James Finley is a deep well of knowledge and understanding of the mystic tradition that has been largely overlooked by fundamentalist, institutional Christianity. I find his gentle, well informed voice a welcome tonic to the ego driven ideologues that have amped up ignorance and hatred and for too long have gone unchecked.

Thank you Jim and Kirsten, this podcast is a lifesaver.

...of interviewing Father Ronald Rolheiser for this series on The Mystics? Would the CAC consider a podcast or webinar on the great mystic poets i. e.,Blake, Rumi ,Whitman, Hopkins and so on. Probably all poetry is mystical and all mystics are poets. Poetry can oft times bypass the intellect which is not such a bad thing when trying to access the Elusive and Infinite. I wrote the above review a while back and am delighted that you will be exploring and discussing Eliot. For those interested in Eliot, there is superb series of24 lectures on him given by Victor Stronberg who teaches at Duke University. They can be found on YouTube. I’m also wondering if you would consider a few episodes on Flannery O’Connor and Graham Greene ? Two of the great Catholic thinkers and writers.

I’ve been listening to this podcast for the last couple of years / have listened to each episode at least two or three times - and found this extremely illuminating and helpful for my contemplative practice. It’s rare to find a true expert who has actually experienced these profound states and who can therefore provide genuine practical guidance on such matters. While James Finley humbly quotes Thomas Merton as saying ‘we are all just beginners’”, Dr Finley is about as good as it gets in this life. Such a service to us all - thank you Dr Finley and Ms Oates for making these profound teachings so accessible to the rest of us. I am deeply and will be forever grateful.

The wave cry, the wind cry…. Of the petrel and the porpoise.. (Petrol is oil) I am deeply grateful to both of you for this amazing podcast, I have followed since day one! You are such a blessing.

My heart is grateful for the fullness of this podcast message in “Four Quartets”…consciousness needing time to reflect eternity and the depth of letting go to the perfection of timeless unknowing and living as that which looks for the formless eternal in all the tattered patterns of this grace-filled attachments that are transcended through itself.🙏

This podcast has truly changed my life, and continues to.

This work feeds my soul in a deep and healing way. I often listen during my morning walks and go about with such an effusive grin, I wonder what the passerbys must think. Other times I listen and unexplained tears flow. My soul is being touched and that is quite a feat given that I have been thickly layered with protection since childhood. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

What a beautiful gift you have given us. This work has touched me deeply.

Incredibly insightful and for those wrestling with uncertainty and doubt, this is a beautiful way to deepen one’s faith, deepen one’s relationship with the Divine Presence, and learn to embrace the uncertainties of life. This podcast has been transformative.

James Finley opens a treasure trove of wisdom and spreads it before us for free. It is a beautiful offering and one that I am profoundly grateful for.

This is an incredible show that always reminds me to return to my source. I would like to suggest the show The Tao of Christ for anyone who enjoyed the Way of the Pilgrim reflection. The host Marshall Davis retells the Way of the Pilgrim in English through the lens of non-duality. That series and all of his other podcasts are filled with the same light.

James Finley shares his wisdom on the Christian mystics. His insights are based on many years of prayer and study.

and full of wisdom for how to approach prayer and reflection. This is a wonderful, creative use of the podcast format to help people from all over develop their relationship with God.

This guy talks in circles. He doesn’t have the answers. He tries though. Read the Bible it will have all the answers.

After experiencing a few of Jim’s mini-sermons via CAC, and also being drawn to mystical paths in the Christian lineage (and Lectio Divina), I found this podcast to be a wealth of inspiration. I have only been able to do John of the Cross in real-time but will go back to Theresa of Avila and look forward to more! Since I’ve always been inspired by Merton’s words it’s great to be guided by one who actually studied with him.

The mystical tradition goes to the heart of authentic Christianity. It beckons us into the heart of a relationship with the Holy One. Jim is truly immersed in this tradition and relationship. These podcasts have been a salve and blessing and opened my heart.

I have found someone who knows. May God guide you and keep you. Merci beaucoup Angella

Jim Finley is amazing and these podcasts started awesome and continue to get even better. I could listen to Jim read and reflect forever. This is one of my heavenly dwellings. The latest episode is the best ever. Hearing the beautiful words of the mystic interwoven with Jim’s reflections is balm for my soul. In a beautiful way this intimate sharing reminds me of the AA Big Book study meetings I love, where AA literature is read and then reflected on in an intimate way. Maureen is listening too. In AA the saying goes “she is at the big AA meeting in the sky.” Amen. So be it.

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This podcast is brilliant and offers spiritual nourishment for everyone regardless of their religious beliefs. It is rich with wisdom and soothing to my soul. Thank you for creating it!

James Finley’s poetic way of sharing the mystics he has studied over time is a profound gift. A true, true Gift. I am deeply grateful. Sandra Berkeley CA

Discovering the Christian Mystics through this podcast has rescued my faith, which was floundering among “the church” that often misrepresents Christ. Jim Finley’s voice is so very soothing and his perspective so grounded and yet enlightened… I’ve come to depend on these recordings and teachings for my spiritual and personal growth.

As discussed in St Teresa of Avila’s mansions of the soul, these sessions have taken me to another level of spirituality beyond daily prayer and meditation. The insight of the teachings of St Teresa, Thomas Merton and Julian of Norwich (the only sessions of which I have listened to so far) have increased my thirst for a more unified relationship with God and others. The dialogue between Jim and Kristen has been extremely helpful in exposing questions that I have of the material presented and is also very human (the lawn blower episode St Teresa). The slow unpacking of very dense spiritual material is done with a manner that one can easily digest and meditate on.

I’m so thankful for this podcast. The hosts ooze wisdom, peace, and compassion as they honor the wisdom of the mystics. I find I am most drawn to their voices when I am having anxious energy- I feel grounded and have much to redirect my thoughts towards after listening.

This podcast has been so beautifully healing and calming I would recommend it to anyone willing to slow down and listen🙏

This podcast is so rich and full of wisdom. It brings light and hope to the lost and hopeless. The mystics, as described here, are willing to dwell in the unknown and yet simultaneously have definitive trust in their relationship with God.

I have loved learning about the mystics through this podcast!

“I think vinpocetine is popular just because the periwinkle flower it comes from is so beautiful. Go and look it up. The bloom from the flower really is a brilliantly beautiful flower. It looks frickin’ great. And I think that a lot of people are just seeing this periwinkle flower and saying “wow that’s a beautiful flower. It must be producing something that’s good for me.”” This is a waste of time. Where are study source citations?

This podcast is deep and profound. Life changing!

Always deep and beautiful.

I LOVE this podcast. This is my favorite podcast. The way James speaks is truly psychedelic. Thank you so much for this podcast!!!

the readings and the dialogue are an excellent combo

This podcast is a breath of fresh air. If the teacher will appear when the student is ready, you showed up at just the right time and it is just the right stretch for me.

These explorations deepen (a) my appreciation for reflections from master-teachers of my faith tradition and (b) my options for applying their perspectives to make sense of the world I face. Please pray for my inconsistency in accessing them.

These podcast conversations are such a gift to treasure. They rekindle the fire of desire to “see” God in every moment …every breath. If it were possible to embrace the hosts I would. Clearly, knowing them as fellow travelers, I am grateful for their sharing and shedding light on this life journey to discover our true meaning which is found in “intimately knowing” God. Their reflections encourage me to keep on returning, seeking and trusting even when I have been befuddled by the world’s whirlwinds and mired in my own ways. Thank you. All blessings, Judith

Dear Jim and Mirabai. Thank you for sharing Julian with the world! I was beyond excited to see Julian’s thought as the central theme in this series. She is one of my best friends, and my favorite Church mystic. I believe her voice is deeply needed in our hurting modern world. Mirabai - your translation is also my favorite translation of “Shewings” and I recommend it often. May God continue to bless both of you! In Christ - Carolyn Berghuis. .

I couldn't get past the style of the gentleman guide to listen past a couple minutes. I tried several times.

Having someone like Jim to listen to is so helpful. Such a difficult task to articulate the extremely subtle and delicate world of God with us and the process and experience of this journey. For me, Jim is so good at this and though his comments can be so particular and focused like separating “bone and morrow” their laser focus tell me Jim is describing something he has seen and experienced, not something theoretical. This gives me confidence in his guidance. Thank you Jim.

Its good to listen in and pick up insights on the saints and mystics. I’ve listened on and off for a while now but every time a I take in an episode I walk away more enlightened. Mystical experiences are not easy to explain or describe to the extent that the teller is satisfied with the description of what they experienced but when one hears James Finley describe those moments it helps one to recollect - he’s very good at relating those moments. Anyway, it’s wonderful to see God experienced so intimately!

I feel so blessed to find this podcast. Long story short, today is Thursday, March 3rd, 2022 day after Ash Wednesday. My religion growing up is Catholic but I have learned so much from the Mystic Teachers. In researching Lectio Davina's practice, to deepen my relationship with God, I listened to the session on Lectio Davina and went back to listen to the very 1st episode to binge-listen. I am so grateful to you James and Kristen for being so vulnerable and willing to share so much wisdom. I relate to both of your stories. I'm listening from California and I can not express my gratitude enough for this Podcast.

Thank you, Jim and Kirsten, for this lovely gift. I love starting my days with you.

So informative and helpful along the spiritual journey. Jim is extraordinary with his explanations, interpretations and experiences! Kirstin does a fantastic job of asking practical questions so the layperson can really understand. Jim Finley is no doubt a mystic in his own right. Great pair. Wow - THANK YOU!!

What a gift to be the presence of Jim as he offers lectio. The dialogue is always enlightening. I am so grateful for this podcast.

I am so deeply grateful for the beauty of this podcast. I feel strengthened and encouraged. It is like finding an oasis in the desert. Thank you.

Bonus episode this Advent as if has been all throughout dedicated to me.

Thank you Dr Finley for these deeply moving meditations, you are a true spiritual healer, and thank you for being a living witness to the fruit that is born when we are faithful to contemplative path.

Thank You, Dr Finley! What a helpful and and thoughtful Podcast.

In the quiet places of ourselves we often find the answers. Jim Finley has explored these regions in himself for a lifetime and through this series he gives the listener a taste of what such quiet really signifies. He is a guide to the inner world and his lens is beautifully shared with us through his expositions of important mystics like Merton, St Theresa of Avila and St John of the Cross. I am mesmerized and “still” in the presence of this podcast.

This podcast is profound in its wisdom. It is a thing of beauty. It could save us all. Thank you CAC and James Finley. Blessings to all who are a part of its production and audience. It is radiant.