Weekend Retreat: Thomas Merton on Contemplative Prayer – David M. Odorisio – Krotona Institute

This weekend retreat on Thomas Merton and contemplative prayer is led by David M. Odorisio, PhD, at the Krotona Institute of Theosophy in Ojai, California. It is a contemplative teaching retreat for anyone drawn to Merton's writing on prayer, silence and the inner life, and it can be joined onsite or by Zoom.

What to Expect

The retreat runs across a weekend in five sessions. It opens on Friday evening from 7 to 8:30 pm. On Saturday there are two sessions, from 10 am to noon and from 2 to 4 pm, and the weekend closes on Sunday from 10 am to noon. The pace leaves room between sessions for rest and reflection.

The focus is Thomas Merton (1915-1968), the writer and contemplative whose work on prayer has reached readers well beyond his own tradition. Sessions can be attended singly or as a full series, so you may come for the whole weekend or for a single session that suits you.

About David M. Odorisio

David M. Odorisio, PhD, leads the weekend and brings his scholarly study of Merton to the program. He teaches here in a setting that has long hosted wisdom teachings from many traditions.

The Setting

Krotona Institute of Theosophy sits in Ojai, California, a town in Ventura County known as a gathering place for spiritual study and retreat. Krotona is a Theosophical center, with a library, a school and a guesthouse on its grounds. Its programs, from weekend workshops to evening series, draw on the world's philosophies and religions, so a Christian contemplative like Merton fits comfortably into its calendar of teachings.

The Zoom option allows participation from home for those who cannot travel to Ojai.

Before You Go

No prior experience is stated as a requirement, and the retreat is open to anyone interested in contemplative prayer and in Merton's thought. Sessions are offered in English. Choose onsite or Zoom when you register. Because the schedule is split into short blocks, it works well for people who want a full weekend of reflection as well as those who can only attend part of it.