Because we are approaching the end of the year, and there is a great deal to do at the ashram, we are keeping our class schedule light for the next few months. We will have only one Movie Night this month, but it will explore the life and thought of one of the most important figures in contemporary spiritual philosophy, Thomas Merton. Merton, who was a Trappist monk in an austere monastery in Kentucky, transcended all sectarian perspectives in his profound spiritual search. He integrated mystical Christianity with the teachings of Zen; spoke out in support of social justice during the civil rights movement of the sixties; strongly advocated non-violent solutions to problems at every level; and spoke out especially forcefully against the Vietnam War. We will try to understand the subtle inner events that led to Merton's untimely death in Thailand during his physical pilgrimage to the East. The life of Thomas Merton holds many messages for us all. We hope you will join us for this extraordinary documentary.

In conjunction with the film, in our Advanced Class we will be reading and discussing one of Merton's important books, New Seeds of Contemplation. Advanced students may order a copy of the book from our office.

Please see the attached calendar for the dates of the above-named events.

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Tropical Harvest Thanks-Giving Course

• Refueling in the Blissful Self - 10.21.10 
• Belief in God - 10.14.10 
• The Ego Has Two Types of VD - 09.30.10 
• The Self-Referential Ego Paradox: Drama or Dharma? - 09.23.10 
• The Subtlety of Stillness & Silence - 09.16.10 

• Fear & Purification - 10.21.10
• Freedom from Choice - 10.21.10
• The Brain is a Transceiver of Consciousness - 10.14.10
• The Mind Creates the Body? - 10.14.10
• Object Constancy - 10.14.10
• Vampirism - 09.30.10
• Admitting the Need for Help - 09.30.10