Turning to the Mystics with James Finley

Discover the insights of 12th-century monk Guigo II, who emphasized the transformative power of Lectio Divina and prayer. Delve into contemplative practices that foster a deeper connection with the divine, contrasting cloistered life with active ministry. Explore the unique monastic journey within the Cistercian order, emphasizing spiritual guidance. Experience the beauty of silence and art in spiritual growth during retreats. Reflect on themes of self-discovery and individuality, highlighting practical applications of meditation for personal and spiritual development.

On this bonus episode of Turning to the Mystics, Jim and Kirsten are joined by long-time friend Mirabai Starr to reflect on listener questions about how John of the Cross’ dark night of the soul differs from depression—and how both experiences evolve our understanding of suffering.If you found this episode helpful, consider attending the final Conspire this September. In this interactive online event, catch both Mirabai and Jim as they expand on the spiritual experiences of grief and healing. To learn more, visit: cac.org/conspire-2021.Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about Jim, visit jamesfinley.org  The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book being used for this season can be found here. Mirabai Starr's Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Connect with us: We also produce other podcasts you might enjoy. To learn more about them and our other offerings, visit cac.org This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!

In this episode, Jim and Kirsten answer questions that were submitted by the listeners during the airing of the 3rd season.Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about Jim, visit jamesfinley.org  The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book being used for this season can be found here. Connect with us: We also produce other podcasts you might enjoy. To learn more about them and our other offerings, visit cac.org This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!

This is the sixth dialogue that focuses on the mystic, St. John of the Cross. In this episode, Jim and Kirsten discuss Session 7, which covered The Spiritual Canticle.Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about Jim, visit jamesfinley.org  The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book being used for this season can be found here. Connect with us: We also produce other podcasts you might enjoy. To learn more about them and our other offerings, visit cac.org This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!

This is the seventh session that focuses on the mystic, St. John of the Cross. With this episode, Jim turns to St. John of the Cross's work on The Spiritual Canticle and The Living Flame of Love, moving us from The Dark Night to the mystical union with God that blossoms in this "night" as it comes to fruition.Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about Jim, visit jamesfinley.org  The transcript of this podcast can be found here. The book being used for this season can be found here. (Currently, there are issues with hyperlinks on Apple Podcasts since their recent update. If links aren't working, please visit our website at cac.org for the transcript. Thanks!)Connect with us: We also produce other podcasts you might enjoy. To learn more about them and our other offerings, visit cac.org This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!

This is the fifth dialogue that focuses on the mystic, St. John of the Cross. In this episode, Jim and Kirsten discuss Session 6, which covered Thomas Merton's The Inner Experience as a means of introducing us to the mystical awakening that emerges out of the dark night, and the oneness or union that comes with infused contemplation.Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about Jim, visit jamesfinley.org  The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book being used for this season can be found here. (Currently, there are issues with hyperlinks on Apple Podcasts since their recent update. If links aren't working, please visit our website at cac.org for the transcript. Thanks!)Connect with us: We also produce other podcasts you might enjoy. To learn more about them and our other offerings, visit cac.org This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!

This is the sixth session that focuses on the mystic, St. John of the Cross. With this episode, Jim turns back to Thomas Merton's book, The Inner Experience, to summarize his own understanding of The Dark Night and begins to move us towards St. John of the Cross's work on The Spiritual Canticle and The Living Flame of Love. Through these works, he will introduce us to the mystical awakening that emerges out of the dark night, and the oneness or union that comes with infused contemplation.Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about Jim, visit jamesfinley.org  The transcript of this podcast can be found here. The book being used for this season can be found here. (Currently, there are issues with hyperlinks on Apple Podcasts since their recent update. If links aren't working, please visit our website at cac.org for the transcript. Thanks!)Connect with us: We also produce other podcasts you might enjoy. To learn more about them and our other offerings, visit cac.org This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!

In this bonus episode, Jim concludes the section on The Dark Night by reflecting on it using two key passages from the text.Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about Jim, visit jamesfinley.org  The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book being used for this season can be found here. (Currently, there are issues with hyperlinks on Apple Podcasts since their recent update. If links aren't working, please visit our website at cac.org for the transcript. Thanks!)Connect with us: We also produce other podcasts you might enjoy. To learn more about them and our other offerings, visit cac.org This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!

This is the fourth dialogue that focuses on the mystic, St. John of the Cross. In this episode, Jim and Kirsten discuss Session 5, which covered The Dark Night. Next week, we'll release a bonus talk on the Dark Night with Jim looking at it through two passages.Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about Jim, visit jamesfinley.org  The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book being used for this season can be found here. Connect with us: We also produce other podcasts you might enjoy. To learn more about them and our other offerings, visit cac.org This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!

This is the fifth session that focuses on the mystic, St. John of the Cross. With this episode, Jim turns to his work on The Dark Night. In this episode, Jim explores the question, "How does a person in today’s world try to understand the ‘dark night’?" Using committed love relationships as the metaphor; Jim explores The Dark Night through the luminosity of falling in love. He then explains how ‘dark nights’ shift as the love deepens, challenges are faced, or love takes a new shape as the beloved dies. Next week we follow up with a dialogue, as well as a follow-up session in our usual format with specific passages from The Dark Night.Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about Jim, visit jamesfinley.org  The transcript of this podcast can be found here. The book being used for this season can be found here. Connect with us: We also produce other podcasts you might enjoy. To learn more about them and our other offerings, visit cac.org This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!