Day Retreat: Exploring Unity

The deepest level of communication is not communication, but communion.  It is wordless.  It is beyond words.  It is beyond speech, and it is beyond concept.  Not that we discover a new unity.  We discover an older unity.  My dear Brothers and Sisters, we are already one.  But we imagine that we are not.  And what we have to recover is our original unity.  What we have to be is what we are. (The Asian Journal of Thomas Merton)

The nest day retreat of the Merton Fellowship will be held at Tobar Mhuire, the Passionist Monastery in Crossgar, Co. Down (website: http://www.tobarmhuirecrossgar.com/) on Saturday 2nd June 2012 from 10am to 4pm.  The cost of the retreat will depend on final numbers, but will be in the region of £15 per person (and including teas/coffee and a light lunch).

The topic of the retreat will be ‘Exploring Unity’; there will be time during the day for discussion, walking, silence and group prayer/meditation.

As always, our retreats are open to all.

Should you require and further information, or to book your place, please contact me via e-mail at: s.peddie@pattersonpeddie.com.

Peace and blessings, Scott

No Need For Words

I’ve put together a short meditation entitled ‘No Need For Words‘ – the title speaks for itself.  Sometimes we feel compelled to talk too much and to think too much, when in fact what we really need is to sit back and observe. Here it is:

No Need For Words.

 

Merton and the Dalai Lama

Here is an interesting short piece on Merton and his relationship with the Dalai Lama, including an interview with the latter. A real example of substantive inter-faith dialogue:

Launch Event Cancelled

Dear Friends – due to illness, I’m afraid that it has been necessary to cancel the Merton Fellowship launch event scheduled for December 10th 2011 at Corrymeela Ballycastle.  Those who have already booked their place will be reimbursed by Corrymeela in the near future.  I am very sorry for the inconvenience caused.  I hope to be able to reschedule the event for a date in 2012.  Again, I will keep you updated via this website.  Thank you for your understanding.  Peace and blessings, Scott

Forest Contemplation with Thomas Merton

I’ve uploaded a short meditation to youtube containing some of Merton’s thoughts on nature……………………..I hope you like it!  God bless, Scott

Merton on Holiness

I’ve uploaded to youtube a short piece in which Merton discusses the concept of holiness and how it manifests itself in certain individuals.  You can listen to it here:

‘Stranger’

I’ve put together this short poetic meditation; the poem is ‘Stranger’, a beautiful composition by Merton:

Register Now for our Launch Event!

Thomas Merton had an amazing ability to speak to people across the denominations and also across faiths.  A major focus of his life and work related to contemplative prayer and peace, therefore it is fitting that we are establishing a group in Ireland with a view to promoting and nurturing these twin ideals.  We are delighted to be partnering with the Corrymeela Community to launch this group and we hope to hold regular retreats in Ballycastle, as well as smaller, local meetings, in the months and years ahead.

Bookings are now being taken for the launch event, which will run from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 10th December 2011 at the Corrymeela Community’s Ballycastle Centre, and which costs £25 per delegate (inclusive of lunch and refreshments throughout the day).  There is a concessionary rate for those who are unwaged.  Contact Matt at openevents@corrymeela.org or 02820761726 for further information and delegate registration.

Join Our Facebook Page!

You can now join our facebook page by visiting our website and clicking on the facebook link on the right-hand side (just below the picture of Merton!).  We’ll be using facebook (in conjunction with this website) from now on to help keep our followers and members up-to-date with our activities.  God bless, Scott

Meditation: ‘The heavens are telling the glory of God’

One of my favourite verses from the book of Psalms – ‘The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork‘ is the basis for a meditation I’ve put together and posted on youtube.  The musical accompaniment is by the monks of the Abbey of Gethsemani, Merton’s home for many years.  Peace and blessings, Scott