In the next meeting of the Thomas Merton Society of Grand Rapids we will discuss prayer – as Thomas Merton understood it, and as he wrote about it in his important and influential book New Seeds of Contemplation.
If you don’t yet have a copy of New Seeds of Contemplation, you can buy one at Baker Book House.
Fr. Patrick, one of our regular members, suggested the following chapters to read in Merton’s book, along with this rationale as to why:
Prayer [is] the natural follow-up to our meetings on contemplation. How does one become more contemplative and consciousness in living? Answer: deepen prayer.
Read chapters 29, 30, 33, 34.
Then I suggest we all end by reading the final chapter, “The General Dance.”
A suggestion: in advance of our January meeting, invite each participant to bring from the above chapters some sentences and/or paragraphs on prayer that were particularly “true” and “helpful” and “challenging” for them and tell us why. Also ask each participant to tell how those Merton words challenge and change their own prayer.
An excellent study outline!
Hope to see you on January 4th. Same time (7pm). Same place (Baker Book House in Grand Rapids, Michigan).
The public is welcome. There is no charge.
NOTE: you can download a pdf of our promotional flyer here. Print it out and put it up here and there. Or e-mail it to interested friends and family members.
Thank you!