Living from the Heart with Brad Jersak: Simone Weil, Attention, and Affliction

In this episode, we sit down with Bradley Jersak, author, theologian, and university principal, for a rich and moving conversation about the life and writings of Simone Weil.Bradley shares how Simone's fierce honesty and mystical vision changed his life during a season of deep unravelling. We explore her understanding of affliction, attention, desire for God, and the mystery of divine love in a suffering world.We talk about what it means to pray without striving, the power of contemplative attention, and how Simone's refusal to look away from pain opens a path to compassion and solidarity. We reflect on her decision not to join institutional religion, her deep care for the marginalized, and how her voice helped spark change in the Catholic Church after her death at just 34.This is a conversation for anyone who longs to hold the tensions of love and suffering, silence and action, mysticism and justice, and to live from the heart in the midst of it all.LinksAwaiting God: A new translation of Attente de Dieu and Lettre a un Religieux by Simone Weil, translated by Bradley JersakBradley’s websiteMore books by BradleySoulStream LinksLiving from the Heart Deadline for in-person cohort: July 18, 2025. Learn more today.SoulStreamUpcoming Events, Courses and RetreatsThe Art of Spiritual Direction Training Course This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit soulstream926.substack.com