International Thomas Merton Society

Bellarmine University

Call for Papers Call for Papers Call for Papers

for the

Eleventh Conference and General Meeting

The Eleventh General Meeting of the International Thomas Merton Society
June 11-14, 2009
Nazareth College, Rochester, New York

Thomas Merton’s Christian faith and monastic commitment led him to explore the wisdom of other religious traditions and to develop mutually enriching relationships with people of other faiths throughout the world.  As he wrote in a letter to his Pakistani Muslim friend Abdul Aziz in 1960, “I speak to you from my heart of our obligation to study the truth in deep prayer and meditation, and bear witness to the light that comes from the All-Holy God into this world of darkness where He is not known and not remembered.  The world we live in has become an awful void, a desecrated sanctuary, reflecting outwardly the emptiness and blindness of the hearts of men who have gone crazy with their love for money and power and with pride in their technology.”  It is the common duty of all people of faith, Merton concludes, to open the eyes of others to the light of Truth (Hidden Ground of Love). The Eleventh General Meeting of the International Thomas Merton Society will focus particularly on the ways in which Merton serves as a model of creative interreligious dialogue and witnesses to its importance in building a world in which the dignity of every person is respected and nurtured.

Proposals are invited for presentations on Merton’s life and work, particularly those related to the conference theme.  Session formats include:

1. Scholarly Papers on topics such as (but not limited to): Merton and interfaith dialogue; Merton’s ecumenical vision; Merton’s insights for contemporary crises; Merton’s discovery of global wisdom; Merton and the challenges of technology; Merton and the environment; Merton and Gandhi; Merton and Hindu thought; Merton and Heschel; Merton and Schachter; Merton and Judaism; Merton and Abdul Aziz; Merton and Massignon; Merton and Sufism; Merton and the Dalai Lama; Merton and Thich Nhat Hanh; Merton and Buddhism; Merton and John Wu; Merton and Taoism; Merton and Confucianism; Merton’s Asian Journey. 

2. Workshops on Merton themes (especially those mentioned above) designed to promote audience participation.

3. Creative/Dramatic Presentations using music, poetry, dance or other media to provide insight into aspects of Merton’s life or work related to the conference theme (especially those mentioned above).

4. Guided Meditation/Prayer Sessions, particularly those using Merton’s own writings as a framework for prayer and meditative reflection.            

Please note:

• Scholarly papers should be designed for presentation in twenty minutes (8-10 double-spaced pages, maximum).
• Workshops and creative presentations should be designed for a ninety-minute session.

Proposals, of no more than 250 words, accompanied by a short biographical identification (1-2 sentences), should be submitted by May 1, 2008 by e-mail attachment to: [email protected]; or by mail to ITMS 2009, Thomas Merton Center, Bellarmine University, 2001 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY 40205.

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