A Footnote on Experience vs Awakening
From Father Bill W. by Father Bill W.
May 26, 2026 · 10 min · Season 55 · Episode 2
About this episode
Fr. Bill reflects on the significance of the terms 'spiritual experience' and 'spiritual awakening' in the context of Alcoholics Anonymous.
In this short episode, Fr. Bill reflects on a brief recording of Bill Wilson’s unsuccessful attempts to return to the original 12 Step wording of “spiritual experience” over “spiritual awakening.” He also comments on Fr. Dowling’s words to the 20th Anniversary Gathering of AA in St. Louis where he said, “Istill weep that the elders of the movement have dropped the word ‘experience’ for ‘awakening.’” No need to weep, but it’s good information to know. Show notes: Father Ed by Dawn Eden Goldstein Bill Wilson's recorded commentary on "Experience"
People in this episode
Host: Fr. Bill
Topics covered
- spiritual experience
- spiritual awakening
- 12 Step program
- Bill Wilson
- Fr. Dowling
- Alcoholics Anonymous
Keywords
- spiritual experience
- spiritual awakening
- Bill Wilson
- Fr. Dowling
- 12 Step
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- AA
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: AA
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