562. James Finley

Posted on August 4, 2020 by Rick Archer

As a contemplative practitioner and clinical psychologist, James Finley helps seekers who desire to live a contemplative, whole life. Drawing from his experience as a former monk and spiritual directee of Thomas Merton, Jim offers trustworthy guidance for the spiritual journey through his website, online courses, occasional retreats, and the Center for Action and Contemplation where he serves as a core faculty member of The Living School for Action and Contemplation with Cynthia Bourgeault and Richard Rohr. Jim is the author of several books, including:

James’s podcast, Turning to the Mystics is for people searching for something more meaningful, intimate, and richly present in the divine gift of their lives. A clinical psychologist, James offers a modern take on the historical contemplative practices of Christian mystics like Teresa of Avila and Thomas Merton. Leaning into their experiences can become a gateway to hope, healing, and oneness. In each episode, Jim reads an excerpt from a mystical text, unpacks the meaning and symbolism, and then concludes with meditation and prayer. Together with Kirsten Oates from the Center for Action and Contemplation, they explore listener questions and examine their own paths as modern contemplatives in this beautiful and broken world.

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Transcript of this interview.

Interview recorded August 1, 2020.

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
00:04:41 – Thomas Merton: A Contemplative Life
00:09:00 – The Solitude of Thomas Merton
00:12:26 – Leaving the Monastery: Trauma and Abuse
00:15:25 – Unitive Experiences and Fragility in Spiritual Traditions
00:19:26 – Ascending to Higher States of Consciousness
00:22:53 – The Brokenness Within Oneself
00:26:45 – Abusive Relationships and Healing Processes
00:30:41 – Mystics and Enlightenment in Christianity
00:34:56 – Different Perspectives on Religion and Mysticism
00:38:44 – Awakening and the Path of Transformation
00:42:42 – The Endless Nature of Mysticism
00:46:53 – The Center for Action and Contemplation
00:50:28 – Finding a Healthy Balance
00:54:00 – God’s Transcendence and Presence
00:58:32 – The Ocean of Reality and the Religious Experience
01:02:12 – The Play and Display of Divine Intelligence
01:09:28 – The Deathless Beauty of the Beloved
01:13:27 – The Unexpected Nearness of God
01:17:21 – Respecting the Physiology and the Path to Awakening
01:20:49 – The Asceticism of Dying and Letting Go
01:24:37 – Understanding the Crucifixion and Resurrection
01:28:46 – The Mystery of Faith and Resurrection
01:32:24 – The Mystery of the Trinity and God’s Self-Expression
01:36:12 – Mystical Consciousness
01:40:05 – Sensitizing ourselves to the beating heart
01:44:18 – The Frustration of Spiritual Practice
01:48:18 – Teaching and Engagement Opportunities with James Finley
01:52:04 – Finding Your Practice and Community
01:55:44 – Farewell and Thanks

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511. Brian Longhurst

Posted on August 4, 2019 by Rick Archer

Brian Longhurst has been aware of the reality of the spirit realms since childhood. Born in England, he moved to Canada as a young man, where he began what was to become an enduring, personal relationship with Jesus, who manifested in glory to him when Brian was 22. Jesus told him he had come to lead him back to God. From then, his encounters with the living Jesus began in earnest, a decades-long – still ongoing – journey of spiritual awakening.

After marrying, Brian returned to live in England. He now resides in Gloucestershire with his wife, Theresa.

Books:

Website: honest2goodness.org.uk

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Transcript of this interview.

Interview recorded July 27, 2019

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
00:04:26 – Communing Mind-to-Mind
00:08:49 – The Center of our Focus
00:13:39 – The Purpose of Incarnating into Challenging Conditions
00:18:36 – The Dream of Separation and Duality
00:22:40 – The Intelligence of Creation
00:27:15 – Encountering Jesus in Canada
00:32:13 – The Encounter with Jesus
00:37:06 – The Purpose of our Existence
00:41:33 – Jesus Appears to a Muslim in Iran
00:46:07 – Purpose in the Physical World
00:50:38 – Finding Stability in Chaos
00:55:35 – The Kingdom of Heaven on Earth and the Real World
01:00:12 – The Profound Spiritual Awakening
01:04:23 – The Great Rescue Program and Transforming Energy
01:09:44 – The Three Measures of Meal
01:14:30 – The Acceleration of Awakening
01:18:36 – The Power of Inner Plane Servers and Beings of Light
01:23:17 – Seeking the Real Jesus
01:28:29 – Understanding the Book of Revelation
01:32:31 – Sharing Your Story
01:36:26 – Vision vs Sight
01:40:48 – Holistic Blossoming and Patience in Spiritual Development
01:44:59 – Seeking First the Kingdom
01:49:21 – Finding the Kingdom within
01:53:05 – The Correct Translation of the Bible
01:58:34 – The Best Translation of the Bible
02:03:00 – The Kingdom of God Within
02:07:29 – Bobby Kennedy’s Visit in Spirit
02:11:54 – Continuing the Conversation
02:15:32 – Continuing the Conversation

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444. Kimberly Braun

Posted on March 7, 2018 by Rick Archer

Kimberly Braun, Minister, M.A., CSP and Meditation Coach has been impelled from and within her contemplative experiences from the age of 5, with over ten of her years spent as a Carmelite monastic nun. Her Masters in theology was completed in 2001 in Washington D.C., and is concentrated upon the adult spiritual journey. As a CSP, keynote presentations are a primary tool in her personal mission to inspire others to live from the power and wisdom within them. Her style is playful, deeply inquiring, and intelligent in the synthesis of not only how to access this part of ourselves, but how to live from that place more consistently. She is a retreat and workshop facilitator, TEDx speaker, meditation faculty at the renowned Omega Institute, and fellow seeker on the path to living freely. She has three CDs and a book now available about her time as a nun, Love Calls: Insights of a Former Carmelite Nun.

She is just launching into the online world with her World Meditation for Happiness project, new online courses, and a FREE online spiritual community.

Kimberly is now available for private sessions, keynotes, and retreats. Stay in touch by visiting: www.kimberlybraun.com.

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded Feb. 24, 2018

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 – Introduction with Rick and Kimberly
00:02:56 – Early Spiritual Experiences
00:06:13 – The Path to Enlightenment and Life After Death
00:10:07 – The Unknown Leading to Atheism
00:14:10 – Embracing the Unknown in our Spiritual Journey
00:18:11 – From Passion to Confusion
00:22:34 – Surrendering to Spiritual Experiences
00:26:34 – A Mysterious Encounter
00:29:47 – Rising Energetic Constructs and Consciousness
00:33:21 – Expanding into Universal Essence and Non-dual Tantra
00:37:29 – Living Life Fully
00:42:04 – The Dancing Shiva and Free Will
00:45:48 – The Perception of Separation and the Nature of God
00:50:11 – Deepening our understanding of God
00:54:19 – Achieving a Connection with Spirit
00:58:23 – The Observer in Meditation
01:02:29 – The Power of Observing and Allowing
01:06:45 – Living in a Monastery
01:10:11 – The Honeymoon Years
01:13:34 – A Journey of Transformation and Service
01:17:37 – Leaving the Monastery and Grieving
01:20:48 – A Container for the Ineffable
01:25:07 – A Magical Autumn Experience
01:28:41 – The Journey of Healing and Growth
01:32:16 – Tasting the Brilliance Within
01:35:53 – Exploring Higher Realms
01:39:58 – The Never-Ending Mystic Adventure
01:43:55 – The Irrelevance of Having an End Point
01:48:13 – The Mayavadins and the Vaishnavites
01:51:43 – Continuing the Journey with Kimberly Bronn
01:54:42 – Farewell and Gratitude

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