Father Tom W. SJ has been involved with people in Twelve Step Programs since 1976. A former Director of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and a teacher, he has degrees in counseling, education and theology. He lectures, counsels, and conducts workshops and seminars internationally.

Observations About Our Journey

Fr. Tom W.

Fr. Tom brings us stories, and insights, sprinkled with humor about our spiritual journey in recovery. New to many, and a refresher course for old timers, Tom explores how we recover what we once thought was lost. He asks how well do we pay attention to the gifts we have been given? Do we take for granted the riches we have found in recovery? How can we open our hearts to the fullness of life? He explores the “...satisfactions of right living…” from the “12 & 12”. He talks about recognizing feelings, and reminds us that being uncomfortable is not necessarily bad. Tom shares practical techniques for prayer and meditation using our own daily reader as another way to improve our conscious contact with God. (01/11)

You Start With Hello

Fr. Tom W.

When we get here, we are completely out of our comfort zone. And we say hello and an entire new way of life opens up to us. Fr. Tom shares many stories about our new relationships with friends, companions, allies, and sponsors. He talks about the things we can change, and those we cannot. He talks about guilt and shame, self loathing and self acceptance. He discusses defects of character and the daily reprieve we receive through the steps. He talks about the “Rules of the World” and how we need to break them when we come in to recovery.

In recovery we learn skills on how to develop loving relationships. We learn how to identify safe people, and we learn how to be a safe person. We make the connections with others through the things we share. Go to meetings and say hello to people and develop wonderful friendships. Say hello to a Higher Power and receive grace. We learn these new behaviors and go from existing to living. (09/10)

The Principles Of The Program

Fr. Tom W.

“….and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” Understanding the principles of the 12 Steps can be very difficult, abstract or very simple. Father Tom talks about incorporating these principles into our daily lives. He makes abstract ideas very simple and practical. Honesty, Hope, Faith, Courage, Integrity, Willingness, Humility, Love, Justice, Perseverance, Spirituality and Service. These twelve principles are the spiritual basis behind each of the Twelve Steps. Fr. Tom shows how employing these behaviors in our daily lives can be an enriching experience.

Living in the World of Recovery

Fr. Tom W.

In these warm and delightful talks, Fr. Tom Weston shares with us that ours is not a self help program. If it were, we would have fixed ourselves long ago. Instead, living in the world of recovery, we learn to ask for help in the Program. And Fr. Tom shares with us that it is a great spiritual accomplishment to ask for help when we need it. And when something spiritual happens, change occurs for us. Fr. Tom talks with us about learning how to trust again. And about the many aspects of willingness in living in the world of recovery. And he shows us how to keep sane when those around us are going crazy. And Fr. Tom gives a wonderful guided meditation using The AA Promises. (09/09)

One Day at a Time - but are the days too long?

Fr. Tom W.

These new talks focus on the transformative power of the 12 steps. Fr. Tom emphasizes practical, day to day applications of the spiritual principles of the Twelve Steps. Simple formulas are explored for “turning it over”, “let go and let God” plus spiritual activities for prayer and meditation. We are often told recovery is a “program of action”, but where do we start or in some cases restart? These new talks are Tom Weston at his best. A humorous and enriching experience. (06/08)

Are We Willing To Be Willing?

Fr. Tom W.

In these series of talks Fr.Tom shares how to live through difficult times using the tools of the program. Do we sometimes feel disconnected from our Higher Power? How to make that conscious contact with your Higher Power easier with the “switch”. He talks of connecting with people rather than “using” people….sharing our experience, strength and hope. Are we willing to let change happen? Are we willing to be willing? What can we expect if we willingly surrender ourselves to the spiritual discipline of the 12 Steps? These and many other questions about recovery are explored in this series of talks. 01/08

Let Go of the Old and Welcome the New.

Fr. Tom W.

In recovery we learn many new tools, such as letting go of what no longer works and embracing a new way of life. Tom shares how God is present in our daily lives and how we can now recognize God acting in our lives and the lives of others. When we have a relationship with a Higher Power we are more alive, human, peaceful and useful. We make a connection with God through other people. Tom talks about spiritual experiences. He talks about God's will for us, which is simpler than we sometimes think. Fr. Tom explains that prayer and meditation can be a confusing or simple process and offers suggestions to make that connection with God easier. (01/07)

Fr. Tom Weston

Just what is a spiritual awakening? If someone has been touched by the Spirit what changes can be expected? How do we progress from Step One to Step Two? Fr. Tom talks about God as you understand God and the many different points of view and experiences. He talks about the original Six Steps initially used in Akron, Ohio which later became the Twelve Steps. Fr. Tom explores Steps Six and Seven and the underlying concept of self acceptance. Character defects might always be there. But the program gives us new tools to accept them and experience freedom. (01/06)

Fr. Tom Weston

Father Tom takes us on a journey through Steps 10, 11 and 12. Using AA's "12 and 12" as a guide, he explores Step 10. He shares his ongoing personal experiences with Step 10 and the role of character defects. The Big Book tells us with Step 10 our sanity has returned. The process of looking at our character defects and our wrongs, that we began examining with the 4th Step, continues with Step 10. Just how do we maintain the new state of serenity and freedom we have achieved? As recovering people God's will for us includes the removal of character defects. The 12th Step speaks to a "spiritual awakening"...what happens when we "wake up"? How do you spot the real stuff when it comes to spiritual experiences along the spiritual path? The results can be dramatic, but can take place over a long period of time. (12/04) (5/04)

Fr. Tom Weston

Throughout all situations God is at work. "AA is not a personal success story. It is a story of our colossal human failures now transformed into the happiest usefulness by the living grace of God." A day at a time we ask for God’s help. Fr. Tom explores questions such as what is God’s will for us. Tom explores the important self knowledge we gain from the 4^th Step. Every person has the opportunity to develop a spiritual life. Through time and experience, trial and error, we get better at the 11^th Step. Fr. Tom explores, in detail, the different method of prayer. He goes on to suggest various ways of meditation as a way of putting ourselves in God’s presence. And he explores ways we can invite our Higher Power into our meditation. (5/04)

"...Progress not perfection..." Fr. Tom explores with us the spiritual journey those of us in recovery have embarked on. Part of recovery and having a healthy spiritual practice is learning how to slow down and take time for reflection. These talks offer an opportunity to explore how we work the Steps in our lives. Fr. Tom shares with us some of his reflections on love and ways of knowing God's will for us. He explores with us how to look at our own behavior, feelings and defects of character as a way to see how God works with each one of us. Excellent for newcomers...inspirational for old-timers...Tom Weston at his best. (1/03)

In these wonderful talks recorded August 16, 2002, Father Tom Weston reminds us that we aren’t alone. With a power greater than ourselves, Step 2, and reaching out to others in the program, Step 12, we continue to get better. And we get to do things differently, with altered attitudes.

Through his many stories, insights, and a lot of humor, Fr. Tom reminds us that we don’t have to live alone with our conflicts. And we can even look forward to a daily reprieve from our craziness when we remember to ask for God’s help.

Fr. Tom talks with us about learning how to tell our stories and also learning how to listen to the stories of others. And Fr. Tom shares new stories with us. As Fr. Tom reminds us, when someone who has been there talks to someone who is there - grace flows. We really do need God’s help and each other. In recovery everything changes, if we let it. (10/02)

In recovery, we continue to grow emotionally and spiritually. Gather Tom helps us to look at our own behavior and at the ways we may be more available to our Higher power working in our lives. Are we cooperating with God? He offers many suggestions of practical footwork on recovery, from praying and meditition, self acceptance, and what to do when we are stuck, angry or discouraged with our own progress. Father Tom discusses what about our behavior may get us in to trouble and lead us to despair. And he helps us to understand what may ge going on when we are running low on faith and hope, discusses what it means to be in consolation and desolation, and suggests ways of dealing with this. Father Tom enlightens us with how introverts and extroverts communicate and shows us how this worked between Bill W. and Dr. Bob in the beginning days of AA. And Father Tom shares his personal experience in dealing with the events of September 11th. These wonderful tapes offer insight, inspiration and hope for all of us. (11/01)

Father Tom takes a fresh look at recovery for people whose lives are on the line. In this inspiring retreat held near the birthplace of Alcoholics Anonybous, Father Tom describes how Dr. Bob and Bill Wilson built the practical and spiritual tools that continue to save our lives every day. He demystifies the steps by describing how they were developed and offering a number of practical techniques to do them. How do we move from despair to hope, from lonliness and isolation to a rich, new live with service to others? Father Tom talks about depression and other things that can get in our way, and he discusses the roles of therapy and medication. There are many rich stories of the early days, but mostly these talks are about how we can work our program today and live our lives with richness, with hope, and in community with others. (6/99)

Rebuilding Our Lives One Day at a Time
Father Tom

Father Tom leads us on an inspired odyssey from the depths of our despair while drinking and using, to the heights of the spiritual awakenings available for all of us in recovery. How can the tools of the Program help us open our hearts to embrace the fullness of life? How can we learn to love and accept ourselves and others? He offers practical suggestions for doing an inventory, making amends, and becoming aware of the choices and power we have in our lives. And he shows how we can develop a spiritual practice which will nurture us, guide us and help us find serenity and peace. (1/97)

Journeys and Encounters
According to Father Tom W., recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous is a journey. We move from a world of illusion to a world of real life. These talks focus on the transformation that happens to recovering people when they let the program work. He explores the changes that happen in our hearts, in our families, in our relationships, in our lives. He relates some wonderful stories and poems from writers and singers who have made a difference to him. And he talks about the importance of having allies, companions and friends, so that we don't have to be isolated, alone and desperate any more. In these tapes Father Tom offers a gift of recovery in real life. (11/95)

Living Life Fully Using The Traditions
Father Tom electrifies the Traditions of AA by demonstrating the profound insight and vitality they can bring to all our relationships. He shows through the history of the Program and the Traditions how these principles can guide our interactions, not just with the group, but with everyone we encounter in our daily lives. His stories, poetry, scripture and Program literature are filled with wisdom, humor and inspiration. One of the best retreats we have taped. (5/94)

Creating Balance in Our Lives
As we learn to walk the path of the sober life in AA, we find that we make choices with every step. In these talks, Father Tom shares his experiences with these choices, and talks about how we can find balance between hope and despair, sanity and craziness, feeling our feelings and compulsive behavior. He shows how we can learn to identify and value our unique natures, and then to build upon them. And he shares a simple and effective formula for doing the Tenth Step every day. (6/93)

A Weekend of Sobriety for Women and Men
Father Tom W's. insightful approach to living in sobriety focuses on moving from the problem to the solution. He emphasizes the practical day-to-day applications of the spiritual principles of the Twelve Steps of AA. And he reinforces the urgency of our commitment to this way of life. (12/86)

What Program? God Who?
These questions set the tone for a wide ranging discussion of recovery at this women's retreat. The focus is on the concrete steps to recovery from alcoholism as a process of learning how to share feelings and participate in the community. "What program? God who?" might be a cry of despair from a person alone. But within a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, it's a hilarious comment on life. (10/88)

Principles of Recovery from Addiction
Father Tom applies the Twelve Steps to recovery from cocaine and other drugs. He talks about how to nurture spirituality, break the addictive cycle, and let go of old patterns. How to show up, pay attention and tell the truth, and how to know God's will. (3/87)

Is There Life After Bourbon?
This is the original, brilliant, fast-paced, funny, moving, Father Tom from the early days. He tells fascinating stories about getting sober, staying sober, and finding a rich and meaningful life by working the steps. Recorded at an AA men's retreat in 1986, his delivery and insights have continued to delight and inspire both men and women (11/86)

A Commentary on The Twelve Steps and The Twelve Traditions
Father Tom's stories and commentary bring the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous right into your life and your heart. In four talks he describes the Steps and Traditions not as rigid dogma, but as the actual, living experience of "how it works" for recovering people from the earliest days of the program to the present. There's a practical section on how to do the Fourth Step. A great introduction to the program for newcomers, and a deepening of insight and commitment for everyone else. (2/88)

The Power of Principles In All Our Affairs
Father Tom W. explores the principles underlying the miracle of recovery from addictive behaviors. He examines the tools common to all Twelve Step programs. How can we use them to make fundamental changes in the way we lead our lives? How can we be restored to our full humanity? Topics include: Honesty, Hope, Faith, Courage, Integrity, Willingness, Humility, Love, Discipline, Patience, Awareness and Service. (3/89)

Kids, Drugs and Alcohol
Join Father Tom W. as he explores this essential topic for today's teenagers. He visits a junior and senior high school for a fascinating series of separate dialogues with 7th and 8th graders; freshmen and sophomores; juniors and seniors; teachers; parents. The way he listens and responds to questions provides a model of honesty and openness in dealing with this difficult subject. (12/89)

Keeping It Simple
When we're drinking and using, our lives are incredibly complex as we protect our habits, try to keep our stories straight, and struggle to hold our world together. But our first act of recovery is profoundly simple: total surrender. Maintaining that simplicity is our real challenge if we are to grow spiritually in sobriety, according to Father Tom. He offers dozens of stories and practical techniques to help us open our hearts, rejoin the human race, and share our freedom, joy and light with the world around us. (12/92)

Getting Back to Basics
It's easy to forget the most important things. Father Tom shows how the basic tools of the AA program can help us to stay sober and insure our continued growth and happiness. He talks about going to meetings, using the telephone, and using the tool of writing. He really gets into sponsorship: how to choose one, how to use one, and how to be one. And he describes the profound nature of the slogans, including "Turn It Over," "Easy Does It," and "Live and Let Live." An inspiration for newcomers and old-timers alike. (9/91)

Welcome to InLight CDs and Tapes on Recovery!