You're listening to Insights at the Edge.

Today my guest is Cynthia Bourgeois.

Cynthia is an Episcopal priest, a retreat and conference leader,

and the principal teacher and advisor to the contemplative society.

She passionately promotes the practice of centering prayer and has worked closely with Thomas Keating,

Bruno Barnhart, Richard Rohr, as well as many other contemplative teachers and leaders

within the Christian tradition, as well as other spiritual paths.

She's the author of the book, Love is Stronger Than Death, and the book The Meaning of Mary

Magdalene. With Sounds True, Cynthia has created several audio programs, including a six-part

series on Encountering the Wisdom Jesus series on encountering the wisdom Jesus, quickening

the kingdom of heaven within.

And on October 27, 2012, she'll be speaking with A.H. Almis in an exclusive conversation

on conscious love, the power of Revelation, and San Rafael, California,

where they will explore how certain forms of human relationship can function as conduits to the secrets of being.

In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Cynthia and I spoke about the concept of the abler soul, in which two souls come together to form one that is larger than each individual soul. We also talked about the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene, and how appreciating this relationship as an intimate one,

changes our view of Jesus as a teacher.

And finally, we talked about servanthood and what it might mean for each one of us to grow in servitude.

Here's my conversation with Cynthia Bourgeau.

Cynthia, you've written an absolutely gorgeous book called Love is Stronger Than Death,

in which you describe very poetically a deep and beautiful relationship that you had with a hermit monk named Rafe.

And I'm wondering here at the beginning of our conversation,

if you can bring our listeners up to speed, so to speak,

...