Meister Eckhart | Season 7 Wrap-Up of “Turning to the Mystics”
How do you access the innermost chambers of your heart?
In season 7 of “Turning to the Mystics” James Finley and Kirsten Oates turn to 15th-century German mystic Meister Eckhart for spiritual guidance. Throughout this season, James works with Eckhart’s sermons, discovering how one might integrate his mysticism and teachings into our daily lives.
“Meister Eckhart would say we’re attached to an idealized sense of self. And we get discouraged because we can’t live up to it.”
—James Finley, “Turning to the Mystics,” Season 7
A “Turning to the Mystics” Listener Story
It’s always an honor to hear from our CAC community members, who offer insights about applying contemplative wisdom to their own journey. While season 7 was airing, we received a message from a listener named Denise who shared how Meister Eckhart’s teachings can prove highly relevant in our modern world:
“As an Enneagram One, I have always had a strong sense of right and wrong, good and bad.
When I found out that a church I loved didn’t accept LGBTQ+ people, I was crushed and didn’t want to be a part of it anymore. Then, I found out that another congregation I loved didn’t believe that women should be in leadership, and I didn’t want anything to do with that church either. There have been so many times in my life when I have wanted to cancel a person or organization once I found out their principles were not mine.
But recently, I’ve been listening to James Finley‘s teachings on Meister Eckhart. I’m working on letting go of the categories that we put people in, and instead, seeing past the image to the reality.
I have found myself beginning to be able to love and accept people and organizations as they are, recognizing that we all have both good and bad within us. I suddenly find my heart softening towards all people, including myself.”
“Sorrow does not have the authority to name who you are and what’s possible for you. Only the infinite Love of God has that authority.”
—James Finley, “Turning to the Mystics,” season 8
Highlights from “Turning to the Mystics” Season 7
James Finley explores the wisdom of Meister Eckhart, a spiritual teacher who offers us clues for cultivating a spiritual life that doesn’t turn its back on the messiness of the world.
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.
- Turning to Meister Eckhart — We turn to 15th-century German mystic Meister Eckhart for spiritual guidance.
- Meister Eckhart: Session 1 — Using Lectio Divina, James Finley explores passages from Meister Eckhart’s sermons.
- Dialogue 1: The Mystery of the “I Don’t Know” — In this episode, James and Kirsten discuss Session 1.
- Meister Eckhart: Session 2 — This is the second session that focuses on the mystic Meister Eckhart.
- Dialogue 2: The Hidden Ground of God — Our hosts discuss the theme around the hidden ground of God.
- Meister Eckhart: Session 3 — Explore the theme around Eckhart’s path of detachment.
- Dialogue 3: Eckhart’s Path of Detachment — This is the third dialogue that focuses on the mystic Meister Eckhart.
- Meister Eckhart: Session 4 — This episode features a Lectio Divina practice and finishes with a guided meditation.
- Dialogue 4: Surrendering to the Ground — In the final session of the season, unpack Eckhart’s theme of surrendering to the ground.
- A Coaching Session on Eckhart’s Path — In this special coaching session, James and Kirsten walk listeners through Eckhart’s path.
- Bonus: Meister Eckhart’s Life and Influence with Rev. Matthew Fox — Theologian Matthew Fox helped rediscover the pre-modern mystics and prophets.
- Meister Eckhart: Listener Questions (Part 1) — This is the first of three episodes dedicated to listener questions.
- Meister Eckhart: Listener Questions (Part 2) — James and Kirsten explore more listener questions from Season 7.
- Listener Questions: Meister Eckhart (Part 3) — This final listener questions episode goes deeper into our sessions on Meister Eckhart.
- Bonus: Meister Eckhart Resources — James and Kirsten offer further resources in engaging and studying the person of Meister Eckhart.
Transcripts are available for each episode.
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!
We hope you’ll subscribe on your favorite podcast player or explore our “Turning to the Mystics” playlist on YouTube.