The Queen of Angels Monastery will host “Engaged Spirituality: East and West, Meditating with Thich Nhat Hanh and Thomas Merton” presented by Peggy Lindquist and Terry Moe, Sept. 24.
On May 28, 1966 two monks from separate corners of the world met. Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist Zen Master in the Order of Interbeing, on a visit to the United States sponsored by Fellowship of Reconciliation traveled to meet Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk and priest. They met at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky where Thomas Merton, then 51 years old, embraced Thich Nhat Hanh. then 39, as a brother.
“I have said Nhat Hanh is my brother, and it is true. We are both monks, and we have lived the monastic life about the same number of years. We are both poets, both existentialists. I have far more in common with Nhat Hanh than I have with many Americans, and I do not hesitate to say it.”
This day retreat offers: spiritual practices from their respective traditions, reflections on their lives and writings, focus on the meaning of their meeting and subsequent teachings, and an invitation for personal and collective discernment around the practices of an engaged spirituality.
The all day retreat runs 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. It takes place in the Chapel. Fee is $65 which includes lunch. Scholarships are available.
On Oct. 8 the monastery will host “Exploring the Willamette Valley at Queen of Angels Monastery” presented by Gay Gomez, PhD.
This outdoor retreat runs 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., outdoors and in the Chapter Room. It will provide a guided bird hike in the morning and a tree/flower hike in the afternoon on the grounds of Queen of Angels Monastery. Fee is $50, includes lunch, and scholarships are available.
Gomez is a retired professor of Geography, naturalist guide and author of two books on coastal wetlands. To register or learn more about either of these retreats, call 503-845-2556 or email [email protected].
