David Lorimer's guest today is Cynthia Bourgeault, who is a modern-day mystic, Episcopal priest, writer, and internationally acclaimed retreat leader. She divides her time between solitude in her seaside hermitage in Maine and a demanding schedule travelling globally to spread the recovery of the Christian contemplative and Wisdom paths. She is a faculty member emeritus of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the founding director of an international network of Wisdom schools, uniting classic Christian mystical and monastic teaching with contemporary practices of mindfulness and embodied presence.

Cynthia’s signature contribution to the Christian contemplative reawakening has focused in four main areas: Centering Prayer; the Christian Wisdom Tradition; the Christian Inner and Fourth Way Traditions; and The Path of Conscious Love.

Imaginal Inspirations is hosted by David Lorimer, Programme Director of the Scientific and Medical Network and Chair of the Galileo Commission, an academic movement dedicated to expanding the evidence base of a science of consciousness. Imaginal cells are responsible for the metamorphosis of the caterpillar into a butterfly, which is the Greek symbol for the soul. These cells are dormant in the caterpillar but at a critical point of development they create the new form and structure which becomes the butterfly.

scientificandmedical.net 

galileocommission.org

beyondthebrain.org

 

Works and links mentioned:

Cynthia Bourgeault https://cynthiabourgeault.org/

Books by Cynthia Bourgeault: https://uk.bookshop.org/books?keywords=Cynthia+Bourgeault

The Future of Wisdom by Bruno Barnhart: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-future-of-wisdom-toward-a-rebirth-of-sapiential-christianity/9781939681829

In Search of the Miraculous by P.D. Ouspensky https://uk.bookshop.org/books/in-search-of-the-miraculous/9781874250760

The Ever-Present Origin by Jean Gebster: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-ever-present-origin/9780821407691

What Happens in Mindfulness by John Teasdale: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/what-happens-in-mindfulness-inner-awakening-and-embodied-cognition/9781462549450

Jacob Boehme: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/jacob-boehme-9781556433573/9781556433573

 

Production: Martin Redfern

Artwork: Amber Haas

Music: Life is a River, by Magnus Moone