Distilled Spirits: An Interview with Matt D. ep2
Show notes
Bill Wilson credits his 1934 “white light experience” in Towns Hospital as the start of his psychic change and spiritual transformation. Bill experienced nothing short of a taste of the divine. It also began Bill’s search for ways other alcoholics might experience similar altered states of consciousness – states powerful enough to jump-start their recovery journey.
In the mid 1950s Wilson experimented with LSD and began a life-long friendship with two of its major proponents: Aldous Huxley and Gerald Heard. In the first episode of this series, I interviewed Don Lattin, author of Distilled Spirits. His book traces the relationship of these three men over the years.
In this second episode, I interview Matt D. from the 12-Step Fellowship All Addicts Anonymous (AAA). Matt’s knowledge of Bill Wilson’s LSD interest and involvement comes from his personal experience with AAA’s co-founders and draws from the group’s extensive archives.
Recently, there’s been renewed interest among researchers in the use of psychedelic drugs in the treatment of depression as well as addiction. Our discussion expands on Wilson’s LSD history and includes warnings for those who might seek a shortcut to spiritual transformation.
Show notes:
· Link to All Addicts Anonymous https://alladdictsanonymous.org/
· Pharmacolatry: (Drug Worship) The Religion of the Present Age
· Article, The Search for Ecstacy by Gerald Heard printed in the aa Grapevine