Robert Hesse Ph.D. is a permanent Catholic deacon. He is Co-founder
and President of Contemplative Network, dedicated to interdenominational
Christian contemplative prayer teaching, scientific research and interfaith
dialogue. He was inspired by Trappist Monk, Fr. Thomas Merton, while
on retreat at Gethsemani Trappist monastery. Later he was appointed by
Trappist Fr. Thomas Keating, Commissioned Presenter of Contemplative
Outreach Ltd. (COL) and Keating’s emissary to the first COL dialogue
with the Mind & Life Institute, in response to an invitation by The Dalai
Lama to Keating.