The first talk will address the interior life of prayer which Merton called “a consciousness of one’s union with God” and focus  on Merton’s 1966 letter to Abdul Aziz, the only time he spoke of his own prayer practice and his letters to Etta Gullick (who worked with Ordinands at St Stephen’s in Oxford).The second talk  will address living the contemplative life of prayer in the world. 

There will be 2 hand outs for each talk: an outline of the talk and some texts from Merton to contemplate in the quiet time provided after the talks. The day with close with Q & A and reflection thereon.