Program & Replays
Finding Our Way Along the Healing Path: The Lineage of Thomas Merton
James Finley, PhD, shares why he is grateful for having had Thomas Merton as his guide in contemplative living and mystical traditions, including the healing energies released in mystical awakening that inspire us to be a healing presence in the world. Finley discusses Merton's insights about the true self, and the underlying unity of the mystical traditions. Finley also shares wisdom from his own mystical awakenings, as written lyrically in his teaching memoir to be published in 2023 by Orbis.
In this session, you’ll discover:
- How to discern fleeting glimpses of mystical awakening that occur in all areas of our daily lives
- Ways to recognize and cultivate the stance that offers the least resistance to being overtaken by mystical oneness with God
- How to translate mystical awakenings and desires into the compassionate ways we treat ourselves, others, and Mother Earth
James Finley, PhD
James Finley, PhD, lived as a monk for nearly six years at the Trappist monastery of the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, where Thomas Merton was his spiritual director. He then became a clinical psychologist, working primarily with adult survivors of trauma who wanted their spirituality to be a resource in their healing. For nearly thirty years he's led weekend contemplative retreats in the United States and Canada. Author of Merton's Palace of Nowhere... The Contemplative Heart... Christian Meditation... and several audio-video sets including Following the Mystics Through the Narrow Gate... Jesus and Buddha... Merton's Path to the Palace of Nowhere... and Meister Eckhart's Living Wisdom: Indestructible Joy and the Path of Letting Go. In his role as a teacher at the Center for Action and Contemplation founded by Father Richard Rohr, he is host of the podcast Turning to the Mystics. His new book The Healing Path: A Memoir and an Invitation has recently been released.
