Julian of Norwich | Season 6 Wrap-Up of “Turning to the Mystics”

What wisdom can the great Christian mystics offer us today? 

In season 6 of “Turning to the Mystics” James Finley and Kirsten Oates turn to 14th-century English mystic Julian of Norwich for spiritual guidance. Throughout this season, James works with Julian’s text, “The Showings,” exploring how we may integrate her wisdom and teachings into our modern lives. 

Highlights from “Turning to the Mystics” Season 6 

Julian of Norwich, a contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer, was an English anchoress in East Anglia. At the age of 30, suffering from a severe illness and believing she was on her deathbed, Julian had a series of intense visions of Jesus, which she recorded and then expanded on later in her life. In her visions, God was not angry and wrathful. Instead, the three properties of God were presented as life, love, and light, and all of His creation was good, including his servant, man. In Julian’s version, man is not to blame for his sin; sin is something that he must experience and overcome in his spiritual journey with God. 

Offering a modern take on the contemplative practices of Christian mystics, “Turning to the Mystics” is a podcast for people searching for something more meaningful, intimate, and richly present in the divine gift of their lives.  

We invite you to listen to each episode in season 6: 

• Turning to Julian of Norwich — Mirabai Starr, translator of “The Showings,” discusses Julian of Norwich’s life and how Julian’s teachings can transform our lives. 
• Julian of Norwich: Session 1 — Practice Lectio Divina and meditation with this episode. 
• Dialogue 1: Chapter 10, The Long Text — In this episode, James and Kirsten explore Chapter 10 from “The Long Text.” 
• Julian of Norwich: Session 2 — James Finley reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of the text in “The Showings.” 
• Dialogue 2: Chapter 10, The Long Text — This is the second dialogue that focuses on the mystic, Julian of Norwich. 
• Julian of Norwich: Session 3 — In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley explores Chapter 5 of “The Showings.” 
• Dialogue 3: Chapter 5 — James Finley guides us through this season’s final dialogue episode. 
• Julian of Norwich: Listener Questions — James and Kirsten answer questions submitted by the listeners. 

Transcripts are available for each episode.  

A “Turning to the Mystics” Listener Story 

We always love to hear from our CAC community members, who offer insights into how contemplative wisdom has deepened and expanded their spiritual lives. While season 6 was airing, we received a message from a listener named Barry who shared how James Finley has helped on his healing journey: 

“I found James Finley’s contemplative talk on audible expounding on the sermons of Meister Eckhart. His dulcet tones and relaxed manner of presenting gently lulled me into a beautiful encounter with the infinite generosity of God. I’ve been tuned into James Finley’s ‘Turning to the Mystics,’ podcast ever since.”  

Barry continues, “I am blossoming into the realization that God is there always in my life despite the obstacles that arise throughout and if I drop below to the ocean floor, as Julian of Norwich explained in today’s podcast, I feel the presence of God ever more deeply and know that all the fears and tribulations on the surface must return to stillness again. James Finley has been a big piece in my spiritual puzzle of being self-realized through knowing God deeper and in cultivating my stillness.”  

Have you also been impacted by “Turning to the Mystics”? 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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