Episodes
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...
Published 04/01/24
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...
Published 03/25/24
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...
Published 03/18/24
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...
Published 12/04/23
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...
Published 11/28/23
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...
Published 11/06/23
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. Connect with us: Have a question you'd like Jim or...
Published 10/23/23
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. Connect with us: Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about Mechthild of...
Published 10/16/23
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...
Published 10/09/23
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...
Published 10/02/23
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...
Published 09/25/23
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...
Published 09/18/23
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...
Published 09/11/23
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...
Published 09/05/23
As we close out season 7's mystic, Meister Eckhart, Jim and Kirsten respond to a request by many listeners desiring further resources in engaging and studying the person of Meister Eckhart. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Jim's reading list for Meister Eckhart can be found here.
Published 08/23/23
Welcome to the listener questions series from our sessions on Meister Eckhart. Due to the volume of questions this season, we have decided to make three episodes dedicated to listener questions. This is the third and final episode addressing questions on Meister Eckhart. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Jim's reading list for Meister Eckhart can be found here. Connect with us: This podcast is made possible thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would...
Published 08/14/23
Welcome to the listener questions series from our sessions on Meister Eckhart. Due to the volume of questions this season, we have decided to make three episodes dedicated to listener questions. This is the second of three on Meister Eckhart. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Jim's reading list for Meister Eckhart 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...
Published 08/07/23
Turning to the Mystics has reached its 100th episode! Thanks to all of you for listening and staying engaged with the show, both in practice and in community. Due to the volume of questions this season, we have decided to make three episodes dedicated to listener questions. This is the first of three on Meister Eckhart. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Jim's reading list for Meister Eckhart can be found here. Connect with us: This podcast is made possible...
Published 07/31/23
On this special bonus episode, James Finley and Kirsten Oates interview Rev. Matthew Fox about the life and influence of Meister Eckhart. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here Connect with us: Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about Meister Eckhart? Email us: [email protected] or leave us 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...
Published 06/12/23
In this special episode, Jim and Kirsten review the season by walking the listener through Eckhart's path in a coaching session. To help you participate, we have provided diagrams in the Resource section below. Resources: Blank Diagram: Diagram Jim's Diagrams: Jim's Diagram 1 | Jim's Diagram 2 The transcript for this episode can be found here Connect with us: Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about Meister Eckhart? Email us: [email protected] or leave us...
Published 06/05/23
This is the fourth dialogue that focuses on the mystic Meister Eckhart. In this episode, Jim and Kirsten discuss Session 4, the last session of the season, and Eckhart's theme around surrendering to the ground. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Jim's reading list for Meister Eckhart can be found here. Connect with us: Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about Meister Eckhart? Email us: [email protected] or leave us voicemail. This podcast is...
Published 05/30/23
This is the fourth session that focuses on the mystic Meister Eckhart. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with passages from a few of Meister Eckhart's sermons, reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of these texts, and finishes with a meditative practice. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Jim's reading list for Meister Eckhart can be found here. Connect with us: Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to...
Published 05/22/23
This is the third dialogue that focuses on the mystic Meister Eckhart. In this episode, Jim and Kirsten discuss Session 3 and the theme around Eckhart's path of detachment. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Jim's reading list for Meister Eckhart can be found here. Connect with us: Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about Meister Eckhart? Email us: [email protected] or leave us voicemail. This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity...
Published 05/15/23
This is the third session that focuses on the mystic Meister Eckhart. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with passages from a few of Meister Eckhart's sermons, reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of these texts, and finishes with a meditative practice. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Jim's reading list for Meister Eckhart can be found here. Connect with us: Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to...
Published 05/08/23
This is the second dialogue that focuses on the mystic Meister Eckhart. In this episode, Jim and Kirsten discuss Session 2 and the theme around the hidden ground of God. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Jim's reading list for Meister Eckhart can be found here. Connect with us: Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about Meister Eckhart? Email us: [email protected] or leave us voicemail. This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of...
Published 05/01/23