Center for Action and Contemplation

Turning to the Mystics with James Finley

Religion EN ↓ 181 episodes

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 contemp...

Author

Center for Action and Contemplation

Category

Religion

Latest episode

Jun 22, 2026

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Episodes

Dialogue 1: Chapter 10, The Long Text 12.09.2022

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...

Julian of Norwich: Session 1 05.09.2022

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 l...

Turning to Julian of Norwich 29.08.2022

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 t...

The Cloud of Unknowing: Listener Questions 08.06.2022

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 –...

A Coaching Session on Centering Prayer 09.05.2022

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 foun...

Dialogue 4: The Perfect Life 02.05.2022

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...

The Cloud of Unknowing: Session 4 25.04.2022

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 Contemplat...

Dialogue 3: The Singular Life 18.04.2022

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 pod...

The Cloud of Unknowing: Session 3 11.04.2022

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 Contemplati...

Dialogue 2: The Special Life 04.04.2022

This is the second dialogue that focuses on the mystical text, The Cloud of Unknowing. In this episode, Jim and Kirsten discuss Session 2 where Jim talks about the second of four phases in The Cloud of Unknowing, the special 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 po...

The Cloud of Unknowing: Session 2 28.03.2022

This is the second 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 Contemplat...

Dialogue 1: The Common Life 21.03.2022

This is the first dialogue that focuses on the mystical text, The Cloud of Unknowing. In this episode, Jim and Kirsten discuss Session 1 where Jim talks about the first of four phases in The Cloud of Unknowing, the common 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 podca...

The Cloud of Unknowing: Session 1 14.03.2022

This is the first 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 Contemplati...

Turning to The Cloud of Unknowing 07.03.2022

Welcome to Season 5 of Turning to the Mystics. In this episode, Kirsten Oates and James Finley are turning to the anonymous mystical text, The Cloud of Unknowing. Throughout this season, we will work with the text and explore the foundations of contemplation practice. Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about Jim, visit jamesfinl...

Guigo II: Listener Questions 20.12.2021

In this episode, Jim and Kirsten answer questions that were submitted by the listeners during the airing of the 4th season around Guigo II, The Ladder of Monks, and how that informs spiritual 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...

Bonus: Childlike Acceptance (An Advent Reflection) 17.12.2021

On this bonus episode, Jim gives a talk on childlike acceptance as a reflection for this Advent season. This was recorded with a live virtual audience. We'll return with our last episode of Season 4 on Monday with Listener Questions that came in during this season. Connect with us: We also produce other podcasts you might enjoy. To learn more about them and our other offerings, visit cac.org This...

A Coaching Session on Lectio 13.12.2021

On this special episode, Jim coaches Kirsten in implementing the Lectio practice that he has been teaching from Guigo II's work on The Ladder of Monks. 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....

Dialogue 3: Mystical Consciousness, The Path of Consistency 06.12.2021

This is the third dialogue that focuses on the mystic, Guigo II. In this episode, Jim and Kirsten discuss Session 3, which covered The Ladder of Monks. 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....

Guigo II: Session 3 29.11.2021

This is the third session that focuses on the mystic, Guigo II. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with a passage from Guigo's The Ladder of Monks, 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 mor...

Dialogue 2: What is Mystical Contemplation? 22.11.2021

This is the second dialogue that focuses on the mystic, Guigo II. In this episode, Jim and Kirsten discuss Session 2, which covered The Ladder of Monks. 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...

Guigo II: Session 2 18.11.2021

This is the second session that focuses on the mystic, Guigo II. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with a passage from Guigo's The Ladder of Monks, 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 mo...

Dialogue 1: What is Lectio, Meditation, and Prayer? 08.11.2021

This is the first dialogue that focuses on the mystic, Guigo II. In this episode, Jim and Kirsten discuss Session 1, which covered The Ladder of Monks. 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....

Guigo II: Session 1 01.11.2021

This is the first session that focuses on the mystic, Guigo II. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with a passage from Guigo's The Ladder of Monks, 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 mor...

Turning to Guigo II 25.10.2021

Welcome to Season 4 of Turning to the Mystics. In this episode, Kirsten Oates and James Finley are turning to Carthusian monk Guigo II to discover the roots of contemplative practice with Guigo's work on The Ladder of Monks. Throughout this season, we will work with the text and explore the foundations of contemplation practice. Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Acti...

Bonus: The Dark Night, Depression and Suffering 19.07.2021

On this bonus episode of Turning to the Mystics, Jim and Kirsten are joined by long-time friend Mirabai Starr to reflect on listener questions about how John of the Cross’ dark night of the soul differs from depression—and how both experiences evolve our understanding of suffering. If you found this episode helpful, consider attending the final Conspire this September. In this interactive online e...

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