Sadly, there's no such formula. Like all good and worthy things it requires the slow work of openness, fidelity, and patience. This is the path that leads to the illuminating wisdom of the mystics.
Today I listened to the post. As mentioned in the 4 steps, I “listened for the voice.” For me it was the true voice of Jim, which I didn’t hear. Reading Jim’s words is more meaningful to me than listening to a stranger’s voice reading them in fast mode. There’s something in the cadence and quality of Jim’s voice that calls to me. No offense to the reader. I’m reminded of the words of Jesus: my sheep know my voice.
The concept of trans-subjective communion as the link between mystic and seeker perfectly describes what I had hoped would happen as I was warmed by your writing. Jim, you help us accept our own hunger and humanity. Thank you so much.
Who needs a formula? Especially when one has intention and practice. : ) Thank you, James. "Openness, fidelity and patience." This is beautiful - a comforting and gentle challenge to surrender to love as our way of being, our identity: "The focus being your experiential understanding of yourself in the midst of a graced transformation in which you are learning from God how to let go of and die to your dreaded and cherished illusions that anything less than infinite union with the infinite love of God has the authority to name who you are." Peace be yours. And joyous illumination.
I have noticed that there are certain writings, certain words, that begin to usher us into the place of communion you mention. It is felt in the body - a warm fuzzy feeling, a stretching of the mind, an automatic smile. Maybe it’s just me… but these are the teachings I return to over and over again.
Hi Daniela, he’s fine! He’s been extra busy lately with some travel and finishing up the manuscript for his latest book. The voice you hear is Substack’s default AI reader. Thank you so much for your concern and please know we are working on getting back on schedule! ~Amy
Thanks for the good news, Amy. And: no rush – there are loads of YouTube videos by Jim to watch and plenty of episodes of *Turning to the Mystics* to listen to. We’re well set 😊
My thoughts about the practice of meditation personally:
The way for me to see God is to close my eyes. The way for me to hear God is to be silent and tune out the noise of humans (outside is a good place for me). The way to connect my human heart to God is to look inside me where according to Solomon “God has put eternity in our hearts” . I have listened and thought about everything I’ve read on CAC, and I’m grateful to be able to do so. Thanks to all of you who read, share, and teach, and to all who share their experiences. It has been especially good for me since the loss of my husband 3 years ago after 50 years. I feel blessed.
Could someone help? I am writing in a journal for my first grandchild who recently turned one. The journal prompts questions about what and who I value - in the hopes my grandchild will receive value by my words one day. The question posed, What three people would you love to speak to? I answered (1) Harper Lee ( 2) Truman Capote and (3) James Finley. I could easily tell my grandchild about why I chose Harper Lee and Truman Capote but James Finley I became overwhelmed and unable to concisely articulate my reasoning. Can someone assist? A paragraph that would concisely explain why James Finley is a person we should all converse with.
In my mind came from the book Ordinary Mysticism by Jim's good fried Mirrabai Starr: "My friend James Finley—a living mystic if ever there was one—puts it like this: “If we are absolutely grounded in the absolute love of God that protects us from nothing even as it sustains us in all things, then we can face all things with courage and tenderness and touch the hurting places in others and in ourselves with love.” - a living mystic if there ever was one... Reading this passage in Mirrabai's book was the reason I turned to James Finley and with him to the Mystics...
Today I listened to the post. As mentioned in the 4 steps, I “listened for the voice.” For me it was the true voice of Jim, which I didn’t hear. Reading Jim’s words is more meaningful to me than listening to a stranger’s voice reading them in fast mode. There’s something in the cadence and quality of Jim’s voice that calls to me. No offense to the reader. I’m reminded of the words of Jesus: my sheep know my voice.
The concept of trans-subjective communion as the link between mystic and seeker perfectly describes what I had hoped would happen as I was warmed by your writing. Jim, you help us accept our own hunger and humanity. Thank you so much.
Thank you for being here Rebecca.
Who needs a formula? Especially when one has intention and practice. : ) Thank you, James. "Openness, fidelity and patience." This is beautiful - a comforting and gentle challenge to surrender to love as our way of being, our identity: "The focus being your experiential understanding of yourself in the midst of a graced transformation in which you are learning from God how to let go of and die to your dreaded and cherished illusions that anything less than infinite union with the infinite love of God has the authority to name who you are." Peace be yours. And joyous illumination.
Peace to you Steven.
Thank you for this. You reminded me that my attempts to get to “The” reading of a spiritual text often gets in the way of my experience.
Wise words Eddie, thank you.
I have noticed that there are certain writings, certain words, that begin to usher us into the place of communion you mention. It is felt in the body - a warm fuzzy feeling, a stretching of the mind, an automatic smile. Maybe it’s just me… but these are the teachings I return to over and over again.
Hope Jim's well? No video the last weeks and the text is read by someone else. I'm a bit worried about him...
Hi Daniela, he’s fine! He’s been extra busy lately with some travel and finishing up the manuscript for his latest book. The voice you hear is Substack’s default AI reader. Thank you so much for your concern and please know we are working on getting back on schedule! ~Amy
Thanks for the good news, Amy. And: no rush – there are loads of YouTube videos by Jim to watch and plenty of episodes of *Turning to the Mystics* to listen to. We’re well set 😊
My thoughts about the practice of meditation personally:
The way for me to see God is to close my eyes. The way for me to hear God is to be silent and tune out the noise of humans (outside is a good place for me). The way to connect my human heart to God is to look inside me where according to Solomon “God has put eternity in our hearts” . I have listened and thought about everything I’ve read on CAC, and I’m grateful to be able to do so. Thanks to all of you who read, share, and teach, and to all who share their experiences. It has been especially good for me since the loss of my husband 3 years ago after 50 years. I feel blessed.
Could someone help? I am writing in a journal for my first grandchild who recently turned one. The journal prompts questions about what and who I value - in the hopes my grandchild will receive value by my words one day. The question posed, What three people would you love to speak to? I answered (1) Harper Lee ( 2) Truman Capote and (3) James Finley. I could easily tell my grandchild about why I chose Harper Lee and Truman Capote but James Finley I became overwhelmed and unable to concisely articulate my reasoning. Can someone assist? A paragraph that would concisely explain why James Finley is a person we should all converse with.
In my mind came from the book Ordinary Mysticism by Jim's good fried Mirrabai Starr: "My friend James Finley—a living mystic if ever there was one—puts it like this: “If we are absolutely grounded in the absolute love of God that protects us from nothing even as it sustains us in all things, then we can face all things with courage and tenderness and touch the hurting places in others and in ourselves with love.” - a living mystic if there ever was one... Reading this passage in Mirrabai's book was the reason I turned to James Finley and with him to the Mystics...
Thank you so very much. Hoping my granddaughter will find those words helpful one day.
I am so grateful for Jim’s wisdom, steadying me on the path.