Our Core Belief: The transformation of how we view
our relationships with ourselves, others, nature, and God
is essential to sustaining life, as we know it, on this planet.
This transformation occurs when we live contemplatively.
 

 

2010 has been a year of contemplation in action at The Merton Institute!
 
Through the generous support of our contemplative community
 

  • 10,000 people receive our email reflections - are you among those who receive our contemplative reflections? If not, sign up now.
  • The 10th volume of the Bridges to Contemplative Living series - Advent and Christmas was published. 
  • A Bridges to Contemplative Living DVD was produced.
  • Through the Contemplative Leadership initiative, leaders integrate contemplative philosophy into their leadership styles.
  • The local community helped us to discern the use of The Abbey of Gethsemani's gift of 40 acres. 
  • On March 18th, we celebrated Merton's Epiphany experience by sharing the epiphany stories of members of our contemplative living community.
  • Our online presence features a new website (www.mertoninstitute.org), a facebook page, and videos available on youtube.
  • The number of our online contemplative living resources continues to grow.

Our priority in all this activity has been to bring greater awareness to how we view our relationships. We facilitate this awareness through the contemplative living resources we share with thousands of people across the globe.
 
As with most things in life, our success has come with a struggle. While many contribute generously to our mission, a gap exists between our expenses and our revenue. In order to fully develop several of our programs we need your support. With your support we will further our mission by developing these contemplative living programs. 
 
We invite you to help us continue our vibrant and vital mission!
 
Thank you for being a partner in our work.

Vanessa F. Hurst
Executive Director


 
 

MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
 
Thomas Merton
copyright Abbey of Gethsemani