Turning to the Mystics with James Finley

Dive into T.S. Eliot's poetic depths as they explore themes of time and existence in 'East Coker.' Discover the solitude and interconnectedness of nature, revealing the beauty beyond linear perception. Contemplate existential fears, identity, and mortality while reflecting on our shared human journey. Experience the transformative 'dark night of the soul,' leading to profound spiritual awakenings. Finally, embrace the art of waiting, finding fulfillment within divine love and collective healing through meditative introspection.

Dive into T.S. Eliot's poetic landscape, where spirituality meets emotional depth. The dialogue highlights how personal suffering can lead to profound insights about faith and salvation. Through evocative metaphors, themes of mortality and interconnectedness unfold, encouraging a deeper appreciation of life's complexities. The transformative power of mercy and divine contemplation is explored, with reflections on memory's role in transcending time. Finally, the speakers connect Eliot's wisdom to mystical traditions, revealing the rich spiritual journey embedded in poetry.

This is the first session that focuses on the poet T.S. Eliot and his work, Four Quartets. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with passages from Four Quartets, 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 here. The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book we will be using this season can be found here. A free version can be accessed online here. Connect with us: Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about this season? Email us: podcasts@cac.org Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail We'll be accepting questions for our Listener Questions episode until November 7th, 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!

Dive into the mystical world of T.S. Eliot as his poetry transforms spiritual journeys. Discover how mysticism and poetry interweave, reflecting deep emotional truths. Explore the poet's public acclaim alongside his introspective life. Unpack the profound themes of suffering and divine presence in works like 'The Waste Land.' Experience the serenity of 'Burt Norton' and the concept of the 'still point.' Join the conversation on Eliot's 'Four Quartets' for a deeper connection with the divine.

Season 10 of Turning to the Mystics will continue with our next mystic, T.S. Eliot.Our journey begins on September 9th, 2024.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!