"The Peace that Surpasses Understanding" with Dr. James Finley

James Finley, Ph.D. conducted workshops on contemplative living at Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church in Scottsdale, Arizona on March 14, 2015, and addressed the parish during this forum on the following Sunday.
Dr. Finley lived several years as a monk at the Trappist monastery in Kentucky, where the world-renowned monk and author, Thomas Merton, was his spiritual director. He now leads retreats and workshops throughout the United States and Canada, attracting men and women from all religious traditions who seek to live a contemplative way of life. He is also a clinical psychologist in private practice with his wife in Santa Monica, California.
James Finley is the author of "Merton's Palace of Nowhere,""The Contemplative Heart" and "Christian Meditation: Experiencing the Presence of God."
About Contemplative Life at Saint Barnabas
At Saint Barnabas, we offer a variety of ways to intentionally engage in practices that can be helpful to your spiritual depth and growth. Some of these are done individually, some in community, and some share in a bit of both. We also offer programming online, so that you can participate from where you may be in the world.
What is the contemplative life? It springs from the awakened vision, the epiphany, that God is always everywhere present and that this Presence is active, that is, always reaching out to us. Jesus’ parting words in Matthew’s Gospel, “Remember I am with you always,” and his promise in John’s Gospel, “You will know that I am in my Father and you are in me and I am in you,” are among the many passages that reveal the contemplative dimension of the Gospel.
How is the contemplative life lived? Primarily by learning to be silent and to rest in Christ’s presence within. At the heart of the contemplative vision is the insight that we needn’t go anywhere or do anything or become anything other than who we are to be present to God, who is already present to us. More present than we are to ourselves. So, the contemplative life is actually quite simple and accessible to everyone. It is simply the intention to pause, to be still, and, by faith, to rest in Christ’s presence within.
Learn More at: www.saintbarnabas.org/contempl...
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[@jeffhogue9953]

Premium Christian mystical teaching here. Finley is virtually authentic. ⭐️

[@anhumblemessengerofthelawo3858]

This same judgment you give yourself. _Almost_ real This actually means _never_ real, because truth, bring true, is wholly true and nothing else. Something can't be virtually true. One is or one is not. Truth -- beloved one -- is _total._ It's a matter of investment in truth or illusion. There may seem to be a scale between Truth and Falsity, but when you reach the top, you kick out the ladder. You _are_ wholly authentic, innocent and merciful. _Nothing_ but this is real. But you must choose it, over and over and over, in all circumstances, with every person you see, with every thought and every breath. Then you will _remember_ the peace of God, which is in you already, but covered in veils, in beliefs, in matter and forgetfulness. You know _still_ Choose again.

[@williamoarlock8634]

A 'virtually authentic' senile old fool.

[@gailmanley3130]

Another wonderful teacher from the CAC who gives us ways to open to inner experience and grow closer to the Lord vs just rote, safe repetition of doctrine without your souls involvement.

[@annawhitworth815]

Everything you say seems to speak directly to my condition. Thank you, in the peace of God.

[@wishingonthemoon1]

God bless you for posting and God bless Dr. Finley.

[@rogerjones3949]

I was going to have a glass of red wine, now no need, totally relaxed having listened to this.

[@kristinak1972]

Wow first time I've heard him. Fantastic teacher of the Christian contemplative path.

[@flannelflower3036]

Thank you. Much food for my soul here. Blessings to Dr Finley and to you for posting.

[@ElkoJohn]

I knew early on that finding truth is not the same as finding happiness you can aspire to see the truth but once you have seen it you cannot avoid suffering otherwise - you have seen nothing at all .............. Thich Nhat Hanh

[@priscilla9995]

This was really moving for me. Thank you!

[@louelle8653]

Thank you 🙏

[@maryann7619]

The description of the Dark Night is magical.

[@catherinewscott]

So helpful to receive God's "I love you" yet again today.

[@weprintplastic]

It is a such a beautiful and simple meditation on God... I just discovered James Finley through an audio book, and I'm very thankful to the Lord I was led here.

[@kreshia777]

James Finley - thank you for sharing and guiding

[@qualityparks]

Thanks for posting Dr. Finley's video.

[@elizabethdawson4235]

The Lord gives; the Lord takes back. blessed be the name of the Lord. Job, the king of the mature beings.

[@cynthiaschorr553]

Wow, this is vital to moving on to some place I’ve sensed and known must be available, but feared: wonder would run out.

[@maryannlantigua4068]

Thanks for sharing this video

[@hopewhispers8754]

Thank your VERY much for posting :)

[@sandranixon4936]

Thanks for sharing your deep love for GOD AND THE BLESSINGS and peace it has brought you

[@Adele.N]

Much gratitude.

[@XOXO-mb2vh]

This was a fresh different perspective for me. BATGAP brought me here.

[@anhumblemessengerofthelawo3858]

_different by being the same, surely love_

[@cherylmburton5577]

This was a much better personality of James Finley than his Palace to Nowhere droning and sarcastic personality! Although one episode of the Path to the Palace was OK. I accept Centering Prayer, as the Catholic Catechism describes it, as acquired contemplation. I have my reasons for many hesitations regarding Bhuddism, just as some Bhuddists do, regarding Christianity. I have been exposed to a corrupted form of Bhuddism in the State Mental Health System, and there are many Asians Bhuddist Sorcerors, just as there are Christian ones.

[@peacelovejoy8786]

*Buddhist

[@williamc.hensel130]

Long ago, I decided to take each person as they come, and receive from each whatever I could; and to make no mortal 'my master.' It's a precarious, necessary and wonderful balance of love and reality. Jim Finley is one I value profoundly, and would welcome wholeheartedly as a therapist, teacher, spiritual director, friend. (In that ascending order :-). I've been warmed and encouraged by his gentle humor, profound compassion, lovely pace and tone- and what he has suffered, transcended, learned and shared. Thanks to St. Barnabas, Dr. Finley, and God.

[@mr.unknown1313]

Mr Finley is a false teacher preaching another Gospel . He is trying to lead people astray . God is not mocked the Holy Bible says those who preach another gospel as Mr. Franklin are cursed . Dangerous stuff what Mr. Franklin is doing and teaching he knows better . God can lay you out . God is not to be messed with . Jesus is our only hope of salvation . God can lay you out and only puts up with so much and false teaching as Mr. Franklin is doing . Jesus loves you !

[@mr.unknown1313]

John 14:6 And Jesus answered "I am the way the truth and the life no one comes to the Father but by me " Jesus answered . Jesus the one true God is the only way according to him and John 14:6 . Jesus loves you william and is the only way to be saved !

[@cloudsofwonder7004]

I truly enjoyed this and the mediation Of breathing In How Much we are all loved ❤ I am grateful ☘️

[@anhumblemessengerofthelawo3858]

He is most evidently using Ericksonian Utilization to give himself and the audience "negative hallucination", which means the awful feedback -- which is _there_ -- cannot be heard, and _is evidently not_ there. You see!? It involves using language in a _certain way_ It's essential to do so in order to make full use of catalyst -- which is whatever presents itself in the moment. Milton Erickson was maybe the reincarnation of Socrates. Tuning is a bright art; detuning the reverse. It was a great demonstration by this one called James.

[@tintin613]

Amazing!

[@cherylmburton5577]

I think possibly what was going on with Mother Theresa was the will of God as was suggested by James Finley, but my reasoning as to why it was the will of God is different from Finley's because, even if it were hinderance by the devil, God allowed it to occur, and in that sense, it was his will. Mother Theresa had taken the vows of poverty, obedience, and Chastity. It was her devotion, her love for God, her Charity that people saw shining in her, but if God had provided her with too much consolation, and special friendship with Him, the light in her may have become dimmed or clouded by feelings of importance or misplaced feeling of pride in her (could happen to anyone), that people might have mixed negative reactions to. As it was, she remained always humble, and must have known that He loved her, or she would not have been entrusted with the work she was. In Scripture, God told Elijah that He had spoken to the widow of Zarephath and she would do as Elijah told her to do. But when Elijah got there, she gave no indication of knowing that he was coming, and initially she would not do as he told her, until after he spoke to her of faith. Evidently she recognized the Holy Spirit in him. (Philippians 4:7). Also, Mother Theresa could have had money to go on a vacation, as she was given many gifts, one of them, a very expensive limousine, but she would give all to Charity, because of her vow of poverty

[@cherylmburton5577]

How does anyone pray at 3yrs old and remember it to the extent, that they could actually analyze it psychologically 20-25yrs later. Only because there was trauma involved seems to be the reason that it would be remembered so well. I had horrific nightmares starting when I was 4yrs old, and the nightmares are all I remember. I do not remember any good or happy dreams but I know I must have had some.

[@qualityparks]

I haven't found the time to do a retreat, but enjoy podcasts...

[@ElkoJohn]

Can there ever be acceptance Of this world filled with suffering By day - by night - in countless dreams I feel the touch - of every living thing Every man, woman, and child Even the trees and blades of grass They all cry out to me With silent begging eyes They all cry out And yet - the answer must be G*d ................ Richard Beer-Hofmann

[@iktomi5]

wow awesome mother Teresa Patron saint of the dark night!

[@philippafurness9749]

Just get him!

[@lindawer]

The last three minutes were very important. Too many well-intentioned people use religion-speak to try to help a depressed person. Too many therapists have no appreciation for the spiritual dimension of the human condition to recognize that drugs aren't always the answer.

[@iktomi5]

I be broke off mid speech!? Great to hear words delivered of the way in a manner Christians hopefully can accept & work with. Buddhist from the route Ive been walking speak of this IMO far more openly & regularly? The obvious archetype this gent speaks on his Jesus the High Priest & Son of our Glorious Father. He speaks of Nelson Mandela , I've not looked at him as a hero of peace, Mother Tersa of course. Great work it's so welcome my experience with COE plus other prodicent churches is a ignorance even refusal to go inward!? loud prayer singing anything audible. talks debates action bt go within a rare thing! Catholics I've little experience with outside Monasteries & half hearted proud of their religion types hence I'm not able to say more. the I was journey with God directs with far greater wisdom the physical. 💯👏🏽👏🏽🙏🏼

[@xholydiver]

"Fasten your seat belts. I'm gonna shout intimate things!" -James Finley, 2015 LOL

[@janadominika]

Is he a Christian or a Buddhist?

[@taurusspirit4811]

:)

[@kimberleyakin3417]

Where's Jesus Christ?

[@almilligan7317]

see my response. This is salvation without a savior.

[@feetxxxl]

jim disagree with your "them and us" celebritization of mandella and teresa, your diminishment of grace. consider instead speaking of teresa's grace sharing of pain with others, mandella's grace non victimization of himself and appreciation of others(jailers as well as prisoners)................bonhoeffer credited the same grace in his imprisonment.

[@almilligan7317]

How can you have inner peace? You might try the Lord Jesus Christ: my peace I give to you, my peace I leave with you. Finley’s Gnosticism is dependent on getting yourself right. You can do this without Christ. We are into the meditation and Finley has not mention Jesus name. Immanuel Kant called this mystical meditation a monstrosity because it ends in nihilism.

[@andrewortiz5797]

Be Still and Know That I Am God - Psalm 46... Jesus said The Kingdom of God Is Within! Acts 17 says that in Him do we live and move and have our Being! Christianity is about rules and regulations and Moralism. Mysticism is about having A Direct Personal Experience with God thru Surrender and one who Seeks Union with God. God is Bigger than Religion or Holy Books. Theology is Head knowledge and one cannot find God thru head knowledge or the intellect. God has to be Felt and Experienced Directly. The evidence that a man has Found God is a changed Life.

[@almilligan7317]

@@andrewortiz5797 Begs the question. There is no such thing as having a Direct personal Experience with God. All knowledge begins in the senses/ There is nothing in the mind that is not first in the senses. Mysticism is merely an escape from reality claiming a superior way to knowledge and truth. The question for Christians is has Christ been raised from the dead or not? Not, then eat and drink for tomorrow we die. End of story. But if he has been raised and you receive him therein is the changed life. Seeking a direct felt and experienced knowledge of God is useless. How do you know said experience comes from God and not the devil. The devils, themselves, believe and tremble.

[@almilligan7317]

@@andrewortiz5797 Nor is Christianity about rules and moralisms. Quite the opposite. Those in Christ leave rules and moralisms for living in the spirit of Christ Jesus. Were there rules and moralisms for Jesus. Rather the motto for Christians should be believe in Christ Jesus and do as you please. Live in the new creation now, not in some future never never land; Utopia means no-where. It doesn't exist. Mysticism is the denial of Christ.

[@andrewortiz5797]

@@almilligan7317 God Is Bigger than Religion. Christianity didn't change me and I was a hardcore christian and even did the street preaching thing. Its about a Personal Experience with God and incorporating that Experience into your everyday Life. I Love The Teachings Of Jesus, however today's Christianity knows very little about what Christ taught. Christianity is a religion that was invented by man and it has become a name brand and a tool for politicism and emperialism. Jesus never said anything about coming to start a new religion or religions. He said He works build His Church and put Peter in Charge of His Church. They were called christians but there is no mention of christianity. Mysticism isn't about escaping Reality, it's about having a Personal Experience with God. The Bible is Great and has many Deep Truths but I don't know if it's The Actual literal word of God. God Is Perfect and doesn't contradict Himself. Man finds God in different ways and this we know because we see people of different religions and races and cultures who were bound in addiction and darkness and hopelessness and they Experienced God for themselves and as a result their Lives changed and now they have Peace and True Joy. God can does as He pleases and work in ways that don't make sense to us. Man knows nothing and God is beyond our reasonings.

[@almilligan7317]

@@andrewortiz5797 You make a lot of unverified assumptions. You say God is perfect and doesn't contradict himself. So you are judging God describing human qualities to God. You say man finds God in different ways. Maybe so, but not God the Father. "No one comes to the Father but through the Son." (Mysticism denies this.) You say, "God can does as He pleases and work in ways that don't make sense to us." Yet, you deny that God can choose to manifest God's self in the flesh and offer man salvation in the death of His Son. In fact, we can know nothing about God unless God comes to us. Also, you are right, Jesus did not come to start a new religion. He was a reformer and came to us through Judaism. Through Jesus the true Jews today are those who follow Jesus Christ. (Romans 2:29) You harp on 'religion'. Religion is nothing more than remembering who you are and reconnecting with that being. So there is a true religion; the one that connects a person to the truth of God (and Christians believe that is Jesus). You ask about the text as the literal word of God. That is the mistake of atheists and fundamentalists alike (including mystics); All texts are metaphors and metaphors are true when they reflect an objective truth that may not be able to be known. In that respect, the Bible or Quran or some other religious book is not the word of God. There is only one Word of God, Jesus Christ, and him Crucified. (Can your God do that if he wants to?) Do you walk with the Lord, then you are free and walk in the newness of life.

[@breatheasy333]

DUDE WOKE AF. BLESS UP

[@rooruffneck]

You're funny :)