Turning to the Mystics with James Finley

Introducing James Finley

On this introductory episode, Kirsten Oates introduces us to James Finley, our guide for this podcast. Together they explore the journey of Jim's life and how turning to the mystics and leaning into their experiences can become a gateway to hope, healing and oneness.Jim offers trustworthy guidance for the spiritual journey through programs with the Center for Action and Contemplation including this podcast, and online courses. Jim is the author of several books, including Merton’s Palace of Nowhere, The Contemplative Heart, and Christian Meditation.The transcript for this episode can be found here. To learn more, visit jamesfinley.orgTurning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation.We'd love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. To do so, email us at podcasts@cac.orgThis 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!

Instructions for The Practice

In this episode, Kirsten Oates and James Finley are in dialogue about the form and practice of Turning to the Mystics. In this spirit James Finley begins by outlining the 3 contemplative archetypes that serve as pathways to honor each of our experiences on the mystical journey. He then unpacks his process for each episode; reading a mystical text, reflecting upon that text, and concluding with meditation and prayer. To learn more about Jim, visit jamesfinley.orgTurning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. We'd love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. To do so, email us at podcasts@cac.orgThis 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!For the transcript to this podcast, you can find it here.Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer on a future episode?Email us: podcasts@cac.orgOr, send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail

Turning to Thomas Merton

In this episode, Kirsten Oates and James Finley are in conversation about Jim’s approach to studying the mystics, how one might integrate their teachings into our daily lives, and most notably a background and sense of the mystic who is the focus of this first series, Thomas Merton. By the end of this episode you will have robust understanding of the life and work of Thomas Merton and his impact on James Finley. To learn more, visit jamesfinley.org  Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. We'd love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. To do so, email us at podcasts@cac.orgFor the transcript to this podcast, you can find it here.Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer on a future episode?Email us: podcasts@cac.orgOr, send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemailThis 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!We'd love to have your thoughts in mind as we think about future seasons, help us out by filling out this survey: turningtothemystics.com

Thomas Merton: Session 1

This is the first episode of eight that focuses on the mystic, Thomas Merton. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with a seminal passage from Merton’s New Seeds of Contemplation, reflects on the qualitive essence of the spirit of this text and finishes with a meditative practice.To learn more, visit jamesfinley.orgTurning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. We'd love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. To do so, email us at podcasts@cac.orgFor the transcript to this podcast, you can find it here.Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer on a future episode? Email us: podcasts@cac.orgOr, send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemailThis 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!

Thomas Merton: Session 2

This is the second episode of eight that focuses on the mystic, Thomas Merton. In the spirit of Lectio Divina, James Finley highlights a prayer from Merton’s Thoughts in Solitude, reflects on sustaining the fidelity to communion with God so that it can touch the whole world, and finishes with a meditative practice.  To learn more, visit jamesfinley.org For the transcript to this podcast, you can find it here.Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation.We'd love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. To do so, email us at podcasts@cac.orgHave a question you’d like Jim or Kirsten to answer on a future episode?Email us: podcasts@cac.org or, send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemailThis 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!