| Archives 2 Thomas Merton, St. John of the Cross and Zen Merton on Main
Street Merton Auction A Zen Life—D.T.
Suzuki Edmonton Conference—Climate
of Fear/Commitment to Peace Thomas Merton
and George Grant: Radical Conservatives Winnipeg Conference—Climate
of Fear/Commitment to Peace Thomas Merton,
Thomas Berry and the Natural World TMSC October Program Events 2005-2006
Climate of Fear/Commitment
to Peace Thomas Merton
and George Grant: Radical Conservatives
Sat. Oct., 2005 1: 2 pm – 4 pm Philosophers’ CafÉ ?Subversive Orthodoxy: Outlaws, Revolutionaries, and Other Christians in Disguise St. John’s United Church Fri. Oct. 21: 7:30 pm Thomas Merton’s Life and Thought Series The Sacred Art of Listening Co-sponsored by the TMSC and Vancouver Public Library Sat. Oct. 22: 10 am – 4 pm Seminar—The Sacred Art of Listening Canadian Memorial Church & Centre for Peace Wed. Nov. 9, 2005: 7:30 pm Thomas Merton’s Life and Thought Series Thomas Merton and the Beats of the North Cascades Co-sponsored by the TMSC and Vancouver Public Library Sat. Nov. 12: 10 am – 4 pm Something Far Beyond Ourselves: Thomas Merton and Spiritual Autobiography One-Day Retreat Mon. Nov. 14: 7:30 p.m ‘I Woke Up’: Thomas Merton and Buddhism Sponsored by the Chair of Christian Thought, University
of Calgary Tues. Nov. 15: 12:00 noon Zeal for the Glory of the One God: Thomas Merton and Islam Sponsored by the Chair of Christian Thought, University
of Calgary Fri. Nov. 18: 7:30 p.m Thomas Merton’s Life and Thought Series Stalking the Holy: The Pursuit of Saint Makers Co-sponsored by the TMSC and Vancouver Public Library Sat. Nov. 19: 2 pm – 4 pm Philosophers’ CafÉ Stalking the Holy: The Pursuit of Saint Makers Canadian Memorial Church & Centre for Peace 2006
Jan. 7 – 21 Thomas Merton in Cuba 14-day pilgrimage to Cuba following Merton’s footsteps from Havana to Matanzas, Camagüey, Santiago de Cuba, El Cobre and Trinidad. Includes fourteen nights accommodation, breakfast and dinner daily, ground transportation by private coach, and services of Cuban guide. Cost: $1,995 (land); $619/taxes (airfare) Toronto/Havana return; $929/taxes (airfare) Vancouver/Toronto/Havana return Faculty: Anna Baignoche, Donald Grayston, Judith Hardcastle Limit: 18 participants
Wed. Jan. 25, 2006 : 7:30 pm Thomas Merton’s Life and Thought Series Geographical Metaphors of the Soul: Thomas Merton’s Sense of Place Co-sponsored by the TMSC and Vancouver Public Library Fri. Feb. 10: 7:30 pm Concert—A Song for My God: A Concert of Psalms Kathleen Deignan, CND Sat. Feb. 11: 10 am – 4 pm Retreat—The Great Encircling: Recovering the Vision of Celtic Spirituality 6050 Chancellor Blvd., Vancouver Wed. Feb. 22: 7:30 pm Thomas Merton’s Life and Thought Series Thomas Merton: Exile and Homecoming Co-sponsored by the TMSC and Vancouver Public Library Fri. Mar. 3: 7:30 pm Conference—Climate of Fear/Commitment to Peace Co-sponsored by the TMSC and Canadian Sat. Mar. 4: 9 am – 5 pm Climate of Fear/Commitment to Peace Plenary and concurrent presentations and workshops Wed. Mar. 15: 7:30 pm Thomas Merton’s Life and Thought Series Thomas Merton's Poetics: A Revelation of Love Co-sponsored by the TMSC and Vancouver Public Library Tues. Apr. 4: 7:30 pm Thomas Merton’s Life and Thought Series Three Simple Steps to a Contemplative Lifestyle Co-sponsored by the TMSC and Vancouver Public Library Tues. May 9: 7:30 pm Thomas Merton’s Life and Thought Series Rhinos, Lizards & The Click of Being Co-sponsored by the TMSC and Vancouver Public Library May 18 – 28 Thomas Merton in France 10-day pilgrimage to Prades in the south of France. Tues. June 6 2006 : 7:30 pm Thomas Merton's Life & Thought Series Thomas Merton as Spiritual Mentor Co-sponsored by the TMSC and Vancouver Public Library July 3 – 7 Official Opening of the Thomas Merton Reading Room Vancouver School of Theology, 6000 Iona Drive, Vancouver July 3 - 7, 8:30 - 11:30 am “Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen and Donald Nicholl: Pilgrims of Wisdom and Peace” with Michael Higgins Official Opening of Thomas Merton Reading Room Reception and Public Lecture Tues. July 4: 6:30 pm A Hidden Wholeness: The Zen Photography of Thomas Merton Speakers: Michael Higgins, Paul Pearson July 3 - 28 An exhibit of 35 photographs by Thomas Merton Iona Building, Vancouver School of Theology July 10 – 12 Thomas Merton and The Beats Leader: Ron Dart
Doug Beardsley is
professor of English at the University of Victoria where he teaches
courses in aboriginal literature and the literature of the Shoah. He
has published over a dozen books in a career that has spanned more
than three decades, including The Only Country in the World Called
Canada, Kissing the Body of My Lord: The Marie Poems, and Wrestling
with Angels. Doug presented talks on Merton's spiritual theology
at conferences in Victoria and San Diego in 2005.. Ron Dart teaches
in the Department of Political Science, Philosophy and Religious Studies
at the University College of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, BC. He
is author of thirteen books that deal with the interface between literature,
spirituality and politics, including Thomas Merton and the North
Cascade Beat Poets. Ron is the political science advisor to the
Stephen Leacock home/museum in Orillia, Ontario. He is a board member
of the Thomas Merton Society of Canada. Kathleen Deignan,
CND, is a theologian, musician and professor of Spirituality Studies
at Iona College in New York, and author of Christ Spirit: The Eschatology
of Shaker Christianity and When the Trees Say Nothing: Thomas Merton’s
Writings on Nature. Kathleen serves on the Board of the International
Thomas Merton Society. Jim Forest has been a newspaper reporter, edited several magazines and journals, headed the staff of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, and now edits the journal, In Communion. His many books include The Wormwood File: E-Mail from Hell, Praying with Icons and biographies of Thomas Merton and Dorothy Day. Thomas Merton dedicated Faith and Violence to Jim, and Merton’s letters to Jim have been published as part of The Hidden Ground of Love. Jim lives in Holland with his wife, Nancy.
Judith Hardcastle,
a candidate for ministry in The United Church of Canada, is in her
third year of M. Div. Studies at Vancouver School of Theology. Founding
member and program director of the Thomas Merton Society of Canada,
she has organized and co-led Merton pilgrimage programs to France,
New York and Alaska. Michael W. Higgins is
president of St. Jerome’s University, a professor of English
and Religious Studies, and the author and co-author of numerous books
and articles, including the award-winning Heretic Blood: The Spiritual
Geography of Thomas Merton. His most recent work is Stalking
the Holy: In Pursuit of Saint-Making, published by Anansi and
aired on the CBC Radio One IDEAS program. Michael is a board member
of the Thomas Merton Society of Canada. Mel Hurtig is
an Officer of the Order of Canada and has been awarded honourary degrees
by six Canadian universities. Among his many other awards and honours,
are the Lester B. Pearson Man of the Year Peace Award, the Speaker
of the Year Award, the Royal Society of Canada’s Centenary Medal,
and, on two occasions, the Canadian Book Publisher of the Year award.
He has been Chairman of the Board of the Canadian Booksellers Association,
the National Chairman of the Committee for an Independent Canada, and
is the founder and former Chairman of the Council of Canadians. Mel
Hurtig also founded and published The Canadian Encyclopedia.
He is the author of several best-selling books, including The Betrayal
of Canada, Pay the Rent or Feed the Kids, his autobiography At
Twilight in the Country, The Vanishing Country and his latest
book Rushing to Armageddon: The Shocking Truth About Canada, Missile
Defence and Star Wars, which The Globe and Mail Review called "perhaps
the most important book published in Canada this year." Jeff Imbach is
the author of The Recovery of Love: Christian Mysticism and the
Addictive Society and The River Within: Loving God, Living
Passionately. Jeff and his brother, Steve, are co-founders of
SoulStream, a program for spiritual direction training and a resource
for retreats and seminars. Jeff is president of the Henri Nouwen Society
in Canada. Robert Inchausti is
professor of English at California Polytechnic State University. He
is author of Subversive Orthodoxy: Outlaws, Revolutionaries, and
Other Christians in Diguise, Thomas Merton's American Prophecy, and The
Ignorant Perfection of Ordinary People. He also edited Seeds,
a popular selection of Thomas Merton's writings. Kay Lindahl is the founder of The Listening Center and is recognized as an inspiring teacher and spiritual guide to people of all religious backgrounds. An ordained interfaith minister, she conducts workshops, seminars and retreats around the world on the sacred art of listening for religious, spiritual, community and business groups. She is author of The Sacred Art of Listening, Practicing the Sacred Art of Listening and How Does God Listen? Paul M. Pearson is
Director and Archivist of The Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University
in Louisville, Kentucky. He is editor of Seeking Paradise: The
Spirit of the Shakers (Thomas Merton) and has published many articles
on Merton’s life and thought. Founding member and former Secretary
of the Thomas Merton Society of Great Britain & Ireland, Paul is
president of the International Thomas Merton Society. He travels worldwide
presenting papers and talks on Thomas Merton. John Porter is
the author of The Thomas Merton Poems and Spirit Book
Word: An Inquiry into Literature and Spirituality. Born in Belfast
and educated in Canada, he is a passionate and omnivorous reader. John
is an accomplished poet, critic and teacher who also writes for the Literary
Review of Canada and The Globe and Mail. He has spoken
on Thomas Merton in Canada and the United States. Angus Stuart is Rector of St Francis-in-the-Wood Anglican Church in West Vancouver. He has degrees in Geography and Theology from the Universities of London and Durham respectively and a PhD on the experience of aging and environment from the University of London, England. A former Chair of the Thomas Merton Society of Great Britain & Ireland, Angus has presented and published a number of papers on Thomas Merton and the Beats in the UK and abroad. Bonnie Thurston is living as a solitary in the hills of West Virginia after 27 years of university teaching. She is the author of ten books in New Testament studies and theology, and two books of poetry—The Heart’s Lands and Hints & Glimpses. Bonnie is a founding member of the International Thomas Merton Society who continues to write and lecture extensively on Merton’s life and thought. She is an ordained Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and a gifted retreat leader. THOMAS MERTON, THOMAS BERRY AND THE NATURAL
WORLD Thomas Merton looked on the natural world as paradise, especially the woods of Gethsemani Abbey. For Merton the earth with its creatures was sacred. Thomas Berry is concerned with the universe story, the unfolding of the universe from its primordial flaring forth to the terminal phase of the Cenozoic period where we now find ourselves. If one did not know this story, one could be of little help or have little influence on society. He felt that Merton did not have the story. Teihard had the story. Later he changed his mind when he came to see that Merton knew how to make the transition from a society that is having a disruptive influence on the earth to one that will have a benign presence to the universe. We make the transition by experiencing creation with a sense of wonder and delight and not just a commodity for our own personal benefit. He saw that Merton deeply loved the earth and considered it sacred. Only the sense of the sacred will save us. Charles Brandt was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Victoria with the mandate of hermit-priest. He lives in that diocese as a hermit according to Canon 603 of the Code of Canon Law. He supports himself as a book/paper conservator and is the author of Meditations from the Wilderness and Self and the Environment.. He holds a B.S. (ornithology) from Cornell University and a B.D. from Nashotah House. He is involved indirectly in several environmental projects, one being the restoration of the Tsolum River to its original health and productivity, a river on which he built his hermitage in l965. 2007 BACK TO TOP MERTON
CONFERENCE IN WINNIPEG RESCHEDULED TO JAN. 19 & 20, 2007 A Solitary Splash in a Monk's
Pond: Reflections on Thomas Merton's Understanding of Zen and Contemplation Merton was conscious of the affinities between Zen
and contemplation and this is evident in his use of these terms. Zen
is beyond Buddhism, as contemplation is beyond Christianity. Both in
some way refer to unmediated experience, beyond words, ideas or structures,
of the world, of life, of God - a sense of pure being and the direct
intuition of reality. Both can only be hinted at, not defined and whatever
is said must immediately be unsaid, qualified, contradicted. Thomas Merton’s Spiritual
Journey An Introduction to
Thomas Merton A Zen Life:
D.T. Suzuki
Finding Hope in a Time of Despair VANCOUVER CONFERENCE – Sat.
Mar. 3, 9 am – 5 pm Sponsored by the Thomas Merton Society of Canada & Canadian
Memorial Church Morning & afternoon plenary talks; nine concurrent
sessions CLICK HERE: Conference Description and Speakers & Topics Spiritual Awakenings: Finding
God in Nature The Birds
Ask: ‘Is it Time to Be?’ Signs
of Peace: The Interfaith Letters of Thomas Merton Finding Hope in a Time of Despair TORONTO CONFERENCE MERTON
@ VANCOUVER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY'S CHALMERS SUMMER SCHOOL 2007 2007 FALL PROGRAM SNAPSHOT Thomas Merton's Cold War Letters:
A Call to Be Peacemakers FALL RETREAT Bridges to Contemplative Living Cost: $90 / $85 TMSC members (includes lunch & Entering the School of Your Experience, Vol. 1 of the series, Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton.) Registration: Contact Susan Cowan, Community Relations Director, at 604-669-2546 or tmsc@telus.net. Retreat limit: 20 people. Co-sponsored by the Thomas Merton Society of Canada & St. Francis-in-the-Wood Anglican Church.
Free Public Talk and "Meet the Author" Event Mon. Nov. 5, 2007, 7:30 pm THURS. JAN. 17, 2008 7:30 PM In a time when religion is seen as the source of terror and violence, we forget that thoughtful, reflective belief remains the only viable bulwark against inhumanity. Lynn Szabo and Jens Zimmermann will discuss two Christians who have thought deeply about religion in turbulent times, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Thomas Merton. Lynn Szabo is Associate Professor and Chair of the English Department at Trinity Western University. Professor Jens Zimmermann is Canada Research Chair in Interpretation, Religion, and Culture at Trinity Western University.
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