In the late 1980’s there was a growing contemplative – new consciousness movement across Canada led by people like Bishop Leonard Crowley, Dom John Main, Dom Lawrence Freeman and Brother Embert van Tilburg. Its roots were firmly planted in the works of 5th century writings of John Cassian and the desert fathers and mothers and was reinvigorated by the meditative practices rediscovered in the east by favorite authors of Charles Brandt such as Bede Griffiths, Thomas Merton and Hugo Enomiya-LaSalle. Father Charles corresponded with several of these trail blazers, travelled to Bede’s Shantivanum ashram and played an instrumental role in bringing these meditation practices to Vancouver Island.
