What's a Spiritual Experience?

What's a Spiritual Experience?

From Father Bill W. by Father Bill W.

February 2, 2026 · 39 min · Season 50 · Episode 1

About this episode

This episode explores the concept of spiritual experiences in the context of the 12 Steps and addiction recovery.

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: What Is a Psychic Change or Spiritual Experience Quantum Change by Professor William Miller Transformation by Robert A. Johnson Jung’s Answer to Job https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Answer_to_Job

People in this episode

Host: Bill Wilson

Topics covered

  • spiritual experience
  • 12 Steps
  • addiction
  • psychic change

Keywords

  • spiritual awakening
  • William James
  • Big Book
  • Robert A. Johnson

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Varieties of Religious Experience, Transformation

Books & works: Steps, Varieties of Religious Experience, the Big Book, Transformation

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