The Art of Unbinding Each Other from Alcoholism – Lorna K.

About This Speaker Tape

A Manhattanite with a bleeding heart Lorna K. speaks in the wake of the September 11th attacks weaving the collective grief of New York into her own wreckage. She recalls the delusion of her early drinking—the 'continental' cognac in her coffee and the morning vodka-orange juice carafes—and her time as America's first female art auctioneer.

Lorna describes a mid-life spiritual collapse during her teenage years of sobriety a period of 'absolute hell' where she felt like the elder brother in the prodigal son story resentful of her own discipline. After a period of implosion and a stint working with lepers in India under Mother T. she found a second surrender.

She eventually transitioned from the 'tacky wild dreams' of money and men to the profound honor of testifying for Mother T.'s canonization at the Vatican concluding that her only true possession is her experience.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Ed introduces the speaker and reflects on the 12 and 12 in the context of September 11th.
• 3:15 Lorna K. reflects on the tragedy in Manhattan and the responsibility of mourning.
• 8:40 Laughter: The story of the newcomer with 22 days sober talking about her relationship amidst the 9/11 rubble.
• 14:10 Lorna discusses the 'healing part' of AA and the importance of storytelling.
• 18:20 The 'morning drink' moment of clarity in the shower with a glass of vodka.
• 23:45 Laughter: The 'prostitution' of dating a man just to get access to his maid.
• 28:10 Lorna describes the feeling of being 'dead' while sitting on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
• 34:50 Laughter: Her description of her 'badger' makeup and the 'Mrs. D.' braids.
• 41:10 Lorna discusses her sponsor's 'quiver of golden arrows' metaphor for living appropriately.
• 48:30 The 'elder son' struggle and the spiritual arrogance of reducing recovery to a formula.
• 54:10 Lorna's experience in India with Mother T. and her subsequent 'implosion'.
• 59:20 The honor of testifying for Mother T.'s canonization at the Vatican.