St. Teresa of Ávila | Season 2 Wrap-Up of “Turning to the Mystics”
In Season 2 of Turning to the Mystics, James Finley and Kirsten Oates turn to 16th-century Spanish mystic St. Teresa of Ávila for spiritual guidance, exploring timeless wisdom from her book, The Interior Castle. In this book, Teresa describes a luminous crystal castle composed of seven “mansions.” We invite you to journey through the seven mansions she described.
While James Finley briefly explores the first three mansions, his primary emphasis is on mansions 4-7, where Teresa reveals the mystical dimensions of prayer and spirituality.
“We awaken to our God-given Godly nature as we awaken to the mystery.”
—James Finley, Turning to the Mystics, Season 2
Highlights from “Turning to the Mystics” Season 2
This season, James Finley unpacks the seven mansions of Teresa of Ávila’s The Interior Castle.
Teresa’s story inspires us to hold on to courage in troubled times. For most of her life, she was plagued by pain and illness — from frequent fevers to a three-year paralysis. Through this, Teresa learned how to let go of her own will and trust in God, writing that God gives no one more troubles than we are able to bear.
Each episode in Season 2 includes a reading and reflection from one of Teresa’s texts, concluding with a meditation and prayer. Here’s a breakdown of the full season:
- Teresa of Ávila: Session 1 — This is the first session that focuses on the mystic Teresa of Ávila.
- Teresa of Ávila: Session 2 — James Finley practices Lectio Divina with a passage from the second mansion of Teresa’s The Interior Castle.
- Dialogue: The First Mansion — Explore the first mansion of Teresa of Ávila’s The Interior Castle and its path for spiritual transformation.
- Dialogue: The Second Mansion — Enter into the first mansion of Teresa of Ávila’s The Interior Castle.and explore its path for spiritual transformation.
- Teresa of Ávila: Session 3 — Reflect on the qualitative essence of the spirit of The Interior Castle.
- Dialogue: The Fourth Mansion — James and Kirsten discuss a version of The Interior Castle. translated by Mirabai Starr.
- Teresa of Ávila: Session 4 — This episode features a meditation practice guided by James Finley.
- Dialogue: The Fifth Mansion — James and Kirsten dialogue about the fifth mansion of Teresa of Ávila’s The Interior Castle.
- Bonus: The Life and Work of Teresa of Ávila — Guest Mirabai Starr joins this episode to discuss what Teresa’s life means for us today.
- Teresa of Ávila: Session 5 — In the tenor of Lectio Divina, James begins with a passage from the sixth mansion of Teresa’s The Interior Castle.
- Teresa of Ávila: Session 6 — Reflect on the qualitative essence of “The Interior Castle” and practice meditation.
- Bonus: Richard Rohr on Turning to Teresa of Ávila — Guest Richard Rohr shares how he discovered Teresa and what her work means for us today.
- Dialogue: The Sixth and Seventh Mansions (Part 1) — Discover the sixth and seventh mansions in the The Interior Castle.
- Dialogue: The Sixth and Seventh Mansions (Part 2) — Learn how Teresa’s wisdom can guide spiritual transformation.
- Teresa of Ávila: Listener Questions (Part 1) — James and Kirsten answer questions that were submitted by the listeners.
- Teresa of Ávila: Listener Questions (Part 2) — Explore more questions submitted by the listeners during this second season.
- Bonus: Grounding Meditation for the Election — Our hosts offer a 10-minute grounding meditation to help nourish us in times of stress.
- Bonus: The Gift (A Meditation on Advent) — In this bonus episode, James Finley offers an Advent meditation on the gift of God in our lives.
“With patience, all things are possible. Whoever has God lacks nothing. God alone is enough.”
—St. Teresa of Ávila, Turning to the Mystics, Season 2
A “Turning to the Mystics” Listener Story
While Season 2 was airing, we were so honored to receive feedback from a CAC community member named Sonia, who had a very deep personal connection with Teresa of Ávila. Here’s some of what she shared with us:
“Once I met her, I found it impossible not to fall in love with Teresa. This 16th-century woman was light years ahead of her times. She was a powerful woman in a world of men — a reformer, founder of convents, author, and contemplative. She embodied contradiction, a petite woman who was larger than life, who possessed a zest for life and laughter that made her invincible in the face of adversity.
Yet, what most impressed me about Teresa was her love of Jesus and her intimate relationship with him. Teresa experienced mystical visions and communed with Jesus in ways I could only dream of.”
Have the mystics like Teresa of Ávila also inspired you and your commune with Jesus? We would love to hear from you!
On every season of Turning to the Mystics, we embark on in-depth explorations of the teachings of one unique mystic, and new episodes are coming soon!
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