CYNTHIA BOURGEAULT on centering prayer, mystics, Thomas Keating, suffering in Gaza, Trump, and more!

An in-depth conversation with Cynthia Bourgeault (Episcopal priest, author, mystic, and Professor Emeritus at the Centre for Action and Contemplation).

We discuss mysticism, centering prayer, non-literal interpretations of Jesus and the Bible, Thomas Keating, how to process the genocide in Gaza, Donald Trump, and more!

00:00 - Intro
00:51 - Bonnevaux
02:27 - Are you a mystic?
05:16 - Are you a Christian?
06:16 - Other wisdom paths Bourgeault taps into
07:24 - Defining God & Divine Reality
11:52 - Centering prayer & explaining its impact and value
20:48 - Drugs & Spirituality
28:00 - Our Inner Sanctuary
31:08 - What Bourgeault does in solitude at her hermitage & the goals
36:06 - Jesus Christ as mystic and practitioner of centering prayer
38:45 - Dangers of reading the Bible as literal
42:40 - Bourgeault's favorite mystic texts in the Bible
46:27 - Interpreting "I am the way, the truth, and the life"
51:53 - Importance of taking spiritual risks
53:51 - Interpreting "Blessed Are the Pure in Heart"
56:12 - Humility
58:15 - Discernment
01:02:30 - Listening to your body during meditation
01:04:53 - Origins of suffering, G.I. Gurdjieff, & Satan
01:13:02 - Gaza & processing genocide
01:23:03 - Donald Trump and his impact in the spiritual realm
01:29:17 - Thomas Keating
01:32:13 - Richard Rohr & James Finley
01:36:31 - What to do in times of doubt & spiritual discouragement

[ralphbraden]

I attended Cynthia's Aspen Wisdom School at the Aspen Chapel in the 90's and AM SO GRATEFUL for introducing me to the truest heart of Christianity.. I grieve for what has been lost and what Jesus really came here to demonstrate

[emptygrace]

For so many of the reasons she speaks of, I have experienced deep vipassana practice to offer the purest and most honest kenosis through which the One Good True and Beautiful can peek through. Much love to you Ryan for putting up these lovely materials.

[janchmiel]

rich conversation. probing questions but asked in good faith. full of clarifying insights. thank you!

[huckfinn]

Love Cynthia, love the way she sits in this interview with her legs splayed open, an iconoclast in every way. God Bless you, Cynthia Bourgeault . . .

[rushiaskinnerwallace]

Such a fantastic talk. I was able to experience Cynthia’s presence, compassion, wisdom and beauty in person at Nine Gates Mystery School. Profound. She’s very gifted in supporting others on their personal path. Thank you both for doing this interview!

[wohill]

With Bourgeault, Keating, Finley, Rohr and Merton, Yes and Ryan! ….we have no excuses but at the very least to STOP each day and “Let Go”

[paulcopper]

I have listened to and read Cynthia's books for many years, thank you for this video which gives me so much.

[kathleenross]

What a wonderful, rich interview with Cynthia! Ryan, you asked terrific questions which show already your depth of understanding at a relatively young age. It gives me hope for this world. Thank you! 🙏

[strangelyv]

Excellent interview! And I really appreciate how you've broken the video down into topical segments for us!! Thank you!

[paulwashington]

Thanks for a great interview and the wise answers of Cynthia Bourgeault.

[TimHutton-ifyj]

Thank you, Cynthia, for being honest and not holding back in expressing the ugliness of Donald Trump.
We need more people to discern the truth and speak it!
Thank you.

[federicoramirez]

Thank you for interviewing Cynthia! She’s such a wonderful teacher. Thank you for your work, you are a natural interviewer!

[jeaninemaloney]

1:40:07 AM
I came to Cynthia through Thomas Keating and Richard Rohr. She consistently makes sense to me through her intellect and thoughtfulness, but especially through her spirituality and love of God and Jesus, and the truth she finds in our Christian heritage.

[danamarie]

Great questions…. Beautiful transmission.

Centering prayer was a turning point.

[MaryM]

Amazing conversation! Thank you both for it. It gave me answers to some of my recent key questions.

[sallyzedillo]

Her explanation of Christianity is my own belief as well. Nice to hear someone explain it the way I see it. Thanks so much for this interview.

[amandathwaits]

Thank you dearest Cynthia for spending your time helping me realise what I already know and bringing the Truth of Love into Christianity. Thank you Ryan for a great interview

[gaignum]

This is yet another beautiful inspirational video in a difficult world. I think Finley and Bourgeault are right Ryan. You have found a beautiful calling.

[TheVinh]

Thanks for asking the questions you asked, Ryan. Some of those are on my mind too. It felt like i was having a conversation with Cynthia. Thanks for sharing your maps with us, Cynthia. They have greatly supported me.

[vandrosiglio]

Good questions. !! Cynthia i wish i knew your story of receiving the Eucharist accidentally-- because I also did.