
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

Sep 19, 2022 • 37min
Julian of Norwich: Session 2
This is the second session that focuses on the mystic, Julian of Norwich. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with another passage from Chapter 10 of The Showings, and 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 Jim, visit jamesfinley.org
For the transcript for 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!

Sep 12, 2022 • 48min
Dialogue 1: Chapter 10, The Long Text
This is the first dialogue that focuses on the mystic, Julian of Norwich. In this episode, Jim and Kirsten discuss Session 1 where Jim talks about Chapter 10 from The Long Text.Resources:
Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about Jim, visit jamesfinley.org
For the transcript for 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!

Sep 5, 2022 • 37min
Julian of Norwich: Session 1
This is the first session that focuses on the mystic, Julian of Norwich. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with a passage from Chapter 10 of The Showings, and 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 Jim, visit jamesfinley.org
For the transcript for 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!

Aug 29, 2022 • 1h 3min
Turning to Julian of Norwich
Welcome to Season 6 of Turning to the Mystics. This season we are turning to 14th-century English mystic Julian of Norwich for spiritual guidance. In this episode, Mirabai Starr returns to the show covering the person and life of Julian of Norwich and how we can work with her teachings to transform our lives. Throughout this season, we will work with the text, The Showings.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's translation of The Showings can be found here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about Julian of Norwich? Email us: podcasts@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!

Jun 8, 2022 • 1h 17min
The Cloud of Unknowing: Listener Questions
In this episode, Jim and Kirsten answer questions that were submitted by the listeners during the airing of the 5th season around The Cloud of Unknowing. Due to the length of this episode, we are providing key markers so you can move around the episode however it best applies to your path.Markers:00:02:38 – Recapping The Cloud of Unknowing00:05:19 – Gender and The Cloud of Unknowing00:07:38 – Questions about The Path00:11:55 – Using Words and Anchors in Meditation00:14:09 – Encountering Anxiety During Meditation00:22:23 – Working with Non-Attachment and Fear00:27:30 – Meditation in Group Settings00:30:32 – Difficult Emotions During Practice00:33:51 – Accepting Yourself During Practice00:36:14 – The Cloud and Working with Painful Memories00:41:19 – Working with Pain and the Infinite00:43:56 – Struggling to Connect with Unitive Consciousness00:47:48 – Is Every Thing Eternal?00:52:16 – Feeling Love During Contemplation00:55:21 – A Voicemail from Miguel01:01:14 – The Mystics and Centering Prayer01:03:37 – Bringing Our Practice Into the World01:06:40 – Loving God for God Alone01:09:01 – Contemplative Transformation of PersonalityResources:
Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about Jim, visit jamesfinley.org
For the transcript for 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!

May 9, 2022 • 47min
A Coaching Session on Centering Prayer
On this special episode, Jim coaches Kirsten in implementing the Centering Prayer practice that he has been teaching about from within The Cloud of Unknowing.Resources:
Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about Jim, visit jamesfinley.org
For the transcript for 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!

May 2, 2022 • 55min
Dialogue 4: The Perfect Life
This is the fourth and final dialogue that focuses on the mystical text, The Cloud of Unknowing. In this episode, Jim and Kirsten discuss Session 3 where Jim talks about the fourth and final phase in The Cloud of Unknowing, the perfect life.Resources:
Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about Jim, visit jamesfinley.org
For the transcript for 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!

Apr 25, 2022 • 53min
The Cloud of Unknowing: Session 4
This is the fourth session that focuses on the mystical text, The Cloud of Unknowing. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with a passage from The Cloud of Unknowing, and 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 Jim, visit jamesfinley.org
For the transcript for 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!

Apr 18, 2022 • 55min
Dialogue 3: The Singular Life
This is the third dialogue that focuses on the mystical text, The Cloud of Unknowing. In this episode, Jim and Kirsten discuss Session 3 where Jim talks about the third of four phases in The Cloud of Unknowing, the singular life.Resources:
Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about Jim, visit jamesfinley.org
For the transcript for 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!

Apr 11, 2022 • 44min
The Cloud of Unknowing: Session 3
This is the third session that focuses on the mystical text, The Cloud of Unknowing. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with a passage from The Cloud of Unknowing, and 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 Jim, visit jamesfinley.org
For the transcript for 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!
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