Kusnacht-Zurich Seestrasse 228
January 30, 1961
Mr. William G. Wilson
Alcoholics Anonymous
Box 459
Grand Central Station
New York 17, N.Y.
Dear Mr. Wilson, Your letter has been very welcome indeed.
I had no news from Roland H. anymore and often wondered what has been his fate. Our conversation which he had adequately reported to you had an aspect of which he did not know. The reason, that I could not tell him everything, was that those days I had to be exceedingly careful of what I said. I had found out that I was misunderstood in every possible way. Thus I was very careful when I talked to Roland H. But what I really thought about, was the result of many experiences with men of his kind.
His craving for alcohol was the equivalent on a low level of the spiritual thirst of our being for wholeness, expressed in medieval language: the union with God.
How could one formulate such an insight in a language that is not misunderstood in our days?
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. You might be led to that goal by an act of grace or through a personal and honest contact with friends, or through a higher education of the mind beyond the confines of mere rationalism. I see from your letter that Roland H. has chosen the second way, which was, under the circumstances, obviously the best one.
I am strongly convinced that the evil principle prevailing in this world, leads the unrecognized spiritual need into perdition, if it is not counteracted either by a real religious insight or by the protective wall of human community. An ordinary man, not protected by an action from above and isolated in society cannot resist the power of evil, which is called very aptly the Devil. But the use of such words arouse so many mistakes that one can only keep aloof from them as much as possible.
These are the reasons why I could not give a full and sufficient explanation to Roland H. but I am risking it with you because I conclude from your very decent and honest letter, that you have acquired a point of view above the misleading platitudes, one usually hears about alcoholism.
You see, Alcohol in Latin is “spiritus” and you use the same word for the highest religious experience as well as for the most depraving poison. The helpful formula therefore is: spiritus contra spiritum.
Thanking you again for your kind letter.
I remain yours sincerely,
C.G. Jung
Summary of C.G. Jung's Letter to Bill Wilson (January 30, 1961):
In this letter to Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, Carl Jung responds warmly to an earlier message and reflects on his past interaction with Roland H., a man whose struggle with alcoholism ultimately helped inspire the founding of AA. Jung explains that he was cautious in his original conversation with Roland due to being frequently misunderstood at the time, but he shares deeper insights with Wilson.
Jung believes Roland’s craving for alcohol represented a deeper spiritual thirst--a yearning for wholeness or union with God. He suggests that healing from such a condition requires a real spiritual experience, which can come through grace, meaningful relationships, or deep intellectual growth beyond rational thinking. He commends Roland’s recovery path through connection with others, calling it the most appropriate under the circumstances.
Jung warns of the danger of unmet spiritual needs being misdirected into destructive behavior and emphasizes the protective power of religious insight or community. He notes that terms like “Devil” are often misused but acknowledges the real force of evil in isolation and addiction.
He closes with a profound observation on language: “Alcohol” is derived from the Latin spiritus, a word that also refers to spiritual experience. Thus, he offers a guiding phrase: “spiritus contra spiritum”—spirit against spirit.
January 30, 1961
Mr. William G. Wilson
Alcoholics Anonymous
Box 459
Grand Central Station
New York 17, N.Y.
Dear Mr. Wilson, Your letter has been very welcome indeed.
I had no news from Roland H. anymore and often wondered what has been his fate. Our conversation which he had adequately reported to you had an aspect of which he did not know. The reason, that I could not tell him everything, was that those days I had to be exceedingly careful of what I said. I had found out that I was misunderstood in every possible way. Thus I was very careful when I talked to Roland H. But what I really thought about, was the result of many experiences with men of his kind.
His craving for alcohol was the equivalent on a low level of the spiritual thirst of our being for wholeness, expressed in medieval language: the union with God.
How could one formulate such an insight in a language that is not misunderstood in our days?
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. You might be led to that goal by an act of grace or through a personal and honest contact with friends, or through a higher education of the mind beyond the confines of mere rationalism. I see from your letter that Roland H. has chosen the second way, which was, under the circumstances, obviously the best one.
I am strongly convinced that the evil principle prevailing in this world, leads the unrecognized spiritual need into perdition, if it is not counteracted either by a real religious insight or by the protective wall of human community. An ordinary man, not protected by an action from above and isolated in society cannot resist the power of evil, which is called very aptly the Devil. But the use of such words arouse so many mistakes that one can only keep aloof from them as much as possible.
These are the reasons why I could not give a full and sufficient explanation to Roland H. but I am risking it with you because I conclude from your very decent and honest letter, that you have acquired a point of view above the misleading platitudes, one usually hears about alcoholism.
You see, Alcohol in Latin is “spiritus” and you use the same word for the highest religious experience as well as for the most depraving poison. The helpful formula therefore is: spiritus contra spiritum.
Thanking you again for your kind letter.
I remain yours sincerely,
C.G. Jung
Summary of C.G. Jung's Letter to Bill Wilson (January 30, 1961):
In this letter to Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, Carl Jung responds warmly to an earlier message and reflects on his past interaction with Roland H., a man whose struggle with alcoholism ultimately helped inspire the founding of AA. Jung explains that he was cautious in his original conversation with Roland due to being frequently misunderstood at the time, but he shares deeper insights with Wilson.
Jung believes Roland’s craving for alcohol represented a deeper spiritual thirst--a yearning for wholeness or union with God. He suggests that healing from such a condition requires a real spiritual experience, which can come through grace, meaningful relationships, or deep intellectual growth beyond rational thinking. He commends Roland’s recovery path through connection with others, calling it the most appropriate under the circumstances.
Jung warns of the danger of unmet spiritual needs being misdirected into destructive behavior and emphasizes the protective power of religious insight or community. He notes that terms like “Devil” are often misused but acknowledges the real force of evil in isolation and addiction.
He closes with a profound observation on language: “Alcohol” is derived from the Latin spiritus, a word that also refers to spiritual experience. Thus, he offers a guiding phrase: “spiritus contra spiritum”—spirit against spirit.