Best The School for Contemplative Living Podcasts (2025)

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Gabriel Marcel: Listener Questions 1:20:49

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1M ago1:20:49

1:20:49

In this episode, Kirsten and Jim answer listener questions from Season 11, focusing on the teachings of Gabriel Marcel. Resources: The transcript for this episode 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 work of the Center for Action and Contem…

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A Coaching Session on Gabriel Marcel 1:04:52

1M ago1:04:52

1:04:52

In this special episode, Jim and Kirsten review the season and offer a way for us to turn to Gabriel Marcel for guidance on our own spiritual path. Resource Section: A transcript for this episode can be found here. A link to the Oneing article Kirsten mentions can be found here. An information sheet on Lectio practice can be found ⁠here⁠. The book …

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Bonus: Greg Sadler on Gabriel Marcel 59:07

2M ago59:07

59:07

On this special bonus episode, James Finley and Kirsten Oates interview Greg Sadler about the philosophy of Gabriel Marcel, with special attention paid to Marcel's ideas on fidelity, hope, and love. Greg Sadler is the president of ReasonIO, associate editor of Stoicism Today, an APPA-certified philosophical counselor, an adjunct professor at Milwau…

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Dialogue 4: Love 56:39

2M ago56:39

56:39

In this fourth dialogue session Jim and Kirsten focus on the theme of Love within the thoughts and teachings of Gabriel Marcel. Resources: 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 you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about this season? Email us: ⁠…

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Gabriel Marcel: Session 4 34:14

2M ago34:14

34:14

This is the fourth session that focuses on the philosophy of Gabriel Marcel. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley reads passages from Kenneth T. Gallagher's The Philosophy of Gabriel Marcel, reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of this text, and finishes with a meditative practice. Resources: Turning to t…

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Dialogue 3: Hope 1:03:07

2M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

In this third dialogue session Jim and Kirsten focus on the theme of Hope within the thoughts and teachings of Gabriel Marcel. Resources: 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 you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about this season? Email us: podcas…

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Gabriel Marcel: Session 3 34:52

2M ago34:52

34:52

This is the third session that focuses on the philosophy of Gabriel Marcel. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley reads passages from Kenneth T. Gallagher's The Philosophy of Gabriel Marcel, reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of this text, and finishes with a meditative practice. Resources: Turning to th…

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Dialogue 2: Fidelity 1:00:02

3M ago1:00:02

1:00:02

In this second dialogue session Jim and Kirsten focus on the theme of Fidelity within the thoughts and teachings of Gabriel Marcel. Resources: 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 you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about this season? Email us: p…

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Gabriel Marcel: Session 2 33:31

3M ago33:31

33:31

This is the second session that focuses on the philosophy of Gabriel Marcel. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley reads passages from Kenneth T. Gallagher's The Philosophy of Gabriel Marcel, reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of this text, and finishes with a meditative practice. Resources: Turning to t…

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Dialogue 1: Core Themes 55:50

3M ago55:50

55:50

In this first dialogue session Jim and Kirsten focus on core themes from Gabriel Marcel. 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 here. The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book we will be using this season can be found he…

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Gabriel Marcel: Session 1 31:38

3M ago31:38

31:38

This is the first session that focuses on philosopher Gabriel Marcel. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley reads passages from Kenneth T. Gallagher's work, The Philosophy of Gabriel Marcel, reflects on core themes from Marcel, and finishes with a meditative practice. Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by t…

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Turning to Gabriel Marcel 44:02

4M ago44:02

44:02

Welcome to Season 11 of Turning to the Mystics. This season we are turning to philosopher Gabriel Marcel for spiritual guidance. In this episode, James Finley and Kirsten Oates cover the life and person of Marcel and discuss how we can work with his ideas to transform our lives. Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Actio…

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Coming Soon: Turning to Gabriel Marcel 2:52

4M ago2:52

2:52

Season 11 of Turning to the Mystics will continue with our next mystic, Gabriel Marcel. Our journey begins on March 17, 2025. Resources: Pick up a copy ofThe Philosophy of Gabriel Marcel by Kenneth T. Gallagher: here Connect with us: Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about this season? Email us: [email protected] Send us a voicemai…

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T.S. Eliot: Listener Questions (Part Two) 42:16

7M ago42:16

42:16

In this episode, Kirsten and Jim answer listener questions from Season 10, focusing on the teachings of T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets. Resources: The transcript for this episode 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 work of the Center for Actio…

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T.S. Eliot: Listener Questions (Part One) 41:52

7M ago41:52

41:52

In this episode, Kirsten and Jim answer listener questions from Season 10, focusing on the teachings of T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets. Resources: The transcript for this episode 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 work of the Center for Actio…

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BONUS: Stories of Pilgrimage 53:35

7M ago53:35

53:35

In this very special episode, our listeners share their stories of pilgrimage as Jim and Kirsten relate each story to a specific theme found in The Way of a Pilgrim. Resource Section: A transcript for this episode 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 …

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A Coaching Session on Four Quartets 1:02:20

7M ago1:02:20

1:02:20

In this special episode, Jim and Kirsten review the season and offer a way for us to turn to T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets for guidance on our own spiritual path. Resource Section: A transcript for this episode can be found here. A transcript of the meditation within this episode is accessible here. An information sheet on Lectio practice can be found…

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Bonus: Malcolm Guite on T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets (Part 2) 43:59

8M ago43:59

43:59

On the second half of our special bonus episode, James Finley and Kirsten Oates continue their conversation with Malcolm Guite. The group briefly discusses the third of of T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets, The Dry Salvages, before diving into the grand finale, Little Gidding. Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Con…

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Bonus: Malcolm Guite on T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets (Part 1) 48:56

8M ago48:56

48:56

On this special bonus episode, James Finley and Kirsten Oates interview Malcolm Guite about the nature of poetry to speak to directly to the heart, as it attempts to give shape and form to the ineffable. They also discuss the first two of T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets, providing additional depth and insight into Eliot's use of pattern, exploration of …

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Dialogue 4: Little Gidding 1:09:44

8M ago1:09:44

1:09:44

In this fourth dialogue session Jim and Kirsten focus on quartet four, Little Gidding. 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 here. The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book we will be using this season can be found here…

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T.S. Eliot: Session 4 49:52

8M ago49:52

49:52

This is the fourth session that focuses on the poet T.S. Eliot and his work, Four Quartets. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with passages from Four Quartets, reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of this text, and finishes with a meditative practice. Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podca…

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Dialogue 3: The Dry Salvages 1:01:43

9M ago1:01:43

1:01:43

In this third dialogue session Jim and Kirsten focus on quartet three, The Dry Salvages. 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 here. The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book we will be using this season can be found he…

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T.S. Eliot: Session 3 46:55

9M ago46:55

46:55

This is the third session that focuses on the poet T.S. Eliot and his work, Four Quartets. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with passages from Four Quartets, reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of this text, and finishes with a meditative practice. Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcas…

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Dialogue 2: East Coker 1:07:14

9M ago1:07:14

1:07:14

In this second dialogue session Jim and Kirsten focus on quartet two, East Coker. 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 here. The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book we will be using this season can be found here. A f…

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T.S. Eliot: Session 2 53:24

9M ago53:24

53:24

This is the second session that focuses on the poet T.S. Eliot and his work, Four Quartets. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with passages from Four Quartets, reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of this text, and finishes with a meditative practice. Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podca…

1
Dialogue 1: Burnt Norton 59:51

9M ago59:51

59:51

In this first dialogue session Jim and Kirsten focus on quartet one, Burnt Norton. 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 here. The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book we will be using this season can be found here. A …

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T.S. Eliot: Session 1 43:44

10M ago43:44

43:44

This is the first session that focuses on the poet T.S. Eliot and his work, Four Quartets. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley begins with passages from Four Quartets, reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of this text, and finishes with a meditative practice. Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcas…

1
Turning to T.S. Eliot 42:08

10M ago42:08

42:08

Welcome to Season 10 of Turning to the Mystics. This season we are turning to T.S. Eliot for spiritual guidance. In this episode, James Finley and Kirsten Oates cover the life and person of T.S. Eliot and discuss how we can work with his poetry to transform our lives. Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Conte…

1
Coming Soon: Turning to T.S. Eliot 5:13

11M ago5:13

5:13

Season 10 of Turning to the Mystics will continue with our next mystic, T.S. Eliot. Our journey begins on September 9th, 2024.By Center for Action and Contemplation

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A Way of a Pilgrim: Listener Questions 1:33:42

11M ago1:33:42

1:33:42

In this episode, Kirsten and Jim answer listener questions from Season 9, focusing on the teachings of the Way of a Pilgrim. Resources: The transcript for this episode 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 work of the Center for Action and C…

1
A Coaching Session on the Way of a Pilgrim 46:13

1y ago46:13

46:13

In this special episode, Jim and Kirsten review the season and offer a way for us to turn to the Jesus Prayer and the Way of a Pilgrim for guidance on our own spiritual path. Resource Section: A transcript for this episode can be found here. A video to the meditation within this episode can be accessible here. The book we will be using this season,…

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Dialogue 6: The Prayer in Ordinary Life 1:09:15

1y ago1:09:15

1:09:15

This is the sixth 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. T…

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The Way of a Pilgrim: Session 6 50:25

1y ago50:25

50:25

This is the sixth 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 Mystic…

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Dialogue 5: The Realm of the Heart 1:06:31

1y ago1:06:31

1:06:31

This is the fifth 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. T…

1
The Way of a Pilgrim: Session 5 38:09

1y ago38:09

38:09

This is the fifth 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 Mystic…

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Dialogue 4: The Prayer Takes Hold 48:19

1y ago48:19

48:19

This is the fourth 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. …

1
The Way of a Pilgrim: Session 4 35:12

1y ago35:12

35:12

This is the fourth 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 Mysti…

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Dialogue 3: The Pilgrim Learns to Pray 1:07:11

1y ago1:07:11

1:07:11

This is the third 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. T…

1
The Way of a Pilgrim: Session 3 43:50

1y ago43:50

43:50

This is the third 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 Mystic…

1
Dialogue 2: The Teacher Arrives 59:39

1y ago59:39

59:39

This is the second 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. …

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The Way of a Pilgrim: Session 2 44:49

1y ago44:49

44:49

This is the second 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 Mysti…

1
Dialogue 1: The Journey Begins 52:11

1+ y ago52:11

52:11

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. T…

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The Way of a Pilgrim: Session 1 43:54

1+ y ago43:54

43:54

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 Mystic…

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Turning to The Way of a Pilgrim 40:59

1+ y ago40:59

40:59

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…

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Mechthild of Magdeburg: Listener Questions (Part 2) 1:02:41

1+ y ago1:02:41

1:02:41

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 Mech…

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Mechthild of Magdeburg: Listener Questions (Part 1) 56:55

1+ y ago56:55

56:55

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 Tu…

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Bonus: Bernard McGinn on Mechthild, Eckhart, and Mysticism 1:09:03

1+ y ago1:09:03

1:09:03

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…

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Coaching Session: May God Bind Us All 36:00

1+ y ago36:00

36:00

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…

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Dialogue 3: A Love That Binds 1:12:12

1+ y ago1:12:12

1:12:12

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,…

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Mechthild of Magdeburg: Session 3 45:53

1+ y ago45:53

45:53

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. R…

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