Weekend Retreat: Thomas Merton on Contemplative Prayer

Thomas Merton, the twentieth-century Trappist monk whose writings shaped contemporary monasticism and Christian contemplation, remains a steady voice for those seeking to understand the interior life. His work cuts through surface noise to address the gap between our public selves and an inward silence marked by honesty, compassion, and what he termed authentic prayer.

This weekend retreat, led by scholar David M. Odorisio, PhD, draws from two of Merton's central texts: New Seeds of Contemplation and Contemplative Prayer. Rather than treating these as intellectual monuments, the retreat invites participants to sit with Merton's ideas through guided contemplative sessions, group discussion, and periods of silence. Reading the books beforehand is suggested but not required. The facilitator weaves extensive passages throughout to ground the work and illuminate how Merton understood the contemplative life as both spiritual practice and way of being in the world.

Over three days, participants explore what Merton meant by authentic prayer, the restoration of inner quiet, and the possibility of encountering a deeper aspect of oneself beneath the armor of social persona. The retreat does not require adherence to any particular faith. Rather, it frames Merton's contemplative vision as a universal inquiry into what silence and prayer offer the contemporary soul.

The space welcomes participants from Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, secular, and other backgrounds. Some arrive with familiarity with Merton's work. Others come as newcomers. Both in-person and Zoom attendance are available.