The Thomas Merton Spiritual Development Program (SDP)
edited by Terry Taylor and Robert G. Toth, introduces Merton's life including his contemplative spirituality, his social justice work, and his pioneering interfaith dialogue through activities, readings, questions for review and discussion, and a DVD by Paul Wilkes.
A Faith Formation Tool
- Invites participants to actively reflection upon their spiritual journeys
- Evokes self-discovery patterned on Merton’s approach to developing the whole person
- Encourages concern for others as part of their personal prayer and contemplation
Thomas Merton viewed contemplative life as an essential foundation and support for the active life — a critical element in the living life fully.
The Thomas Merton Spiritual Development Program is easy to use:
- Resource materials offer facilitator support
- Discussion questions, video study guide, and reproducible materials
- Lessons and activities are supported in the Participant Journal-Workbook
- Suitable for all faiths
- Contains a wealth of information on Merton's life, writings, and work
- Flexible with complete lesson plans and suggestions for alternative lesson plans
- Easily adapted to four-week, six-week, or eight-week sessions
- Convenient, easy-to-use tabbed format
Thomas Merton Spiritual Development Program includes facilitators resource materials, a participant’s journal, Merton: A Film Biography by Paul Wilkes (DVD).
The journal-workbook encourages active participation based on four major themes
- Biography — participants connect to Merton’s difficult childhood, youthful rebellion, and search for meaning
- Spirituality — contemplative spirituality presented as an easily understandable, practicable path practice
- Social Justice — connects the personal spiritual life to our responsibility for other people
- Inter-religious Dialogue — sets the stage for open communication with all