
Turning to the Mystics with James Finley
Turning to the Mystics is a podcast for people searching for something more meaningful, intimate and richly present in the divine gift of their lives. James Finley, clinical psychologist and Living School faculty, offers a modern take on the historical contemplative practices of Christian mystics like Teresa of Avila, Thomas Merton, John of the Cross among others. Leaning into their experiences can become a gateway to hope, healing and oneness. Together with Kirsten Oates from the Center for Action and Contemplation, they explore listener questions and examine their own paths as modern contemplatives in this beautiful and broken world.
Latest episodes

Aug 19, 2024 • 5min
Coming Soon: Turning to T.S. Eliot
Season 10 of Turning to the Mystics will continue with our next mystic, T.S. Eliot.Our journey begins on September 9th, 2024.

7 snips
Jul 26, 2024 • 1h 34min
A Way of a Pilgrim: Listener Questions
Kirsten and Jim dive into listener questions about spiritual journeys and the transformative power of inner calling. They discuss the significance of weaving spirituality into professional lives, especially in legal fields. The duo explores the harmony between rhythm, solitude, and prayer, alongside the profound impact of the Jesus Prayer. They reflect on longing in spirituality, emphasizing the cyclical nature of yearning and fulfillment. Plus, they express excitement about sharing upcoming pilgrimage stories, fostering deeper community connections.

Jul 1, 2024 • 46min
A Coaching Session on the Way of a Pilgrim
In this special episode, Jim and Kirsten review the season and offer a way for us to turn to the Jesus Prayer and the Way of a Pilgrim for guidance on our own spiritual path.Resource Section:
A transcript for this episode can be found here.
A video to the meditation within this episode can be accessible here.
The book we will be using this season, The Way of a Pilgrim, can be found here.
Connect with us:
We'll return in two weeks with our listener questions episode. Additionally, thank you for sharing your stories of pilgrimage with us. We will be working on a special episode and will be airing this later this year.
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 https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/ Thank you!

Jun 10, 2024 • 1h 9min
Dialogue 6: The Prayer in Ordinary Life
This is the sixth dialogue session that focuses on the 19th-century mystical text, The Way of a Pilgrim, which covers sections of the first chapter.Resources:
Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about James Finley, visit his faculty profile at the Center for Action and Contemplation here.
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
The book we will be using this season can be found here.
Connect with us:
Have a question or personal story of pilgrimage that you'd like to share with Jim and Kirsten about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail here: http://www.cac.org/voicemail
We'll be accepting questions for Listener Questions and Stories of Pilgrimage until June 21st, 2024.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 https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/ Thank you!

Jun 3, 2024 • 50min
The Way of a Pilgrim: Session 6
This is the sixth session that focuses on the 19th-century anonymous text, The Way of a Pilgrim. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with passages from The Way of a Pilgrim, reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of this text, and finishes with a meditative practice.Resources:
Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about James Finley, visit his faculty profile at the Center for Action and Contemplation here.
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
The book we will be using this season can be found here.
Connect with us:
Have a question or personal story of pilgrimage that you'd like to share with Jim and Kirsten about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail here: http://www.cac.org/voicemail
We'll be accepting questions for Listener Questions and Stories of Pilgrimage until June 21st, 2024.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 https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/ Thank you!

May 27, 2024 • 1h 7min
Dialogue 5: The Realm of the Heart
This is the fifth dialogue session that focuses on the 19th-century mystical text, The Way of a Pilgrim, which covers sections of the first chapter.Resources:
Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about James Finley, visit his faculty profile at the Center for Action and Contemplation here.
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
The book we will be using this season can be found here.
Connect with us:
Have a question or personal story of pilgrimage that you'd like to share with Jim and Kirsten about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail here: http://www.cac.org/voicemail
We'll be accepting questions for Listener Questions and Stories of Pilgrimage until June 21st, 2024.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 https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/ Thank you!

May 20, 2024 • 38min
The Way of a Pilgrim: Session 5
This is the fifth session that focuses on the 19th-century anonymous text, The Way of a Pilgrim. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with passages from The Way of a Pilgrim, reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of this text, and finishes with a meditative practice.Resources:
Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about James Finley, visit his faculty profile at the Center for Action and Contemplation here.
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
The book we will be using this season can be found here.
Connect with us:
Have a question or personal story of pilgrimage that you'd like to share with Jim and Kirsten about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail here: http://www.cac.org/voicemail
We'll be accepting questions for Listener Questions and Stories of Pilgrimage until June 21st, 2024.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 https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/ Thank you!

May 13, 2024 • 48min
Dialogue 4: The Prayer Takes Hold
This is the fourth dialogue session that focuses on the 19th-century mystical text, The Way of a Pilgrim, which covers sections of the first chapter.Resources:
Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about James Finley, visit his faculty profile at the Center for Action and Contemplation here.
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
The book we will be using this season can be found here.
Connect with us:
Have a question or personal story of pilgrimage that you'd like to share with Jim and Kirsten about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail here: http://www.cac.org/voicemail
We'll be accepting questions for Listener Questions and Stories of Pilgrimage until June 21st, 2024.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 https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/ Thank you!

May 6, 2024 • 35min
The Way of a Pilgrim: Session 4
This is the fourth session that focuses on the 19th-century anonymous text, The Way of a Pilgrim. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with passages from The Way of a Pilgrim, reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of this text, and finishes with a meditative practice.Resources:
Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about James Finley, visit his faculty profile at the Center for Action and Contemplation here.
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
The book we will be using this season can be found here.
Connect with us:
Have a question or personal story of pilgrimage that you'd like to share with Jim and Kirsten about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail here: http://www.cac.org/voicemail
We'll be accepting questions for Listener Questions and Stories of Pilgrimage until June 21st, 2024.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 https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/ Thank you!

Apr 29, 2024 • 1h 7min
Dialogue 3: The Pilgrim Learns to Pray
This is the third dialogue session that focuses on the 19th-century mystical text, The Way of a Pilgrim, which covers sections of the first chapter.Resources:
Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about James Finley, visit his faculty profile at the Center for Action and Contemplation here.
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
The book we will be using this season can be found here.
Connect with us:
Have a question or personal story of pilgrimage that you'd like to share with Jim and Kirsten about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail here: http://www.cac.org/voicemail
We'll be accepting questions for Listener Questions and Stories of Pilgrimage until June 21st, 2024.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 https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/ Thank you!
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