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Thomas Merton
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Thomas Merton - Spiritual Direction and Meditation Kindle Edition
by Thomas Merton (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
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This early work by Anglo-American Catholic writer Thomas Merton is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. It contains a wealth of information on spiritual direction and how to learn the art of meditation. This fascinating work is thoroughly recommended for anyone with an interest in spiritual life. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
Print length
114 pages
Language
English
Publisher
Kiefer Press
Publication date
9 January 2013
Product description
From the Back Cover
This booklet contains revised and expanded versions of the material on spiritual direction and meditation which appeared, in installments, in the magazine 'Sponsa Regis'. --This text refers to the paperback edition.
About the Author
Thomas Merton (1915-1968), Catholic convert, Cistercian monk and hermit, poet, contemplative, social critic, and pioneer of interreligious dialogue, was a seminal figure of twentieth-century American Christianity.--This text refers to the paperback edition.
Product details
ASIN : B00AYXMJVQ
Publisher : Kiefer Press (9 January 2013)
Print length : 114 pagesBest Sellers Rank: 114,734 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)17 in Monasticism
About the author
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Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton (1915-1968) is arguably the most influential American Catholic author of the twentieth century. His autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, has millions of copies and has been translated into over fifteen languages. He wrote over sixty other books and hundreds of poems and articles on topics ranging from monastic spirituality to civil rights, nonviolence, and the nuclear arms race.
After a rambunctious youth and adolescence, Merton converted to Roman Catholicism and entered the Abbey of Gethsemani, a community of monks belonging to the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists), the most ascetic Roman Catholic monastic order.
The twenty-seven years he spent in Gethsemani brought about profound changes in his self-understanding. This ongoing conversion impelled him into the political arena, where he became, according to Daniel Berrigan, the conscience of the peace movement of the 1960's. Referring to race and peace as the two most urgent issues of our time, Merton was a strong supporter of the nonviolent civil rights movement, which he called "certainly the greatest example of Christian faith in action in the social history of the United States." For his social activism Merton endured severe criticism, from Catholics and non-Catholics alike, who assailed his political writings as unbecoming of a monk.
During his last years, he became deeply interested in Asian religions, particularly Zen Buddhism, and in promoting East-West dialogue. After several meetings with Merton during the American monk's trip to the Far East in 1968, the Dali Lama praised him as having a more profound understanding of Buddhism than any other Christian he had known. It was during this trip to a conference on East-West monastic dialogue that Merton died, in Bangkok on December 10, 1968, the victim of an accidental electrocution. The date marked the twenty-seventh anniversary of his entrance to Gethsemani.
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from Australia
Louise Kelly
5.0 out of 5 stars Thomas Merton work is mystical and prayfulReviewed in Australia on 12 October 2019
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Thomas Merton helped me revert and fall back in love with my theological roots. I aim to read everything he has written. I seeking to the Eastern traditions looking for truths that were in Christian mysticism all the time.
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Jonathan McKeown
5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable bookReviewed in Australia on 6 June 2021
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Full of practical wisdom and helpful insights for anyone interested in deepening their spiritual life. Merton’s writings are a real treasure and this book is no exception
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Pierre Whalon
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing resource for spirituality — a classic.Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 May 2016
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Thomas Merton, the prolific Trappist monk, was once an Episcopalian, and then converted. (I did the opposite.) He became a foremost spiritual writer, and a sought-after spiritual director. This type of counselor advises on the life of prayer, and the affections we bear toward God and one's self. This little book is one of the most practical, powerful guides to the inner life, and to have it so readily available, at such a price, is a great blessing.
Yes, blessing. You will be blessed by Merton's sage, wry counsel. He pulls no punches, least of all with himself. You shouldn't, either — humility is, after all, where the spiritual life begins.
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RAH
5.0 out of 5 stars Merton at his bestReviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 June 2010
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This short, eminently pocketable book is the perfect manual for anyone wanting to guide others in an approach to the spiritual life. Free of Merton's occasional over-writing (sentimental comments, "romantic" phraseology), it is incisive, lucid and very much to the point. I have used it in formation classes with both laity and religious, and warmly recommend it.
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lexie morrison
3.0 out of 5 stars Information and ease of readingReviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 September 2019
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Hard to read, understand. Not the best book i bought but some good points
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PH
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsReviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 July 2015
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A clear, thoughtful and eminently understandable approach to spiritual direction.
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Caroline D
5.0 out of 5 stars Good readingReviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 August 2014
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Great book
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