On this page you will find audio recordings of readings, commentaries, and discussion of a range of spiritual texts.
Meister Eckhart and the Contemplation of Scripture
These recordings are from a study-day on ‘Meister Eckhart and the Contemplation of Scripture’ led by Dr Joseph Milne. Meister Eckhart’s sermons each begin with a quotation from scripture, and Dr Milne explores how Eckhart draws out the mystical sense of these opening quotations, informed by the monastic tradition of scriptural contemplation
The Four Senses of Scripture
A study-day given by Dr Geoffrey Cornelius, who specialises in the theory and practical application of symbolic and imaginal disciplines. The day explored the patristic and medieval hermeneutic of the Four Senses of Scripture, both veil and lamp to the Christian revelation, and moved on to Dante and Shakespeare and its significance as a universal symbol of the sacred.
Love and Language in Julian of Norwich
Recordings from a study-day given by Dr Eleanor Parker looking at the medieval mystic and writer Julian of Norwich. Julian devoted her life to interpreting a series of visions which were revealed to her as she lay seriously ill in 1373. The work she wrote to record and interpret her visions is a powerful reflection on divine love, and the first book in English known to have been written by a woman. This day explored Julian’s work in the context of medieval English mystical writing and art, focusing especially on the language and images Julian used to explore and communicate the message of love which was revealed to her.
Accompanying materials:
The Essential Theatre
A talk by Julia Cousins. Julia is a poet and actress who has read her own work at Fintry on several occasions. Her most recent collection of poems is entitled Homecoming; Freya Purdue’s design for the cover of this book can be seen on the left.
The Essential Theatre (46:07)
Old English Wisdom Poetry
Dr Eleanor Parker talking about an example of Anglo-Saxon wisdom poetry at a study-day at Fintry, 17 October 2015.
The Divine Comedy
A recording of an adult education class reading and discussing the second part of Dante’s Divine Comedy, Purgatorio. The class is led by Julie Parker.