Map to Thursday San Diego Thomas Merton Society Meetings

The San Diego Thomas Merton Society meets promptly at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday, at Saint Brigid Catholic Church, 4735 Cass Street, in the Pacific Beach neighborhood of San Diego. All are welcome, from any faith tradition.

The second Thursday of the month features a light meal and free-wheeling social discussion, followed by chapter business (such as planning for upcoming retreats) and a brief discussion of one of Thomas Merton's numerous books. We conclude by 7:45 p.m. All other Thursday meetings consist of two 20-minute sessions of silent, centering prayer.

Take Garnet Avenue west, and then head north on Cass Street to St. Brigid Church, between Diamond Street and Missouri Street - park in the back, next to the church. We meet on the second floor above the parish hall, Room 3B.

Saint Brigid Parish, corner of Diamond Street and Cass Street

About Contemplative (Centering) Prayer

Every Thursday of the month, except the second Thursday, our meetings consist solely of two 20-minute sessions of silent meditation, interspersed with a brief meditative walk. All of this is conducted in two adjacent rooms on the second floor above the St. Brigid parish lounge (see the other side for directions to the church). Those from all faith traditions are welcome.

We start promptly at 6:30 p.m., so try to arrive a little early. If you're late, quietly join the group.

• Take off your shoes in the outer room, before entering our contemplative prayer space, where we have chairs set up and subdued lighting.
• No talking when you enter the contemplative prayer space, please. At 6:30 sharp, the leader strikes the gong, signaling the beginning of the first 20-minute silent meditation. Referred to by Thomas Merton as "centering prayer," this is an opportunity to clear your mind of the "clutter" of the day's concerns. Most use a word or phrase to return to when their mind is distracted, such as "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). This is a chance to quietly be open to God's will, rather than our own.
• After 20 minutes, the leader strikes the gong and we await his hand clap to stand up and bow. Then we walk around the room together in slow, deliberate steps. Finally we have one last 20-minute silent contemplative prayer session, and conclude.
• At the conclusion of the second silent prayer session, after the gong, all leave in silence.

	Click to go to the ITMS online application. A subscription to The Merton Seasonal is just one benefit of membership.

Cost and Benefits of ITMS Membership

ITMS membership is $25 annually. In addition to supporting the Society's goals, your membership brings you The Merton Seasonal, a quarterly journal devoted to Merton's writings, and a special ITMS discount rate on purchase of The Merton Annual.

Members are entitled to reduced rates for General Meetings and have access to the rich collection of Merton manuscripts, photos, drawings, and memorabilia at the Thomas Merton Center in the W.L. Lyons Brown Library at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky.