Day Retreat
Discover a Hidden Wholeness with Thomas Merton: Explore and Deepen Your Spirituality in Creativity
| Date: | Saturday, 20th May 2023 |
| Time: | 9:30am - 3:30pm |
| Location: | Monastery Guesthouse |
| Price: | $70 |
Spirituality with Thomas Merton
One-Day Retreats
“In one sense, we are always traveling, and traveling as if we did not know where we were going. In another sense we have already arrived. (...) But oh! How far have I to go to find You in Whom I have already arrived!”
~ Thomas Merton, The Seven Storey Mountain
New Norcia is hosting a series of one-day retreats in 2023 conducted by Sylvia Grevel, a creative, theologian, writer and researcher on Christian spirituality. The retreats days will be based on the writings of Thomas Merton. Merton was a Trappist monk, who wrote countless books and articles on the spiritual journey within the context of our Christian traditions. He also engaged deeply and fruitfully with other religious systems and the creative arts.
Saturday 20 May 2023
Discover a Hidden Wholeness
Explore and Deepen your Spirituality in Creativity
Thomas Merton is quite often seen as, and referred to as a monk-artist. He is best known as a writer (of essays, spiritual letters and journals, and poems). But in recent years there has been more attention to his development as an artist. Being the son of two artists, he was always sensitive to art. But later in life he became an accomplished photographer and visual artist (drawing and calligraphy).
In recent years his excellent eye behind the camera has been showcased in Beholding Paradise. The Photographs of Thomas Merton. His abundant poems are collected in a six centimeter thick book.
There are two constants in Merton’s reflections on art, the inclusive and unifying effect of art, and the emphasis on the connection of art to seeing ‘a hidden wholeness’, a Mystery hidden yet revealed. By the arts we are invited into the divine mystery, and to be part of it.
On this retreat-day we will have a brief introduction to Thomas Merton, the spiritual guide and artist. The other sessions will be spent on different ways to connect our personal spirituality, imagination, with creative expression: writing, photography, drawing, painting.
There is absolutely no need of knowledge and art skill required to attend. You will be guided by Emma Tucek (art therapist), and Sylvia Grevel (retreat leader). Please bring your own art materials for you to explore the creative material we have lined up for you i.e. journal, camera, writing/drawing and painting kit.
Details
The retreats will be held in the Monastery Guesthouse, from 9.30am - 3.30pm, with morning and afternoon tea and lunch included.
The reading texts for the day will be provided.
The cost is $70 per day, with numbers limited to 20.