Turning to the Mystics with James Finley

Dive into the intriguing world of Thomas Merton's teachings, where prayer opens pathways to divine connection. Reflect on the transformative power of journaling and the delicate balance between certainty and uncertainty in spiritual growth. Explore self-discovery and acceptance amidst life's complexities, highlighting the significance of identity in our journey towards divine love. Finally, embrace the lessons of trust and surrender, drawing inspiration from profound moments of transformation.

In a deep and reflective conversation, the speakers tackle the challenges of the pandemic through the lens of Christian mysticism. They guide listeners in visualization exercises, transforming fear into love and fostering connection with the divine. The resilience of faith is highlighted amidst personal suffering and grief. They discuss the balance of navigating fear while nurturing spiritual growth, emphasizing self-care and community support. Ultimately, it's about finding solace and strength in shared vulnerabilities during these uncertain times.

Explore the profound teachings of Thomas Merton on discovering your True Self beyond ego illusions. Delve into Merton's insights on divine identity and the healing power of contemplation. Engage in meditative practices that foster connection and community, including a collective recitation of the Lord's Prayer. This thought-provoking discussion invites listeners on a transformative journey toward recognizing their identity as creations of God.

In this enlightening discussion, James Finley, an expert on Thomas Merton's mystical teachings, dives deep into the power of sincere prayer as highlighted in Merton's 'Thoughts in Solitude.' He emphasizes the importance of cultivating a genuine relationship with the divine to navigate life's uncertainties. The conversation encourages listeners to reflect on their own spiritual journeys and find guidance through introspection. Finley also shares a meditative practice to help foster communion with God that resonates beyond the individual.

This is the first episode of eight that focuses on the mystic, Thomas Merton. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with a seminal passage from Merton’s New Seeds of Contemplation, reflects on the qualitive essence of the spirit of this text and finishes with a meditative practice.To learn more, visit jamesfinley.orgTurning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. We'd love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. To do so, email us at podcasts@cac.orgFor the transcript to this podcast, you can find it here.Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer on a future episode? Email us: podcasts@cac.orgOr, send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemailThis 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, Kirsten Oates and James Finley are in conversation about Jim’s approach to studying the mystics, how one might integrate their teachings into our daily lives, and most notably a background and sense of the mystic who is the focus of this first series, Thomas Merton. By the end of this episode you will have robust understanding of the life and work of Thomas Merton and his impact on James Finley. To learn more, visit jamesfinley.org  Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. We'd love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. To do so, email us at podcasts@cac.orgFor the transcript to this podcast, you can find it here.Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer on a future episode?Email us: podcasts@cac.orgOr, send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemailThis 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!We'd love to have your thoughts in mind as we think about future seasons, help us out by filling out this survey: turningtothemystics.com

In this episode, Kirsten Oates and James Finley are in dialogue about the form and practice of Turning to the Mystics. In this spirit James Finley begins by outlining the 3 contemplative archetypes that serve as pathways to honor each of our experiences on the mystical journey. He then unpacks his process for each episode; reading a mystical text, reflecting upon that text, and concluding with meditation and prayer. To learn more about Jim, visit jamesfinley.orgTurning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. We'd love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. To do so, email us at podcasts@cac.orgThis 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!For the transcript to this podcast, you can find it here.Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer on a future episode?Email us: podcasts@cac.orgOr, send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail

On this introductory episode, Kirsten Oates introduces us to James Finley, our guide for this podcast. Together they explore the journey of Jim's life and how turning to the mystics and leaning into their experiences can become a gateway to hope, healing and oneness.Jim offers trustworthy guidance for the spiritual journey through programs with the Center for Action and Contemplation including this podcast, and online courses. Jim is the author of several books, including Merton’s Palace of Nowhere, The Contemplative Heart, and Christian Meditation.The transcript for this episode can be found here. To learn more, visit jamesfinley.orgTurning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation.We'd love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. To do so, email us at podcasts@cac.orgThis 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!