Turning to the Mystics with James Finley

Latest Episodes:

Julian of Norwich: Session 2 Sep 19, 2022

Show notes

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!

Dialogue 1: Chapter 10, The Long Text Sep 12, 2022

Show notes

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!

Julian of Norwich: Session 1 Sep 05, 2022

Show notes

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!

Turning to Julian of Norwich Aug 29, 2022

Show notes

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!

The Cloud of Unknowing: Listener Questions Jun 08, 2022

Show notes

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 Unknowing

00:05:19 – Gender and The Cloud of Unknowing

00:07:38 – Questions about The Path

00:11:55 – Using Words and Anchors in Meditation

00:14:09 – Encountering Anxiety During Meditation

00:22:23 – Working with Non-Attachment and Fear

00:27:30 – Meditation in Group Settings

00:30:32 – Difficult Emotions During Practice

00:33:51 – Accepting Yourself During Practice

00:36:14 – The Cloud and Working with Painful Memories

00:41:19 – Working with Pain and the Infinite

00:43:56 – Struggling to Connect with Unitive Consciousness

00:47:48 – Is Every Thing Eternal?

00:52:16 – Feeling Love During Contemplation

00:55:21 – A Voicemail from Miguel

01:01:14 – The Mystics and Centering Prayer

01:03:37 – Bringing Our Practice Into the World

01:06:40 – Loving God for God Alone

01:09:01 – Contemplative Transformation of Personality

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!

A Coaching Session on Centering Prayer May 09, 2022

Show notes

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!

Dialogue 4: The Perfect Life May 02, 2022

Show notes

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!

The Cloud of Unknowing: Session 4 Apr 25, 2022

Show notes

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!

Dialogue 3: The Singular Life Apr 18, 2022

Show notes

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!

The Cloud of Unknowing: Session 3 Apr 11, 2022

Show notes

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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