Turning to the Mystics with James Finley
Center for Action and Contemplation
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 23, 2026 • 35min
Thérèse of Lisieux: Session 1
A close reading of Thérèse of Lisieux’s Story of a Soul and the reasons she wrote it. Reflections on family love, obedience as simple practice, and finding God in ordinary life. Exploration of suffering, waiting, and the dark night as paths to interior growth. A meditation on the ‘little flower’ image and seeing divine presence in nature, finished with a guided silent prayer.
Mar 16, 2026 • 34min
Turning to Thérèse of Lisieux
A season-opening conversation on Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, tracing her life from childhood to cloistered Carmelite life. They highlight her ‘little way,’ ordinary acts as spiritual practice, and deep Scriptural and mystical influences. Stories about Thomas Merton, relics, suffering, and her enduring impact on devotion and the communion of saints are also explored.
Mar 2, 2026 • 5min
Coming Soon: Turning to Thérèse of Lisieux
A preview of a season centered on St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Conversations explore her relevance for modern life and the intimate immediacy of daily mystery. Reflections on grounding in gratitude, love, and a presence beyond suffering. Practices include Lectio Divina with Thérèse and staying connected amid human breaks.
Dec 1, 2025 • 1h 4min
Brother Lawrence: Listener Questions
Kirsten and Jim dive into the profound teachings of Brother Lawrence, addressing listener questions that touch on sin, trauma, and divine rest. They explore practical ways to manage racing thoughts, emphasizing the beauty of stillness in prayer. The podcast discusses the depths of boredom in spiritual life as a longing for union and the illuminating moments of awakening. With reflections on aging, fragility, and the hidden mysteries of contemporary mystics, listeners are invited to embrace the divine amid life's distractions.
Nov 3, 2025 • 1h 1min
A Coaching Session on Brother Lawrence
Dive into a coaching session exploring Brother Lawrence's teachings on practicing the presence of God. Discover how simplicity transforms ordinary moments into sacred ones. Learn about cultivating faithfulness without anxiety and the importance of the heart in spiritual practice. Jim offers practical tips on forming habits of presence through brief reflections. Plus, unpack the interplay of mind, heart, and soul in deepening your connection. Prepare for a journey of sincere prayer and contemplative silence!
Oct 27, 2025 • 1h 1min
Bonus: Carmen Acevedo Butcher on Brother Lawrence
Carmen Acevedo Butcher, an award-winning translator and teacher, shares her journey of translating Brother Lawrence's 'Practice of the Presence.' She discusses how a pivotal conversation inspired her project and how she approaches translation as a spiritual practice. Carmen explains the challenges of conveying the ineffable mysticism in language and highlights Brother Lawrence's emphasis on finding God in ordinary tasks. The conversation explores themes of humility, trauma recovery, and the inclusivity of contemporary translations and their implications for understanding the divine.
Oct 20, 2025 • 1h 6min
Dialogue 3: Mystical Lineage
In this thought-provoking session, Jim and Kirsten dive into Brother Lawrence's influence within the mystical lineage, emphasizing practical spirituality. They explore Teresa of Ávila's transformative teachings and the concept of prayer that deepens the heart's receptivity. The discussion touches on John of the Cross’s dark night experience and how both enrichment and deprivation lead to unitive awareness. The panel reflects on the importance of humility and daily life in spiritual practice, ultimately illuminating the mystics' journey towards divine transformation.
Oct 13, 2025 • 40min
Brother Lawrence: Session 3
Explore the transformative awakenings of mystics like Brother Lawrence, Teresa of Avila, and John of the Cross. Delve into how a simple tree sparked profound insights and how love can enlarge the heart. Discover the role of grace moments as pathways to a constant sense of divine presence. James Finley guides listeners to reflect on their own awakenings and how to deepen their spiritual practices. Engage in a practical prayer movement to nurture a habitual connection with the divine, culminating in a rich, guided meditation.
Oct 6, 2025 • 53min
Dialogue 2: All for All
Dive into the rich insights of Brother Lawrence's letters, exploring how mystical simplicity evolves over a lifetime. Discover the beauty of integrating the divine into everyday tasks, and the struggles that accompany spiritual beginnings. Jim and Kirsten reflect on the nature of recognizing spiritual teachers and the challenge of conveying mystical experiences. They discuss love, mercy, and the transformative power of practicing God's presence, emphasizing how limitations can lead one closer to divine love.
Sep 29, 2025 • 42min
Brother Lawrence: Session 2
Dive into the profound wisdom of Brother Lawrence as the significance of his 12th letter unfolds, revealing clarity in life's final moments. Explore how awareness of God's presence isn't solely earned but given, while navigating unshareable interior experiences. Discover the beauty of seeing only love in everyday tasks, and understand that flaws do not diminish God's grace. Join in gratitude for divine kindness and learn how practical spirituality thrives in the mundane, leading to a life fully immersed in love.
