This journey into the heart of Christian meditation consists of six CDs for a total of seven and one-half hours. Retreat leader and psychotherapist James Finley explores the art and craft of Christian meditation. He lived and studied at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, Kentucky, for almost six years, and Thomas Merton was one of his spiritual teachers. Finley has written about "the infinite union that holds the secret of who we really are" in his books Merton's Palace of Nowhere and The Contemplative Heart.
This audio retreat begins with an examination of the two different states of consciousness: the ego consciousness, which is our bodily self in time and space, and contemplative consciousness, which is the vast, mysterious, and rich depth of our interior being. God's grace is always with us and so no grand quest is necessary or, as Finley puts it, "We are already in the midst of what we seek." He presents some basic guidelines for meditation such as setting aside a regular time every day, using the same place, sitting still, sitting straight, flowing with the unity of everything, closing or lowering the eyes to the ground, using a timer, and breathing slowly, deeply, and naturally. Finley covers some of the obstacles often confronted in meditation and emphasizes the need to be present, open, and awake.
He includes discourses on the religious symbols in William Faulkner's short story "The Bear" and readings from the mystical classic "The Cloud of Unknowing." Finley sees great treasures emanating to those who practice the path of Christian contemplation including the experience of transcendence in everyday life, an awakened sense of self, encounters with the mind of Christ and the generosity of God, an enhanced ability to recognize the divinity in everything, and the cultivation of compassion. This is a fine primer on the riches of the Christian contemplative path.
