Turning to the Mystics with James Finley Turning to Brother Lawrence
Sep 8, 2025
The discussion centers on the life of Brother Lawrence and his transformative spiritual journey. Highlights include how he found profound awakening through everyday tasks like cooking. The hosts emphasize the power of simply being present, contrasting it with more complex mystical teachings. They explore the impact of humility in service and the quiet mysticism found in ordinary experiences. Additionally, the themes of spiritual friendship and legacy are examined, encouraging listeners to embrace simplicity in their own spiritual paths.
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Awakening In The Ordinary
- A youthful contemplative moment (looking at a tree) opened Brother Lawrence to God's presence in ordinary things.
- James Finley says such quiet luminous awakenings often persist subtly rather than as ecstatic rapture.
War, Wound, And Lifelong Impact
- Brother Lawrence joined the military at 19, suffered a serious leg wound, and later carried trauma from battle.
- Finley notes the wound stayed with him for the rest of his life and shaped his path.
Hermitry That Didn't Last
- After a short hermit life, Brother Lawrence left because he was flooded with wartime images and couldn't remain solitary.
- Finley frames this failure as a providential turn that redirected his vocation into service in the world.
