
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

Mar 28, 2023 • 1h 2min
Bonus: The Healing Path
On this special bonus episode of Turning to the Mystics, we are celebrating the launch of Jim's new memoir, The Healing Path. In this episode, Jim reads the complete introduction to the book and has a conversation with Kirsten about the book and how it came to be.The Healing Path: A Memoir and Invitation is a contemplative reflection on the spirituality of healing, the fruit of the author's lifetime in conducting spiritual direction and psychotherapy, drawing on his lessons from Thomas Merton and study of the mystical path. It is largely written in the form of a memoir of his own recovery from the traumatic wounds of his early life (abusive father, abuse by his confessor in the monastery, a dysfunctional marriage, and his road to healing and wholeness.) But it is not just about his story--it is an invitation to the reader to reflect and resonate with the lessons that apply to their own stories.The Healing Path is available at the CAC bookstore and everywhere books are sold. Learn more at cac.org/healingpathResources:
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
A PDF of the Introduction from The Healing Path, as read by Jim in the episode, can be found here. Thanks to Orbis Books for permission to share this.
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!

Mar 21, 2023 • 6min
Coming Soon: Turning to Meister Eckhart
Season 7 of Turning to the Mystics will continue with our next mystic, Meister Eckhart. We will begin our journey together on April 3rd, 2023.

4 snips
Nov 10, 2022 • 1h 19min
Julian of Norwich: Listener Questions
In this episode, Jim and Kirsten answer questions submitted by the listeners during the airing of the 6th season around Julian of Norwich. 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.
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 https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/ Thank you!

Oct 10, 2022 • 57min
Dialogue 3: Chapter 5
This is the third dialogue that focuses on the mystic, Julian of Norwich. In this episode, Jim and Kirsten discuss Session 3 where Jim gave a talk about Chapter 5 from 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
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!

Oct 3, 2022 • 37min
Julian of Norwich: Session 3
This is the third 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 5 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 26, 2022 • 49min
Dialogue 2: Chapter 10, The Long Text
This is the second dialogue that focuses on the mystic, Julian of Norwich. In this episode, Jim and Kirsten discuss Session 2 where Jim continues his through 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 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!