Turning to the Mystics with James Finley

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!

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!

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!

Discover the mystic insights of Julian of Norwich as the hosts delve into her near-death vision and life as a recluse. Explore the distinction between seeking and contemplation, and the longing that accompanies spiritual growth. Engage with the metaphor of ocean depths to understand deeper oneness, and learn how desire echoes God’s own. Reflect on the transformative power of poverty and failure, while considering how to adopt an inner stance receptive to the mystical. Finally, experience the ordinary moments that reveal the divine in our lives.

Delve into the mystical insights of Julian of Norwich as the host reflects on her profound teachings. Explore the idea of God as the ultimate light that guides our understanding. Discover how the desire to seek God is inherently a divine invitation. Experience the fourfold journey of awakening, seeking, and embracing God's presence. Julian's metaphors of the sea and stones illustrate our continual descent into divine love. Enjoy guided contemplation that invites you to soak in her wisdom and deepen your connection to the divine.

In this engaging discussion, Mirabai Starr, a writer and translator of mystical texts, delves into the profound wisdom of 14th-century mystic Julian of Norwich. She shares insights into Julian's near-death experiences and the creation of her transformative work, The Showings. Key topics include Julian's radical views on sin, the integration of the feminine divine, and her unique perspective that God embodies both father and mother. Mirabai also explores the significance of finding grace in everyday life and how Julian's teachings can still illuminate our spiritual journeys.

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 Unknowing00:05:19 – Gender and The Cloud of Unknowing00:07:38 – Questions about The Path00:11:55 – Using Words and Anchors in Meditation00:14:09 – Encountering Anxiety During Meditation00:22:23 – Working with Non-Attachment and Fear00:27:30 – Meditation in Group Settings00:30:32 – Difficult Emotions During Practice00:33:51 – Accepting Yourself During Practice00:36:14 – The Cloud and Working with Painful Memories00:41:19 – Working with Pain and the Infinite00:43:56 – Struggling to Connect with Unitive Consciousness00:47:48 – Is Every Thing Eternal?00:52:16 – Feeling Love During Contemplation00:55:21 – A Voicemail from Miguel01:01:14 – The Mystics and Centering Prayer01:03:37 – Bringing Our Practice Into the World01:06:40 – Loving God for God Alone01:09:01 – Contemplative Transformation of PersonalityResources: 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 hosts delve into the transformative practice of Centering Prayer and its roots in The Cloud of Unknowing. They discuss how distractions during meditation reveal deeper awareness and the importance of patience when facing frustration. A moving story about a dying sister inspires a commitment to embody love. The conversation highlights how physical discomfort can arise during practice and how it's tied to stored emotions. Finally, they explore the connection between ordinary life and spiritual growth, reminding listeners that progress unfolds gradually.

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!

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!