Bob Hesse, PhD., Co-Founder and Chairman of Contemplative Network, is a permanent Catholic deacon of the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese. He was inspired by Fr. Thomas Merton after attending a retreat at Gethsemane Trappist monastery. He was  appointed by his mentor, Fr. Thomas Keating, as a Commissioned Presenter of Contemplative Outreach Ltd. (COL). Hesse and Dr. Kimball Kehoe were encouraged by Keating to form Contemplative Network to support interfaith dialogue and medical research into the effects of Oneness Prayer on healing.

 

Hesse is the author of Faith and Science: A Journey into God’s Mystical Love , which is receiving international attention. He uses the book as a text for a graduate class in Faith and Science. Anonymous instructor evaluations described the class as “… a remarkable course, one that has given me much to think about and sparked deep personal and spiritual growth.” And “… Dr. Hesse’s  book and presentations on Faith and Science has helped me to see …the integration of the human person with nature and divinity.” At the request of his publisher, Crossroad Publishing, and encouragement from people sharing the book in various adult-study programs, he developed a companion Teachers’ Guide.

 

Hesse has traveled extensively, visiting over 100 countries on all seven continents. He is currently writing a second book sharing stories of his adventures and the lessons learned interacting with fascinating people while experiencing the wonders of God’s creation. Face to Face: True Divine Encounters in God’s Earthly Kingdom, is the second book of a planned trilogy.

 

With degrees in both, Hesse has given numerous international and interfaith presentations, retreats and courses on faith and science and contemplative prayer. He has sponsored scientific studies on and  contributed to the limited existing knowledge of the healing effects of contemplative prayer. He is available for in-person and Zoom interviews, presentations and seminars. Contact him at rjh@contemplative.net with a copy to his agent at editor@contemplative.net.