Meath Conlan, Ph.D. Director, Diverse Journeys

The longing of every human being to love and be loved arises from an even deeper yearning to experience intimacy with the Absolute. My role as a Spiritual Director is to help others become more conscious of their unique relationship with the Divine, and to guide them in developing personally meaningful practices that cultivate and deepen this relationship. This is also the main thrust of my tours to places of cultural and spiritual richness.

Over the past 30 years, I have counselled hundreds of men and women from all walks of life. Almost without exception, they report coming away with a greater sense of inner peace and purpose.

I warmly invite individuals of any race, ethnicity, gender, orientation, marital status, or religious affiliation to share the spiritual path with me, whether in private counselling or through participation in one of my spiritual tours, in an atmosphere of unconditional acceptance, mutual respect, and friendship.

Education & Awards
By way of background, I'm Australian-born and completed my philosophy and theology studies in Adelaide . Over the years I travelled widely, and met many people from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. I studied with my mentor and friend Bede Griffiths, and through him my spiritual outlook expanded to embrace all faith traditions.

Intent on learning more about the perennial wisdom of Eastern and Western mysticism and practical spirituality, I earned a Master of Arts (honours) degree in Religious Education from Fordham University in New York , and later a Doctorate from the University of South Australia in Adelaide .

Along the way, I have been fortunate to receive several awards, including the Centenary Scholarship from Fordham University , the Australian Post Graduate Research Award from the University of South Australia , and the Award for Excellence in Religious Writing from the Australasian Association of Religious Publishers.

Professional Activities
My professional activities over the years have included.

•  Founding and directing the Worldwide Marriage Encounter Program in Western Australia , a model of marriage enrichment that is emulated in numerous churches around the world.

•  Teaching as a core faculty member of the Australian Transpersonal Institute and Association.

•  Assisting the conducting of seminars on corporate and managerial ethics through The Centre of International Leadership in Washington DC for The World Bank.

•  Hosting the national weekly ABC "Compass" television series, "World of Worship," which featured stories of faith from the Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist and other religious traditions.

•  Leading extended retreats for a wide variety of organizations and groups to Australia , South Africa , Pakistan , India , Tibet , Nepal , Thailand , and the USA.

•  Serving for a number of years as the Australian Contact and Liaison of the North American Board for East-West Dialog (now Monastic Interreligious Dialogue) and Dialogue Interreligieux Monastique.

•  During the 1980's, appointed by H. H. the XIV Dalai Lama, to deliver lectures on the Western contemplative tradition to Tibetan Buddhist Monks and Nuns in the Himalayas.

Memberships & Affiliations
I have been on the Board of the Bede Griffiths International Literary Trust for over ten years. I am an active member of Spiritual Directors International and the Australian Network of Spiritual Directors, and am also a member of Midlife Directions Inc.

For more information or a detailed itinerary of Diverse Journeys’ coming tours, please contact us today: drconlan@diversejourneys.net