by Dan M.
In January of 1961, Bill W. wrote a long-overdue letter of gratitude to Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Jung, world-renowned as the founder of Analytic Psychology. Among other accomplishments, Jung developed the concepts of the collective unconscious and archetypes, and devoted much of his later life to examining the relationship between psychology and religion. But often overlooked is the role he played in the series of events that eventually led to Bill’s sobriety and the formation of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Jung’s influence on AA had started decades before, in 1931, with patient Rowland H., an investment banker and former Rhode Island State Senator. Although a successful and respected man, Rowland could not stop drinking. In 1931, he traveled to Switzerland to seek the help of Dr. Jung, where he underwent analysis with Jung for about a year. Yet at the end of the treatment, he went back to drinking. He returned to Dr. Jung, asking him why. This is the story recounted on page 26 of the Big Book.
Jung told him that his alcoholism was beyond the help of medical science, that his case was hopeless. The only way he might conquer his disease was if he underwent a spiritual transformation, but that these were rare. Rowland returned to the States and dedicated himself to the Oxford Group and its spiritual principles. In August of 1934, when he had been sober for some time, he accepted Ebby T. into his custody from the courts.
Ebby also got sober, and in December of 1934, went to visit his old friend, Bill W. As Bill tells it, he had already received knowledge of the disease from Dr. William Silkworth, but it was from Ebby that Bill came to understand the vital spiritual component.
It was this legacy that Bill W. wanted to be sure Dr. Jung understood. Bill wrote, “As you will now clearly see, this astonishing chain of events actually started long ago in your consulting room and it was directly founded upon your own humility and deep perception.” He closed the letter, “Please be certain that your place in the affection and in the history of our Fellowship is like no other.”
Although received only months before Jung’s death, he warmly answered Bill’s letter. Jung had been unaware of Rowland’s recovery and was gratified to hear that he had found his spiritual path in the company of others. He confided to Bill that he had been very careful in the language he used with Rowland, because, as he wrote, “…those days I had to be exceedingly careful of what I said. I had found out that I was misunderstood in every possible way.” He continued to share his belief that, “The only right and legitimate way to such an experience is, that it happens to you in reality and it can only happen to you when you walk on a path which leads you to a higher understanding.”
For his role in Bill W. achieving sobriety (via two other alcoholics passing it on), Carl Jung will always be one of the essential non-alcoholic contributors to the founding of our program.
Note: Bill’s letter and Dr Jung’s response can be found in Language of the Heart, beginning on page 276.
Dan M.’s home group is Fremont Men’s Stag, which meets on Monday nights at 7 at Irvington Presbyterian Church and online: 187 927 449 pc: 774746
