Robert J. Hesse, Ph.D.
Bob Hesse, PhD., President & CEO, is a permanent Catholic deacon of the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese and co-founder of Contemplative Network. He was inspired by Trappist Fr. Thomas Merton while on a retreat at Gethsemani Trappist monastery. Later he was appointed by Trappist Fr. Thomas Keating as a Commissioned Presenter of Contemplative Outreach Ltd. (COL). In response to an invitation by the Dalai Lama to Keating, Hesse was Keating’s emissary to the first COL dialogue with the Mind & Life Institute.
Hesse is retired Vice Chairman and current faculty member of the interfaith Institute for Spirituality and Health. He is Adjunct Professor at the University of St. Thomas and faculty member of the Magis Center and Spiritual Direction Institute at the Emmaus Spirituality Center. He has given numerous international and interfaith presentations, retreats and courses on contemplative prayer and Faith and Science, having degrees in both. Hesse is available for interviews, presentations and seminars. Contact him at rjh@contemplative.net.