When
found himself hanging off his apartment lanai at the end of his rope—successful on paper but spiritually bankrupt—he couldn't have imagined that a windblown motorcycle tarp would become his gateway to divine presence.Eric, an ecological anthropologist turned UX researcher, discovered that his high-functioning alcoholism wasn't just numbing pain—it was severing his connection to what he calls "sacred systems thinking."
Through three and a half years of sobriety, he's learned to bridge complex systems theory with spiritual ecology, finding profound wisdom in the intersection of 12-step recovery, animist mindfulness, and the daily work of inner return.
His story reveals how removing alcohol doesn't just clear the mind—it opens doorways to experiencing the unchanging presence beneath life's chaos.
Show Notes
[00:00] The Academic's Descent: High-Functioning Alcoholism in the Ivory Tower
Eric maintained two homes, a marriage, and academic career while drinking from morning to night
The warning sign: Waking up needing alcohol "to check in and see where I'm at"
Despite external success, he felt like he was "trying to squeeze my entire life into a bottle"
His moment of surrender came when he found himself "hanging off my lanai...didn't want to die, but didn't know how to live"
[03:27] The Motorcycle Revelation: Divine Presence in Parking Garages
During early sobriety turbulence, Eric stopped in a parking garage and prayed: "I don't know how to do this"
Witnessed a motorcycle covered by a violently whipping tarp in strong wind
The insight: The motorcycle remained completely unaffected by the chaos around it
This became his metaphor for the "unchanging presence" available even during emotional storms
[06:14] Discovering the Observer Mind: Beyond the Mental Noise
Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now" revealed that his thoughts weren't the entirety of his being
Learned to recognize the "different qualities of mind" and step back from mental chatter
Through 12-step inventories, identified that fear drove most of his mental patterns: self-esteem, financial security, belonging
[18:13] Creativity Transformed: From Academic Pressure to Authentic Expression
Pre-sobriety writing was driven by "publish or perish" academic pressure
Alcohol enabled functioning while suppressing his authentic creative voice
Sobriety revelation: "I was not in my heart at all...it was just this uncomfortable way of moving through the world"
Now mines old blog posts from Japan, recognizing where he was most aligned
[24:32] Family Reconnection: Meditation as Sacred Practice
Started a 30-day meditation challenge with parents and sister during recovery
Ongoing practice: Weekly Friday FaceTime meditation sessions with family
Parents in their 80s now share vulnerabilities he never would have witnessed before
Learning to be present for his aging dog's accidents and eventual death
[28:03] Leadership Through Vulnerability: The Power of Honest Bewilderment
Leadership means being "honest about the frailty of my own humanness"
Shares experiences "from my heart as much as possible" without pretension
Core belief: When we give each other permission to be human, we access courage, creativity, and beauty
[30:44] Sacred Resistance to Capitalism: Inner Work as Social Change
Views capitalism's harm through the lens of "spiritual sickness"
Solution isn't political: "As we do inner work, as we change, the world around us changes"
Focuses on mindful consumption versus "trying to soothe ourselves" through unconscious patterns
Key Quotes
"I found myself like hanging off my lanai in my apartment sort of at the end of my rope. I didn't want to die, but I didn't know how to live. Like it just was collapsing in. Like it felt like my whole being was collapsing in on itself." - Eric Cunningham
"The motorcycle didn't need to calm the wind to maintain its integrity. It didn't need the cover to stop moving to remain what it was. And I didn't need my emotions to settle, my marriage to stabilize, or my life to make perfect sense in order to access the divine constancy that was always there." - Eric Cunningham
"I was not in my heart at all. And so it was just this uncomfortable way of moving to the world. And it required me being separated from alcohol to be able to get any read on any of that." - Eric Cunningham
"If I can be honest about sort of the frailty of my own humanness and how I have come to find some power amidst that frailty...my hope is that others can take that journey as well." - Eric Cunningham
Resources Mentioned
Eckhart Tolle - "The Power of Now"
Michael Singer - "The Untethered Soul" and podcast
Thich Nhat Hanh - "The Art of Power"
12-Step Recovery Programs
Spirit/Matter Substack - Eric's writing on sacred systems thinking
Where to Find Eric
Substack:
(CunninghamEJ)Instagram: @spirit2matter
LinkedIn: CunninghamEJ
Eric is particularly interested in connecting with academics considering career transitions and anyone exploring the intersection of systems thinking and spiritual practice.
Your Creative Breakthrough is Waiting
Eric's journey from academic pressure to authentic expression mirrors what happens when we remove alcohol as the barrier to our greatest work. His discovery that sobriety opened doorways to deeper creativity, genuine family connection, and spiritual practice isn't unique—it's the natural result of choosing clarity over coping.
The Sober Creative Method™ is a 90-day journey designed for professionals ready to unlock their creative potential by removing alcohol from the equation. Through personalized coaching, evidence-based strategies, and a supportive community, you'll discover what becomes possible when you're fully present for your own creative process.
If Eric's story resonates—if you're sensing that something's holding you back from your most authentic work—let's explore what's possible. Your breakthrough might be one conversation away.
Thank You
A heartfelt thank you to
, and everyone who joined us live for this conversation with , and to his sister Kari who was meditating with us in spirit. Your presence and engagement—along with Pua the corgi's scene-stealing appearance—make these conversations possible.What's Next
The Sober Creative is more than a newsletter—it's a movement of professionals reclaiming their creativity by choosing clarity over coping.
✍️ Read the Essays: Stories and strategies for building a clear, creative, and intentional life
🎙️ Join Clear Conversations: Honest talks with creative professionals navigating the intersection of sobriety, self-discovery, and breakthrough work
💬 Curious about your next step? If you're sensing that something's holding you back, but you're not sure what—reach out. Coaching, community, or clarity—it all starts with a conversation.
✨ The Sober Creative Method™ is a 90-day journey to remove alcohol as the barrier to your greatest work.
Each step forward is an act of becoming who you're meant to be.
Thanks for walking this path with me.
Josh
