He Told the Psychiatrists He’d Be Surprised If the Alcoholic Told the Truth – Father J.

About This Speaker Tape

A single uncompromising pillar—honesty—is the core of Father J.'s architecture of recovery. He dismantles the alcoholic's identity as a pathological liar—someone who lies to the world to themselves and even to their Higher Power to avoid pain. Using a series of biblical archetypes and historical figures he argues that grace only takes hold when it meets honesty head-on.

He moves from the wreckage of 'stinking thinking' and the false fronts of courting and business to the quiet dignity of growing old honestly. For Father J. serenity isn't the absence of problems but the acceptance of them and the only way to avoid the 'graduate' trap is to remain honest about one's need for the program.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:45 Father J. defines the core of the program as honesty and shares a specific prayer for the grace to see oneself clearly.
• 2:15 Laughter: Discussion on the progression from white lies to 'black lies' and the identity of the alcoholic as a pathological liar.
• 4:30 Father J. explains the Latin root of honesty as 'oneness'—the alignment of conviction and acceptance.
• 7:10 The story of Saul/Saint Paul and the moment grace and honesty meet head-on.
• 11:20 A funny anecdote about a women's retreat where Father J. accidentally implied he had personal experience with prostitutes.
• 15:40 Contrast between the honesty of the thief on the cross and the dishonesty of Judas.
• 18:10 Mention of the early AA approach: get honest, clean house, and help others.
• 21:00 Application of honesty to home life, marriage, and the 'nature of the beast' in relationships.
• 25:30 Discussion on 'shooting angles' and the mental hygiene of seeking truth over conniving.
• 28:15 The relationship between honesty, humility, and sanctity.
• 31:00 Warning against 'stinking thinking' and the danger of 'graduating' from the program.
• 33:45 Final thoughts on the 12 Steps and Traditions and the necessity of accepting one's own honest convictions.