Season 10 of Turning to the Mystics will continue with our next mystic, T.S. Eliot. Our journey begins on September 9th, 2024.

In this episode, Kirsten and Jim answer listener questions from Season 9, focusing on the teachings of the Way of a Pilgrim. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. 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!

This is the third session that focuses on the 19th-century anonymous text, The Way of a Pilgrim. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with passages from The Way of a Pilgrim, 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 James Finley, visit his faculty profile at the Center for Action and Contemplation here. The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book we will be using this season can be found here. Connect with us: Have a question or personal story of pilgrimage that you'd like to share with Jim and Kirsten about this season? Email us: podcasts@cac.org Send us a voicemail here: http://www.cac.org/voicemail We'll be accepting questions for Listener Questions and Stories of Pilgrimage until June 21st, 2024. 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!

This is the fifth session that focuses on the mystic, Teresa of Avila. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with a passage from the sixth mansion of Teresa’s The Interior Castle, 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 to this podcast, you can find it here. The book being used for this season can be found here. Check out our online course on the Interior Castle, details are 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!

Before we venture into the 6th and 7th mansions, we wanted to pause and air this bonus episode in which Jim, Kirsten, and special guest Mirabai Starr explore the life story of Teresa of Avila, and what it means for us today. Mirabai is a scholar, a translator, a teacher, and a bereavement counselor who has led many retreats—including several with Jim—and an award-winning author of multiple books, 3 of which focus on Teresa, and most recently Wild Mercy: Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics. You can learn more about her at www.mirabaistarr.com 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. Check out our online course on the Interior Castle, details are 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!

In this episode, Jim and Kirsten have a dialogue around the fifth mansion of Teresa of Avila's The Interior Castle and discuss the path it provides for spiritual transformation. In this episode, Kirsten references a translation of the Interior Castle by Mirabai Starr. You can get it here. 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. Check out our online course on the Interior Castle, details are 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!

This is the fourth session that focuses on the mystic, Teresa of Avila. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with a passage from the fifth mansion of Teresa’s The Interior Castle, 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 to this podcast, you can find it here. The book being used for this season can be found here. Check out our online course on the Interior Castle, details are 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!

In this episode, Jim and Kirsten have a dialogue around the fourth mansion of Teresa of Avila's The Interior Castle and discuss the path it provides for spiritual transformation. In this episode, Kirsten references a translation of the Interior Castle by Mirabai Starr. You can get it here. 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. Check out our online course on the Interior Castle, details are 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!

This is the third session that focuses on the mystic, Teresa of Avila. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with a passage from the fourth mansion of Teresa's The Interior Castle, 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 to this podcast, you can find it here. The book being used for this season can be found here. Check out our online course on the Interior Castle, details are 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!

On this episode, Jim and Kirsten have a dialogue around the second mansion of Teresa of Avila's The Interior Castle and discuss the path it provides for spiritual transformation. In this episode, Kirsten references a translation of the Interior Castle by Mirabai Starr. You can get it here. 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. Check out our online course on the Interior Castle, details are 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!

In this episode, Jim and Kirsten have a dialogue around the first mansion of Teresa of Avila's The Interior Castle and discuss the path it provides for spiritual transformation. 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. Check out our online course on the Interior Castle, details are 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!

This is the second session that focuses on the mystic, Teresa of Avila. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with a passage from the second mansion of Teresa's The Interior Castle, 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 to this podcast, you can find it here. The book being used for this season can be found here. Check out our online course on the Interior Castle, details are here. Connect with us: Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about St. John of the Cross? 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!

This is the first session that focuses on the mystic, Teresa of Avila. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with a passage from Teresa's The Interior Castle, 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 to this podcast, you can find it here. The book being used for this season can be found here. Check out our online course on the Interior Castle, details are 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!

This is the second dialogue session that focuses on the 19th-century mystical text, The Way of a Pilgrim, which covers sections of the first chapter. Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about James Finley, visit his faculty profile at the Center for Action and Contemplation here. The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book we will be using this season can be found here. Connect with us: Have a question or personal story of pilgrimage that you'd like to share with Jim and Kirsten about this season? Email us: podcasts@cac.org Send us a voicemail here: http://www.cac.org/voicemail We'll be accepting questions for Listener Questions and Stories of Pilgrimage until June 21st, 2024. 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!

Welcome to Season 2 of Turning to the Mystics. In this episode, Kirsten Oates and James Finley turning to Teresa of Avila and discovering how one might integrate her teachings into our daily lives. By the end of this episode, you will have a robust understanding of the life and work of Teresa of Avila and her impact on Jim Finley.  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. Check out our online course on the Interior Castle, details are 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!

On this bonus episode, Jim and Kirsten are offering a reflection on what it means to turn to the mystics during this time of increasing awareness of the evils of systemic racism within our culture. Afterwards, there is a silent meditation for 8:46 to honor the life of George Floyd. To learn about the history of systemic racism in the United States, please visit this link. For listeners who are new to this conversation and are looking for a comprehensive list of resources to further your work of anti-racism, we encourage you to please visit this link.

This is a mini-episode to round out our series on Thomas Merton. A common request we received during the airing of Turning to Thomas Merton was for further reading and additional resources. Jim and Kirsten put together this mini episode to give you just that. We'll see you very soon for Turning to Teresa of Avila.

On this episode, Jim and Kirsten answer questions about spiritual practices that were submitted by the listeners during the airing of the 1st season. The transcript for this episode can be found here. To learn more about James Finley, 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.org Have 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/voicemail  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!

On this episode, Jim and Kirsten answer questions about Thomas Merton that were submitted by the listeners during the airing of the 1st season. The transcript for this episode can be found here. To learn more about James Finley, 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.org Have 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/voicemail  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!

This is the eighth and final episode in this series that focuses on the mystic, Thomas Merton. In this episode, Jim revisits our explorations of Thomas Merton by singling out themes or aspects of his teachings, and how those can be found in the broader Christian Contemplative Traditions. For the transcript to this podcast, you can find it here.  To learn more about James Finley, 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.org Have 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/voicemail 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!

This is the seventh episode of eight that focuses on the mystic, Thomas Merton. In the spirit of Lectio Divina, James Finley draws from Thomas Merton’s The Inner Experience teaching from some of Thomas Merton's 11 points of infused contemplation. For the transcript to this podcast, you can find it here.  To learn more about James Finley, 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.org Have 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/voicemail 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!

In this bonus episode of Turning to The Mystics, as we enter Eastertide, Jim and Kirsten are focusing on an Easter message that will help us reflect on the truth of life and resurrection so that we might ground ourselves in that story during a time such as this with the ongoing pandemic. The transcript for this bonus episode can be found here. To learn more about James Finley, 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.org  Have 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/voicemail  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!

This is the sixth episode of eight that focuses on the mystic, Thomas Merton. In the spirit of Lectio Divina, James Finley draws from Thoms Merton’s The Seven Story Mountain and James Finley’s own Merton’s Palace of Nowhere to helps us respond to God’s presence in our lives, and show us which aspects need to be purified in order to realize the union with God that we long for.   For the transcript to this podcast, you can find it here.  To learn more about James Finley, 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.org  Have 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/voicemail  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!

In this bonus episode of Turning to The Mystics, Jim and Kirsten are focusing on Holy Week and discussing what this ritual can offer us as we continue to process and navigate our way through this pandemic. The transcript for this bonus episode can be found here. To learn more about James Finley, 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.org Have 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/voicemail  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!

This is the second session that focuses on the 19th-century anonymous text, The Way of a Pilgrim. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with passages from The Way of a Pilgrim, 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 James Finley, visit his faculty profile at the Center for Action and Contemplation here. The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book we will be using this season can be found here. Connect with us: Have a question or personal story of pilgrimage that you'd like to share with Jim and Kirsten about this season? Email us: podcasts@cac.org Send us a voicemail here: http://www.cac.org/voicemail We'll be accepting questions for Listener Questions and Stories of Pilgrimage until June 21st, 2024. 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!

This is the fifth episode of eight that focuses on the mystic, Thomas Merton. In the spirit of Lectio Divina, James Finley looks at a contemplative prayer from Thomas Merton’s Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander. In this session, Jim moves from a reflective prayer in the previous episode to contemplative prayer. Using wordless communion, Jim shares a series of paradoxes to help us not fall into reflection prayer.  For the transcript to this podcast, you can find it here.  To learn more about James Finley, 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.org Have 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/voicemail  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!

In this special episode of Turning to the Mystics, James Finley is joined by Kirsten Oates to pause and reflect on this timely moment we are all in with the world facing the pandemic, COVID-19. James grounds his mystical teaching in light of the suffering world and offers guidance on how this contemplative grounding heightens our response to that suffering. In addition to that, they are answering listener questions submitted since the last episode. The transcript for this podcast can be found here. This 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.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! Have a question you’d like Jim or Kirsten to respond to on a future episode?  Email us: podcasts@cac.org  Or, send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail

This is the fourth episode of eight that focuses on the mystic, Thomas Merton. In the spirit of Lectio Divina, James Finley re-visits Thomas Merton’s prayer from Thoughts in Solitude that he touched on in Session 2. In this session, Jim turns it into a reflective prayer and guides us into better ways of understanding ourselves, our lives in the presence of God, and how God sustains and guides us as Jim finishes with a meditative practice.   For the transcript to this podcast, you can find it here.   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.org Have 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/voicemail  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!

In this special episode of Turning to the Mystics, James Finley is joined by Kirsten Oates to pause and reflect on this timely moment we are all in with the world facing the pandemic, COVID-19. James grounds his mystical teaching in light of the suffering world and offers guidance on how this contemplative grounding heightens our response to that suffering. In his inimitable poetic voice, James guides us through a visualization exercise, helps us ground our fear in love, and sensitizes us to our awakened hearts. Closing out this episode, Kirsten and James dialogue about their experiences in this time of uncertainty and personal suffering.   The transcript for this episode can be found here. This 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.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! Have a question you’d like Jim or Kirsten to respond to on a future episode?  Email us: podcasts@cac.org  Or, send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail 

This is the third episode of eight that focuses on the mystic, Thomas Merton. In the spirit of Lectio Divina, James Finley reflects on Thomas Merton’s perspective of our ultimate identity. Drawing from a chapter in Merton’s New Seeds of Contemplation, Jim reflects on how we can recognize our True Self beyond the illusions of our ego, and finishes with a meditative practice.   For the transcript to this podcast, you can find it here.  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.org Have 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/voicemail  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!

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.org Have 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/voicemail 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!

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.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.org 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.org Or, send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail 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!

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.org 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.org Or, send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail 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! 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

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.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.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! 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.org Or, send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail

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.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.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!

This is the first dialogue session that focuses on the 19th-century mystical text, The Way of a Pilgrim, which covers sections of the first chapter. Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about James Finley, visit his faculty profile at the Center for Action and Contemplation here. The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book we will be using this season can be found here. Connect with us: Have a question or personal story of pilgrimage that you'd like to share with Jim and Kirsten about this season? Email us: podcasts@cac.org Send us a voicemail here: http://www.cac.org/voicemail We'll be accepting questions for Listener Questions and Stories of Pilgrimage until June 21st, 2024. 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!

This is the first session that focuses on the 19th-century anonymous text, The Way of a Pilgrim. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with passages from The Way of a Pilgrim, 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 James Finley, visit his faculty profile at the Center for Action and Contemplation here. The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book we will be using this season can be found here. Connect with us: Have a question or personal story of pilgrimage that you'd like to share with Jim and Kirsten about this season? Email us: podcasts@cac.org Send us a voicemail here: http://www.cac.org/voicemail We'll be accepting questions for Listener Questions and Stories of Pilgrimage until June 6th, 2024. 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!

Welcome to Season 9 of Turning to the Mystics. This season we are turning toThe Way of a Pilgrim for spiritual guidance, a 19th-century account of a pilgrim's journey towards unceasing prayer through the practice of the Jesus Prayer. In this episode, James Finley and Kirsten Oates explain the significance of the anonymous author and the practice of contemplative prayer. Jim shares his personal experience with the book and the impact it had on his spiritual journey. They conclude by discussing the context of the book and the importance of pilgrimage in the search for God. Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about James Finley, visit his faculty profile at the Center for Action and Contemplation here. The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book we will be using this season can be found here. Connect with us: Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about this season? Email us: podcasts@cac.org Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail We'll be accepting questions for Listener Questions and Stories of Pilgrimage until June 21st, 2024. 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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

In this special episode, Jim and Kirsten review the season and offer a way for us to turn to the Jesus Prayer and the Way of a Pilgrim for guidance on our own spiritual path. Resource Section: A transcript for this episode can be found here. A video to the meditation within this episode can be accessible here. The book we will be using this season, The Way of a Pilgrim, can be found here. Connect with us: We'll return in two weeks with our listener questions episode. Additionally, thank you for sharing your stories of pilgrimage with us. We will be working on a special episode and will be airing this later this year. 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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Welcome to Season 8 of Turning to the Mystics. This season we are turning to the 13th-century German mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg, a Beguine, for spiritual guidance. In this episode, James Finley and Kirsten Oates cover the life and person of Mechthild of Magdeburg and discuss how we can work with her teachings to transform our lives. Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about James Finley, visit his faculty profile at the Center for Action and Contemplation here. The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book we will be using this season 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 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!