Radio Show Archive – November 2015

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November 30, 2015 hosted by Dr. Michael Ryce, Jeanie Ryce, and Dr. Tim Hayes, the discussion launched a special week-long series exploring the intersection between first-century Aramaic forgiveness and 12-step recovery traditions. This episode featured guest Gail, who shared her personal journey of addiction and healing, as well as the historical origins of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and its deep spiritual roots. Gail began by recounting her discovery of Dr. Ryce’s work, initially through Dale Allen Hoffman, and how the book Why Is This Happening to Me Again? and its associated worksheets became pivotal tools in her recovery beyond the 12 steps. She emphasized that her addiction journey began early in life and was complicated by unresolved trauma, ADHD, PTSD, and depression, for which alcohol became a self-medicating anesthetic.

Gail outlined the development of the 12-step program, beginning with the Oxford Group, a spiritual movement rooted in early Christian principles like surrender, inventory, confession, restitution, prayer, and service. These tenets laid the groundwork for AA’s eventual 12 steps. The Oxford Group’s influence came via key historical figures like Roland Hazard, who sought treatment from Carl Jung. Jung emphasized the necessity of a spiritual experience for overcoming alcoholism. Hazard, in turn, helped Ebby Thatcher, who brought the spiritual message to Bill Wilson, co-founder of AA. Gail highlighted that despite the group’s spiritual bent, the Greek-influenced approach of the Oxford Group lacked the practical depth found in the Aramaic forgiveness work taught by Dr. Ryce.

Dr. Ryce contributed by clarifying the distinction between traditional “forgiveness” and the Aramaic concept, where forgiveness is the process of removing internal roots of pain and trauma—not pardoning others or oneself. He stressed that genuine forgiveness involves accessing and dismantling the internal energies of fear, anger, guilt, and trauma, often anesthetized by addiction. Dave Gilbert, another guest and long-time 12-step practitioner who works with Dr. Tim Hayes in Chicago, shared his profound personal healing through the integration of 12-step insights with the Aramaic forgiveness tools. He recounted years of denial and emotional suppression until engaging deeply with the wake-up sheet process, doing five worksheets a day for forty days—a practice he credits with saving his life and sanity.

The show emphasized how many people experience intensified emotional stress around the holidays, often relapsing due to unresolved emotional and family triggers. Dr. Ryce offered a practical definition of addiction: the compulsive use of any person, substance, or activity to avoid pain or higher guidance. He encouraged listeners to utilize the Aramaic forgiveness worksheets, especially during the holiday season, as a way to heal family dynamics and reduce the compulsions tied to unresolved hostility or trauma.

The episode closed with a call to continue this dialogue throughout the week and to create a supportive space for anyone navigating addiction or emotional turmoil. Gail expressed deep gratitude for the tools provided by the Aramaic work, and Dr. Tim Hayes acknowledged the enrichment of the conversation through Gail and Dave’s experiential insights. Jeanie Ryce reminded listeners that practical tools like the Wake-Up Sheet, available at whyagain.org, can help anyone live more peacefully—even through difficult family gatherings.

YouTube https://youtu.be/V9elGdCCp5g or on our Podetize player at https://whyagain.org/mindshifters-radio-show-player-for-archives/

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