Reviewed by Brudge
I recommend this product
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Rated 4.4 out of 5
Christian Meditation
Entering the Mind of Christ
Audio
Full Description
In 1967, Thomas Merton traveled to Thailand, seeking to further the Buddhist-Christian dialogue that was his passion. This beloved Trappist monk and explorer of the inner life died unexpectedly that trip, but not before writing a final letter to his brothers at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky. In the letter, Merton wrote that he now realized that everything he had been searching for could be found at his own hermitage, within the Christian tradition.
It is in this spirit, with respect for all faiths, that James Finley offers Christian Meditation, an audio retreat about the fundamental practices at the heart of Christianity's own unique meditation tradition.
Beyond the Closed Horizon of the Ego
Since the time of the Desert Fathers in the third century, Finley begins, Christian mystics have practiced meditation as a way of opening to the direct presence of God in daily life. Legendary seekers such as Saint John of the Cross, Saint Teresa of Avila, and Meister Eckhart explored how meditation can lead us beyond the closed horizon of the ego, to an interior and holy refuge that is always available to us. On Christian Meditation, James Finley offers a gentle introduction to this all-transforming way of life, and the ever-deepening realization of oneness with Christ it leads us to.
Enter the Cloud of Unknowing
Beginning with an overview of the Christian contemplative tradition and its historical roots, and complete with step-by-step instructions about how to progress in your own practice, Finley offers a personal retreat experience for you to practice along with, at your own pace. In 12 complete sessions and more than seven hours of basic instruction with the beginner in mind, James Finley guides you along this path of awakening, in order to glimpse the infinite union that holds the secret of who we really are. This state of awakened consciousness, referred to by an anonymous Christian mystic as the cloud of unknowing, is held in common by the world's great wisdom traditions, both Eastern and Western.
Divine Intimacy
Meditation has the power to reveal to us the surprising nearness of God, Finley teaches. As you expand your meditation practice, in concert with your faith, you will find that these divine moments come more often, until you are finally awakened to your own deepest self, one with Christ, with James Finley's Christian Meditation.
Learn more about:
- Christian meditation—its history, traditions, and root practices
- Where life's needless complexity comes from
- Faith in Christ—the foundation of Christian meditation
- Poverty of speech and the sacred silence of meditation
- The arenas of daily life, and how meditation can enrich them
- How to move beyond the tyranny of the past and change it to the truth of the present moment
- Vulnerability—its your key to attaining grace
- The present moment and the eternal now, beyond time
- Insights from the Christian symbols in William Faulkner's short story The Bear
- Awakening, suffering, and the Pearl of Great Price
- The three principles for a contemplative life, and how to practice them
- A way of seeing that sets us free from our egos
- Guidelines for correct posture, breathing, and getting started
- More than seven hours of teachings, practices, and meditations in the Christian tradition
Format Details
| Audio | CD | |
|---|---|---|
| Contents | Digital Audio (7 hours, 30 minutes) | 6 CDs (7 hours, 30 minutes) |
| Dimensions | 5 x 5 inches | |
| Product Code | AF00679W | AF00679D |
| ISBN Number | 978-1-60407-028-6 | 978-1-59179-047-1 |
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About James Finley
James Finley left home at the age of 18 for the Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, Kentucky, where Thomas Merton lived as a contemplative. He later earned degrees from the University of Akron, Saint John College, and the Fuller Theological Seminary. Today James Finley is a husband, father, writer, and psychotherapist in private practice. His books include Merton's Palace of Nowhere and The Contemplative Heart.
REVIEWS
Based on 11 reviews
100%
of reviewers would recommend this product to a friend
11 Reviews
Reviewed by Jayne
I recommend this product
Very peaceful, relaxing
This is my expderience: Very relaxed, aware of my body, receptive of God's presence.
***grateful for being alive. God will and can use me in spite of the negative beliefs that eclipse a moving forward in surrender to His plan for my life.
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Reviewed by Barefootgirl69
I recommend this product
Finally! Mindfulness meditation from a solidly Judeo-Christian perspective!
Thank you, Sounds True, for finally making availible a good quality product by a well-respected, skilled and highly accessible Chritian meditation teacher. And in doing so, demonstrating a good faith effort to represent us well.
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Reviewed by kbqvist
I recommend this product
Disappointing audio quality - no helpful meta-data in mp3s
The content of James Finley's presentation is excellent, but Soundstrue's delivery of this content, in mp3 form is disappointing. Firstly, the audio is too compressed to faithfully reproduce Finley's voice - it is simply too distorted to allow pleasurable listening.
Secondly, the mp3 files do not contain any helpful meta-data, so you have no idea what each one contains when you import and browse the files in an mp3 player, such as iTunes. Also, they contain no album art. It is a pity that Soundstrue has missed the opportunity to deliver Finley's material the way it - and the customer deserves...
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Reviewed by Elizabeth H.
I recommend this product
Review for Christian Meditation
A well put together program and beautifully produced. James Finley has a wonderful way of bringing the listener to feel and absorb the many layered depths of his discussions and teachings. One feels in "the moment" and present with Finley and his powerful dialogue. Well presented and done.
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