×

By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies and our Privacy Policy.

Tag Archives: James Finley

A Mutual Vulnerability

Wounded Healers A Mutual Vulnerability Wednesday, September 16, 2020 Earlier this year, my colleague and dear friend Jim Finley gave an unpublished talk to Illuman, an organization that supports men in authentic spiritual development. Jim shared some stories from his own life, including how he began to heal from his own childhood abuse and trauma… Continue Reading A Mutual Vulnerability

The Illusion of the Separate Self

True Self/Separate Self The Illusion of the Separate Self Tuesday, September 1, 2020 CAC faculty member James Finley studied under Thomas Merton as a young monk in formation. While many have been influenced by Merton’s writings, few have had the opportunity to learn from the mystic himself. Today, Jim reflects on the insights on the… Continue Reading The Illusion of the Separate Self

A Mirror Image

The Rhineland Mystics A Mirror Image Thursday, August 6, 2020 An image is not of itself, nor is it for itself. It rather springs from the thing whose reflection it is and belongs to it with all its being. It owes nothing to a thing other than that whose image it is; nothing else is… Continue Reading A Mirror Image

Sustained in God’s Love

Wisdom in Times of Crisis Sustained in God’s Love Monday, July 6, 2020 In the light of eternity, we’re here for a very short time, really. We’re here for one thing, ultimately: to learn how to love, because God is love. Love is our origin, love is our ground, and love is our destiny. —James… Continue Reading Sustained in God’s Love

Freedom: An Infinite Possibility of Growth

Inner and Outer Freedom Freedom: An Infinite Possibility of Growth Monday, June 15, 2020 The spirituality of CAC faculty member James Finley has been deeply influenced by the writings of Thomas Merton (1915–1968). In this passage, Jim explores the paradoxical wisdom that true freedom does not come from following our own will but in knowing… Continue Reading Freedom: An Infinite Possibility of Growth

Made for Infinite Love

Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross Made for Infinite Love Thursday, April 23, 2020 Jim Finley, my friend and fellow teacher at the CAC, began studying the mystics at the Abbey of Gethsemani at age eighteen, with Thomas Merton as his novice master. He remembers when he first read this excerpt from the… Continue Reading Made for Infinite Love

Always Listening

Disciples, Prophets, and Mystics Always Listening Sunday, March 15, 2020 Paul writes, “May the mind that is in Christ Jesus also be in you” (Philippians 2:5). This is the truest depth of our Christian tradition, what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus. We are called to recognize, surrender to, and ultimately be… Continue Reading Always Listening

The Peasant’s Alphabet

Action and Contemplation: Part Three The Peasant’s Alphabet
 Friday, January 24, 2020 Abba Poemen (340–450) taught that the right question in all circumstances was “Who am I?” [1] St. Francis of Assisi (1182–1226) would spend whole nights praying “Who are you, my most dear God, and who am I . . . ?” [2] It is through encountering the absolute safety of God that we discover… Continue Reading The Peasant’s Alphabet

A Practical Twofold Process

Action and Contemplation: Part Three A Practical Twofold Process 
 Wednesday, January 22, 2020 As in the early church, the desert Christians were deeply committed to Jesus’ teachings and lived practice. Their chosen solitude and silence were not anti-social but a way to become better at seeing clearly and at loving deeply. Withdrawal was for the sake of… Continue Reading A Practical Twofold Process

Summary: An Evolving Faith: Weekly Summary

Summary: An Evolving Faith Summary: Sunday, December 29, 2019—Friday, January 3, 2020 God keeps creating things from the inside out, so they are forever evolving, yearning, developing, growing, and changing for the good. (Sunday) For me, a true comprehension of the full Christ Mystery is the key to the foundational reform of the Christian religion.… Continue Reading Summary: An Evolving Faith: Weekly Summary

Join our email community

Sign-up to receive the Daily Meditations, featuring reflections on the wisdom and practices of the Christian contemplative tradition.


Hidden Fields

Find out about upcoming courses, registration dates, and new online courses.
Our theme this year is Nothing Stands Alone. What could happen if we embraced the idea of God as relationship—with ourselves, each other, and the world? Meditations are emailed every day of the week, including the Weekly Summary on Saturday. Each week builds on previous topics, but you can join at any time.
In a world of fault lines and fractures, how do we expand our sense of self to include love, healing, and forgiveness—not just for ourselves or those like us, but for all? This monthly email features wisdom and stories from the emerging Christian contemplative movement. Join spiritual seekers from around the world and discover your place in the Great Story Line connecting us all in the One Great Life. Conspirare. Breathe with us.