Led by Dr Stefan Gillow Reynolds

This retreat will explore the twentieth century mystic and writer, Thomas Merton: his journey from a wild youth into Cistercian monastic life, his calling to solitude alongside a growing awareness of social injustice, his love of Ecumenism and willingness to learn from nonconformist Protestants like the Shakers, his belief in contemplation and his opposition to war, his life as an artist moving from religious writing to journalling, poetry, photography and drawing, his exploration of the mystical roots of Christianity and his openness to the wisdom traditions of other religions. We will journey with him into contemplation having times of silence and prayer, sharing and solitude.

Arrive in time for supper at 7pm on Friday and depart by 3pm on Sunday.

Cost:

Standard: £250

En-suite: £270

Day guest: £135 (includes lunch)

Dr Stefan Gillow Reynolds is the World Community for Christian Meditation Oblate co-ordinator for Ireland and co-ordinator of the Cistercian Associates of St Mary's Abbey Glencairn. With his wife he organises Art & Architecture tours in Europe. He is author of the WCCM online 'Roots of Christian Mysticism' course and two books: 'Living with the Mind of Christ: Mindfulness in Christian Spirituality' (DLT, 2016) and 'The Wisdom of Love in the Song of Songs' (Hikari, 2018). In his free time he gardens, grows vegetables and writes poetry and Icons.