial that we take a look at the life of bill wilson, aka bill w. During this day long workshop they will unpack the psychological and spiritual wisdom of bill wilsons letter on emotional sobriety, explore the psychological and spiritual concepts that are related to emotional sobriety, and provide you with some tips and suggestions as to how to achieve emotional sobriety in recovery. Bill wilson paragraph 3, letter on emotional sobriety. Unpacking bill wilsons 1956 letter on emotional sobriety. Pauls story appeared in the third edition of the big book in 1975. Some might think that it means being happy, joyous, and free, a common adage in 12step meetings, taken from aa literature. Perhaps they will be the spearhead for the next major development in aa the development. The next step emotional sobriety in a working retreat format with dave f.
Berger expands on bill wilson s understanding of emotional sobriety. Bill s most intimate talk, delivered on november 16, 1950, a very sad day for aa. It was bill wilson the founder of alcoholics anonymous who named emotional sobriety as the next horizon to be met once addicts became physically sober. Six months earlier, bill wilson had been relieved of his drink obsession by a sudden spiritual experience 2. Many discover that happiness is a byproduct of giving without any demand for return.
Bill wilson essay on emotional sobriety dailystrength. To better define emotional sobriety, i want to unpack a letter that bill wilson wrote to help a depressed friend. The next frontier emotional sobriety aa grapevine, january, 1958 by bill w. Emotional sobriety by bill wilson i think that many oldsters who have put our aa to severe but successful tests still find they often lack emotional emotional sobriety by bill w soberrecovery. The film starred winona ryder as lois wilson and barry pepper as bill w. Emotional sobriety the next frontier emotional sobriety book.
He was telling us that emotional sobriety is our next frontier. It was published in the grapevine in january 1958, when bill was still using lsd, and ends with the following two. Go to the primary purpose group study guide page and download the individual sections of the ppg big book study guide in word, open office writer, and other word processing programs. Bill wilson identified emotional sobriety as the product of working the twelve steps. Jun 04, 2014 bill wilson spoke of a final frontier, a new major development within aa that would spearhead aa into emotional sobriety, the 4th legacy of bill wilson, we believe that more is being revealed and that interwoven step and tradition work is the bridge that he spoke of. The phrase has been used in various twelve step groups to indicate the next stage of recovery. Broadcasting 24 hours a day for the recovery community and all 12 steppers. The next frontier alcoholics anonymous 12 step program 12 steps of aa akron ohio aa new york the big book of aa 2nd edition. Perhaps they will be the spearhead for the next major development in aathe development of much more real maturity and balance which is to say, humility. Bill asks us to note that this letter should occasion no. In season five, episode one, of the sopranos, chris moltisanti is seen reading my search for bill w. I must surrenderover and overto the reality of my dependence on god, for then i find peace, gratitude, and spiritual security.
Writings in the language of the heart are arranged chronologically, and because of bills highly focused. Bill wilson paragraph 3, letter on emotional sobriety a new step 1 yet these instincts, so powerful for our. Carrying the message for over 50 years 800 2154733 call 24 hours a day 7 days a week. He will elaborate on bill s letter by discussing how it relates to other mental health concepts like emotional dependency and selfesteem. Emotional sobriety the next frontier selected stories from the aa grapevine. During this day long workshop they will unpack the psychological and spiritual wisdom of bill wilson s letter on emotional sobriety, explore the psychological and spiritual concepts that are related to emotional sobriety, and provide you with some tips and suggestions as to how to achieve emotional sobriety in recovery. It can be found in the twelve steps and twelve traditions book once we reach and begin passing on our 12 step it begins to take on new meaning as well.
As wilson drafted what became the book, alcoholics anonymous, he. This is a list of the books and documents that we will be using during our workshop. Emotional sobriety by bill wilson i think that many oldsters who have put our aa booze cure to severe but successful tests still find they often lack emotional sobriety. The steps of aa that show us the way through addiction and into an ideal way of life, the enneagram to illuminate and define the way, and emotional sobriety to guide us through the tour.
Sharing 39 years of experience with the big book in a big book oriented retreat weekend the wilson house east dorset vt february 8 10, 2002. In this letter bill suggests that emotional sobriety should be the next frontier that aa should pursue. It takes continued wakefulness and commitment to ongoing spiritual and mental health. Click here to find out more about the full version for windows which includes this and a whole lot more. In 1956 bill wilson wrote a letter to a depressed friend offering him assistance in understanding depression. Here are the creative, heartfelt insights of several dozen sober seekers whose artic. Twelve defining moments in the history of alcoholics. The next paragraph is the particular excerpt from bill wilsons writing that he referenced, followed by his question, followed by my response. For the record, bill s essay on emotional sobriety was written long before dr.
Bill wilson thought he may have found in lsd something that could make a big difference in the lives of alcoholics. Emotional sobriety unpacking bills letter ncadd lecture. Emotional sobriety is not automatically rendered with physical sobriety. You can also find a reprint in the book, language of the heart, pg 236. Emotional sobriety i recommended bill wilson s writing on emotional sobriety to someone who i have never met in person, but who sent me inquiries via email. The band dream theater dedicated each song of their twelvestep suite to bill w. He bases his work on bill wilson s concepts, outlined in his 1958 aa grapevine article titled the next frontier. Wilson writing awards and folio award, canadian author association member,author of caesarean section and love between the sacred and profane poetry books, and psychiatry and addiction, personal perspective book, magazine short story and prose columnist. Perhaps they will be the spearhead for the next major development in aa the development of much more real maturity and balance which is to say. Only through his own painful, closely observed experience could bill w.
Misconceptions about alcoholics anonymous aa abound in spite of or because of the thousands of theses, dissertations, books, professional and popular articles, and internet commentaries that have been written about aa. Emotional sobriety is not something we either have or dont have. Perhaps they will be the spearhead for the next major development in aa. The letter appeared in the grapevine january, 1953. Bill wilson s letter in this part of the introduction, berger highlights a letter to the aa grapevine in 1958 by bill wilson yes, our bill wilson one of the founding members of aa.
Bill wilson saw the twelve steps finally leading to emotional sobriety. The goal is to become spiritually awakened, to have found some degree of detachment from our own emotions. Bill wilson exercise 1st 8 pages 18vs 2nd 8 pages816. Following aas twelfth tradition of anonymity, wilson is commonly known as bill w. Bill wigmore in the 11th step, we are directed to improve our conscious contact with god through the practice of prayer and meditation. Many thousands have benefited from the big book and its simple but profound explanation of the doctrines behind alcoholics anonymous, which was founded in 1935 by bill wilson and dr. We feel that elimination of our drinking is but a beginning big book of aa. It was a letter that he had written to another old timer, mind you, an old timer, and it appeared in the grapevine and it was entitled the next frontier. Twelve defining moments in the history of alcoholics anonymous. Emotional sobriety the next frontier selected stories from the aa grapevine aa grapevine on. Emotional sobriety in a working retreat format with dave f. This morning, it was the 6 7 prayer from the big book slight modification.
These ideas are similar to buddhist teachings that our happiness and serenity depends on how we respond to desires, cravings, or circumstances in life. Emotional sobriety the next frontier selected stories from. I think that many oldsters who have put our aa booze cure to severe but successful tests still find they often lack emotional sobriety. As i mentioned in my previous blog i believe bill wilson left four legacies, not three. This is the substance of a revealing letter which bill wilson wrote several years ago to a close friend who also had troubles with depression. The van alstyne group is not affiliated with the the linked website or its authors. A legacy that has not been fully recognized for its value and role in recovery. Bill originally wrote about emotional sobriety in a letter he sent to a depressed friend in 1956. Emotional sobriety i recommended bill wilsons writing on emotional sobriety to someone who i have never met in person, but who sent me inquiries via email. Our emotions are not bad unless we are attached to them. Emotional sobriety the next frontier selected stories. When we begin to live life on lifes terms with right thinking and equanimity, we act with emotional sobriety. But if were correct that the spiritual malady is the real problem, and drinking, drugs, selfpity, self centered fear, demands for. Jun 02, 2012 the next step emotional sobriety in a working retreat format with dave f.
In fact, this was the first piece of literature that mentioned the concept of emotional sobriety. Initially, we will be reading from the next frontier emotional sobriety by bill w. Tolerance and celebration of multiple pathways of recovery in the. Bill asks us to note that this letter should occasion no concern as both bill and his friend are today in the cleared. And bill talked about the issue of over dependence on other people. For nearly 20 years, im sad to report that the real meaning of conscious contact had always eluded me. Emotional sobriety by bill wilson i think that many oldsters who have put our aa to severe but successful tests still find they often lack emotional sobriety. Emotional sobriety center for action and contemplation. The below is the substance of a revealing letter which bill wilson wrote several years ago to a close friend who also had troubles with depression. He first mentioned emotional sobriety in the twelve and twelve when discussing the effect of working the steps. He was 16 years sober at the time, and just about to turn 55.
Allen berger is a talented psychotherapist, lecturer, and popular recovery author who has written extensively about the experience of recovery, the important topic of emotional sobriety, integrating modern psychotherapy and the 12 steps, and the psychological forces operating in the twelve steps. Despite escaping his addiction and helping to establish aa, bill wilson suffered from bouts of depression. Berger will discuss bill wilson s letter to help a depressed friend that was written in 1956. In his discussion of step twelve in twelve steps and twelve traditions he wrote, here we begin to practice all twelve steps of the program in our daily lives so we and those about us may find emotional sobriety 106. Perhaps they will be the spearhead for the next major development in aa the development of much more real maturity and balance. Here is the link to view or download a free copy of the books alcoholics anonymous big book, alcoholics anonymous twelve steps and twelve traditions. The last page of the last story in the book alcoholics anonymous, 4th. It can be found in the twelve steps and twelve traditions book once we reach and begin passing on our 12 step it begins to. Emotional sobriety is a phrase coined by bill wilson founder of alcoholic anonymous in an essay, the next frontier.
Emotional sobriety and millions of other books are available for instant access. From relationship trauma to resilience and balance 1st edition. Heres a summary of what bill understood about emotional sobriety. The montyman asks the question, why has it taken so long for our twelve step fellowships to u. Emotional sobriety i kindle edition by aa grapevine. The next frontier emotional sobriety by bill below you will find the substance of a revealing letter which bill wrote several years ago to a close friend who also had troublesome depressions. About emotional sobriety when an alcoholic stops drinking, it s cause for rejoicing. When i am trapped in thoughts about what i want and what should be coming to me, i am in a state of fear or anxious anticipation and this is not conducive to emotional sobriety. Emotions produce euphoric and intoxicating effects. Emotional sobriety bringing the twelve steps and the. Emotional sobriety ada center for professional success. Box 459 octobernovember 1988 the language of the heart. Others embrace the present with gratitude to claim moments of real peace a quiet place in bright sunshine, as bill w.
This may be the best and most complete retelling of his story, and the most personal about his relationship wit. Emotional sobriety has many more aspects and, as we live the life aa has given us, more will be revealed. Aa is an international mutual aid fellowship with about 2 million members worldwide belonging to approximately 10,000 groups, associations, organizations, cooperatives, and fellowships of alcoholics helping other alcoholics achieve and maintain sobriety. Apart from the web site, there is no technical support for this. They can produce a sense of ease and comfort and contentment. Beginning the 11th step practice of quiet time by fr. I was just looking at the next frontier emotional sobriety.
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