

Turning to the Mystics with James Finley
Center for Action and Contemplation
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 4, 2023 • 1h 3min
Mechthild of Magdeburg: Listener Questions (Part 2)
Welcome to the listener questions series from our sessions on Mechthild of Magdeburg. Due to the volume of questions this season, we have decided to make two episodes dedicated to listener questions. This is the last of the two episodes on Mechthild of Magdeburg.In this episode, Jim Finley and Kirsten Oates reflect on listener questions about Mechthild of Magdeburg and other mystics. They discuss Mechthild's view of the body and how it influenced her spirituality, the difference between psychological and spiritual truths, and the challenges of living a contemplative life in a busy world. They also explore the concept of longing as a path to God, the role of personal experiences of God, and the unique qualities of different mystics.Resources:
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
Join us December 7 - 10, 2023 for Turning to the Mystics Online Retreat: The Way of the Mind and the Way of the Heart. Learn more and register at cac.org/retreat
Connect with us: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!

Nov 28, 2023 • 57min
Mechthild of Magdeburg: Listener Questions (Part 1)
Welcome to the listener questions series from our sessions on Mechthild of Magdeburg. Due to the volume of questions this season, we have decided to make two episodes dedicated to listener questions. This is the first of two on Mechthild of Magdeburg.Resources:
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
Join us December 7 - 10, 2023 for Turning to the Mystics Online Retreat: The Way of the Mind and the Way of the Heart. Learn more and register at cac.org/retreat
Connect with us: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!

Nov 6, 2023 • 1h 9min
Bonus: Bernard McGinn on Mechthild, Eckhart, and Mysticism
On this special bonus episode, James Finley and Kirsten Oates interview Dr. Bernard McGinn about Christian mysticism and how Cristian mystics guide us in living faithfully to the mystical dimensions of God's presence. They also discuss the distinctive approaches of Christian mystics Meister Eckhart and Mechthild of Magdeburg and how their teachings complement one another.Resource Section:
A transcript for this episode can be found here.
The book we will be using this season, The Flowing Light of the Godhead, can be found here.
Join us December 7 - 10, 2023 for Turning to the Mystics Online Retreat: The Way of the Mind and the Way of the Heart. Learn more and register at cac.org/retreat
Connect with us:
We'll be back in two weeks with a listener questions episode. We are no longer accepting questions for this season.
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!

Oct 23, 2023 • 36min
Coaching Session: May God Bind Us All
In this special episode, Jim and Kirsten review the season and offer a way for us to turn to Mechthild for guidance on our own spiritual path. To help you participate, we have provided the worksheet in the Resource Section below.Resource Section:
A transcript for this episode can be found here.
The worksheet for this episode can be found here.
The book we will be using this season, The Flowing Light of the Godhead, can be found here.
Join us December 7 - 10, 2023 for Turning to the Mystics Online Retreat: The Way of the Mind and the Way of the Heart. Learn more and register at cac.org/retreat
Connect with us:
Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about Mechthild of Magdeburg? Email us: podcasts@cac.org or leave us voicemail. Questions for this season will only be accepted until October 30th, 2023.
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!

Oct 16, 2023 • 1h 12min
Dialogue 3: A Love That Binds
This is the third dialogue session that focuses on the Beguine mystic, Mechthild of Magdeburg. James Finley and Kirsten Oates talk about the third session which focused on passages from Mechthild of Magdeburg's book The Flowing Light of the Godhead.Resources:
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
The book we will be using this season, The Flowing Light of the Godhead, can be found here.
Join us December 7 - 10, 2023 for Turning to the Mystics Online Retreat: The Way of the Mind and the Way of the Heart. Learn more and register at cac.org/retreat
Connect with us:
Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about Mechthild of Magdeburg? Email us: podcasts@cac.org or leave us voicemail. Questions for this season will only be accepted until October 30th, 2023.
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!

Oct 9, 2023 • 46min
Mechthild of Magdeburg: Session 3
This is the third session that focuses on the Beguine mystic, Mechthild of Magdeburg. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with passages from Mechthild of Magdeburg's book The Flowing Light of the Godhead, reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of this text, and finishes with a meditative practice.Resources:
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
The book we will be using this season, The Flowing Light of the Godhead, can be found here.
Join us December 7 - 10, 2023 for Turning to the Mystics Online Retreat: The Way of the Mind and the Way of the Heart. Learn more and register at cac.org/retreat
Connect with us:
Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about Mechthild of Magdeburg? Email us: podcasts@cac.org or leave us voicemail. Questions for this season will only be accepted until October 30th, 2023.
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!

Oct 2, 2023 • 1h 3min
Dialogue 2: A Loving Exchange
This is the second dialogue session that focuses on the Beguine mystic, Mechthild of Magdeburg. James Finley and Kirsten Oates talk about the second session which focused on passages from Mechthild of Magdeburg's book The Flowing Light of the Godhead.Resources:
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
The book we will be using this season, The Flowing Light of the Godhead, can be found here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about Mechthild of Magdeburg? Email us: podcasts@cac.org or leave us voicemail. Questions for this season will only be accepted until October 30th, 2023.
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!

Sep 25, 2023 • 54min
Mechthild of Magdeburg: Session 2
This is the second session that focuses on the Beguine mystic, Mechthild of Magdeburg. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with passages from Mechthild of Magdeburg's book The Flowing Light of the Godhead, reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of this text, and finishes with a meditative practice.Resources:
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
The book we will be using this season, The Flowing Light of the Godhead, can be found here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about Mechthild of Magdeburg? Email us: podcasts@cac.org or leave us voicemail. Questions for this season will only be accepted until October 30th, 2023.
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!

Sep 18, 2023 • 1h 11min
Dialogue 1: The Soul Came to Love
This is the first dialogue session that focuses on the Beguine mystic, Mechthild of Magdeburg. James Finley and Kirsten Oates talk about the first session which focused on passages from Mechthild of Magdeburg's book The Flowing Light of the Godhead.Resources:
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
The book we will be using this season, The Flowing Light of the Godhead, can be found here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about Mechthild of Magdeburg? Email us: podcasts@cac.org or leave us voicemail. Questions for this season will only be accepted until October 30th, 2023.
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!

Sep 11, 2023 • 46min
Mechthild of Magdeburg: Session 1
This is the first session that focuses on the Beguine mystic, Mechthild of Magdeburg. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with passages from Mechthild of Magdeburg's book The Flowing Light of the Godhead, reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of this text, and finishes with a meditative practice.Resources:
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
The book we will be using this season, The Flowing Light of the Godhead, can be found here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about Mechtild of Magdeburg? Email us: podcasts@cac.org or leave us voicemail. Questions for this season will only be accepted until October 30th, 2023.
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!