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Thomas Merton on Sufism CD-ROM – Audiobook
by Thomas Merton (Author), Fr. Anthony Ciorra (Foreword, Narrator)
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In the twentieth century, Thomas Merton, one of Christianity’s great mystics, encountered the ancient Eastern mystical tradition known as Sufism. The result was an outpouring of mystical insight and spiritual wisdom. In these talks, you will discover what first electrified Merton. The Sufi mystics have given us one of the world’s most read poets, Rumi, the beautiful mystical dance of whirling dervishes, interreligious insight, and new forms of contemplation. A visionary who sought to synthesize the best of Eastern and Western spiritualities, Thomas Merton’s profound interest in the Sufi mystics is more relevant today than ever. Merton explores the contemplative wisdom of Sufism to enhance our Christian understanding of mysticism and spiritual practice. In one of his talks to the novices at Gethsemani, he said, “The Sufis are seeking to know God and have ways of seeking to know God, and this should have some success with us. . . . We should be closer to the Sufis.” In these talks, you will watch the development of Merton’s spirituality as he moved towards a greater understanding of interreligious dialogue. Merton believed that the Sufis had much to teach us about prayer, mysticism, and contemplation. Merton will bring you to new and exciting places as he reflects on Sufism and the mystical life. What Merton taught in the mid-twentieth century is prophetic for spiritual seekers in the contemporary world. Topic Titles Introduction by Fr. Anthony Ciorra, Ph.D. Introduction to Sufi Thought (4/23/1967) Knowledge of God (4/30/1967) God in Creation (5/14/1967) The Straight Path (5/21/1967) Finding Direction (6/18/1967) Satisfaction in Asceticism: States and Stations (7/2/1967) Awakening to Repentance (7/16/1967) Navigating States of Asceticism (9/10/1967) The Lucidity of Poverty (9/17/1967) Spiritual Trial (10/8/1967) Loss and Identity (10/15/1967) Mystical Awareness (11/12/1967) Obstacles to Mystical Awareness (11/19/1967)
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Sample
Thomas Merton on Sufism
By: Thomas Merton
Narrated by: Thomas Merton
Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 (27 ratings)
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Pick 1 title (2 titles for Prime members) from our collection of bestsellers and new releases.
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Listeners also enjoyed...
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Publisher's Summary
In the 20th century, Thomas Merton, one of Christianity's great mystics, encountered the ancient Eastern mystical tradition known as Sufism. The result was an outpouring of mystical insight and spiritual wisdom.
In these talks, you will discover what first electrified Merton. The Sufi mystics have given us one of the world's most-read poets, Rumi; the beautiful mystical dance of whirling dervishes; interreligious insight; and new forms of contemplation. A visionary who sought to synthesize the best of Eastern and Western spiritualities, Thomas Merton's profound interest in the Sufi mystics is more relevant today than ever.
Merton explores the contemplative wisdom of Sufism to enhance our Christian understanding of mysticism and spiritual practice. In one of his talks to the novices at Gethsemani, he said, "The Sufis are seeking to know God and have ways of seeking to know God, and this should have some success with us.... We should be closer to the Sufis."
In these talks you will watch the development of Merton's spirituality as he moved toward a greater understanding of interreligious dialogue. Merton believed that the Sufis had much to teach us about prayer, mysticism, and contemplation.
Merton will bring you to new and exciting places as he reflects on Sufism and the mystical life. What Merton taught in the mid-20th century is prophetic for spiritual seekers in the contemporary world.
Photograph of Thomas Merton by Sybille Akers. Used with permission of the Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University.
©2014 Now You Know Media Inc. (P)2014 Now You Know Media Inc.
Lecture
Sufism And Islam
More from the same
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Thomas Merton on Prayer
Thomas Merton on the Twelve Steps of Humility
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The Way of Chuang Tzu (Second Edition)
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By: Thomas Merton
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By: Thomas Merton
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What listeners say about Thomas Merton on SufismAverage Customer Ratings
Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5.0
5 Stars
21
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars4.7 out of 5.0
5 Stars
19
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Story 4.5 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5.0
5 Stars
20
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
Audible.com Reviews
Amazon Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by:
Overall
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
1 out of 5 stars
Carlmmm
03-06-19
Not a good introduction to Sufism
I have loved Thomas Merton writing on Christianity, especially The Seven Storey Mountain. So I thought his take on Sufism would be kind and knowledgeable. It is a series of live lectures by Merton to monks. It is wonderful to hear him live. But his comments have numerous painful inaccuracies and misunderstandings, and, sadly, unkindnesses and oversimplifications. There are much better introductions to Sufism. Ones I have read are by Douglas-Klotz, Ernst, Vaughan-Lee, Ghazali, Helminski, and especially Rumi. Start with any of these.
6 people found this helpful
Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars
Dolores Plate
09-30-18
Thomas Merton Speaks
What a privilege to hear Merton speak on any subject! His views on Islam and Sufism are even more needed today. Thank Goodness he explored these ideas!
2 people found this helpful
Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars
Amazon Customer
03-10-23
Merton is excellent, but recording is a classroom
Very much enjoyed the recording of the seminar. Some student responses aren’t heard so the message is lost on several instances.
The good- Thomas Merton discussing mysticism across other religions is priceless. A good introduction to Sufi thought
The bad- Assuming Merton is a product of his time; his views about “the Moslems” and “the Arabs” are caricatures that are not well received in our time. I never expected Merton to be racially insensitive, but it’s hard to overlook the several times he speaks with a condescending tone
Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars
Rich S.
02-07-23
Are You Satisfied With God?
That is the question Thomas Merton answers in these lectures from 1967.
While Merton's topic is Sufism, he also presents a solution for all spiritual seekers regardless of religious beliefs.
These lectures, which are among the most dynamic Merton ever delivered, start with him boldly stating: “When you are satisfied with God, God is satisfied with you."
Then he adds: "I humbly submit that that is extremely simple."
He goes on to point out to the novice monks in his class that although simple it is very hard to do.
With his trademark good humor, he explains: “It’s perfectly easy to say I'm satisfied with you Oh Lord. Your will is what I want. Only just don’t let it rain at the end of this conference because I don’t want to get wet again."
Since we are not saints, most of us won't be able to live a life totally always satisfied with God's will for us and our world. We're likely to complain and even cuss -- "kick" in Merton's slang humor -- about how things work out for us.
For all of us complainers, Merton suggests a middle way:
"If you can be content just to be still only halfway with no assurance that tomorrow you’re going to be perfectly happy, you’ve made it. You’re already satisfied within the measure that you can be satisfied. If it’s possible for you to accept a kind of relative satisfaction, which is appropriate to your state at the moment and you’re content ... Let’s face it, most of us can just be content with the will of God provided we can kick a little bit. I can’t stop kicking completely. You can begin. Be content to start where you are.”
So you can start by listening to these lectures.
Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars
Gabriel Hancock
06-27-21
Fascinating
I really enjoyed getting to know about Sufism!
Something I’ve always wanted to know about.
Merton is a new interest of mine and I have only read him so it’s kinda cool to hear his Humor in this, I also liked hearing Someone who is a Catholic show respect and admiration for the followers of another faith. The recording is rough but still worth a listen.
Browse
Sample
Thomas Merton on Sufism
By: Thomas Merton
Narrated by: Thomas Merton
Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 (27 ratings)
Try for $0.00
Pick 1 title (2 titles for Prime members) from our collection of bestsellers and new releases.
Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks and podcasts.
Your Premium Plus plan will continue for $14.95 a month after 30-day trial. Cancel anytime.
Listeners also enjoyed...
Thomas Merton on PrayerBy: Thomas Merton
Ways of Prayer: Thomas Merton on a Desert Father's WisdomBy: Thomas Merton
Zen and the Birds of AppetiteBy: Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton on the Twelve Steps of HumilityBy: Thomas Merton
A Message of Contemplatives to the WorldBy: Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton on Solitude and TogethernessBy: Thomas Merton
The Christian in the WorldBy: Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton on Chinese & Greek PhilosophyBy: Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton on Marxism: The Spiritual and Secular WorldsBy: Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton on The Cistercians: Sages of SilenceBy: Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton on the Contemplative WayBy: Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton on the Christian LifeBy: Thomas Merton
No Man Is an IslandBy: Thomas Merton
Vatican IIBy: Thomas Merton
Finding True Meaning and BeautyBy: Thomas Merton
The Seven Storey MountainBy: Thomas Merton
The Prophet's FreedomBy: Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton on Augustine, Jerome, and Ambrose: The Philosophy of the Great Latin FathersBy: Thomas Merton1
2
3
Publisher's Summary
In the 20th century, Thomas Merton, one of Christianity's great mystics, encountered the ancient Eastern mystical tradition known as Sufism. The result was an outpouring of mystical insight and spiritual wisdom.
In these talks, you will discover what first electrified Merton. The Sufi mystics have given us one of the world's most-read poets, Rumi; the beautiful mystical dance of whirling dervishes; interreligious insight; and new forms of contemplation. A visionary who sought to synthesize the best of Eastern and Western spiritualities, Thomas Merton's profound interest in the Sufi mystics is more relevant today than ever.
Merton explores the contemplative wisdom of Sufism to enhance our Christian understanding of mysticism and spiritual practice. In one of his talks to the novices at Gethsemani, he said, "The Sufis are seeking to know God and have ways of seeking to know God, and this should have some success with us.... We should be closer to the Sufis."
In these talks you will watch the development of Merton's spirituality as he moved toward a greater understanding of interreligious dialogue. Merton believed that the Sufis had much to teach us about prayer, mysticism, and contemplation.
Merton will bring you to new and exciting places as he reflects on Sufism and the mystical life. What Merton taught in the mid-20th century is prophetic for spiritual seekers in the contemporary world.
Photograph of Thomas Merton by Sybille Akers. Used with permission of the Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University.
©2014 Now You Know Media Inc. (P)2014 Now You Know Media Inc.
Lecture
Sufism And Islam
More from the same
NarratorThomas Merton on Solitude and Togetherness
Thomas Merton on Prayer
Thomas Merton on the Twelve Steps of Humility
Related to this topic
GreenlightsBy: Matthew McConaughey
Happy PlaceBy: Emily Henry
The Last Thing He Told MeBy: Laura Dave
Atomic HabitsBy: James Clear
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Book 1By: J.K. Rowling
Lessons in ChemistryBy: Bonnie Garmus
He Who Fights with Monsters: A LitRPG AdventureBy: Shirtaloon, and others
SpareBy: Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex
Defiance of the FallBy: TheFirstDefier, and others
The Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesBy: Suzanne Collins
OutliveBy: Peter Attia MD, and others
Simply LiesBy: David Baldacci
Remarkably Bright CreaturesBy: Shelby Van Pelt
The Light We CarryBy: Michelle Obama
The DebutanteBy: Jon Ronson
48 Laws of PowerBy: Robert Greene
Can't Hurt MeBy: David Goggins
It Ends with UsBy: Colleen Hoover1
2
3
People who viewed this also viewed...
The Way of Chuang Tzu (Second Edition)By: Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton’s Path to the Palace of NowhereBy: James Finley
The Seven Storey MountainBy: Thomas Merton
The Knowing HeartBy: Kabir Helminski
No Man Is an IslandBy: Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton on Solitude and TogethernessBy: Thomas Merton
Finding True Meaning and BeautyBy: Thomas Merton
Thoughts in SolitudeBy: Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton on the Contemplative WayBy: Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton on the Twelve Steps of HumilityBy: Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton on PrayerBy: Thomas Merton
Holistic IslamBy: Kabir Helminski1
2
What listeners say about Thomas Merton on SufismAverage Customer Ratings
Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5.0
5 Stars
21
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars4.7 out of 5.0
5 Stars
19
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Story 4.5 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5.0
5 Stars
20
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
Audible.com Reviews
Amazon Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by:
Overall
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
1 out of 5 stars
Carlmmm
03-06-19
Not a good introduction to Sufism
I have loved Thomas Merton writing on Christianity, especially The Seven Storey Mountain. So I thought his take on Sufism would be kind and knowledgeable. It is a series of live lectures by Merton to monks. It is wonderful to hear him live. But his comments have numerous painful inaccuracies and misunderstandings, and, sadly, unkindnesses and oversimplifications. There are much better introductions to Sufism. Ones I have read are by Douglas-Klotz, Ernst, Vaughan-Lee, Ghazali, Helminski, and especially Rumi. Start with any of these.
6 people found this helpful
Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars
Dolores Plate
09-30-18
Thomas Merton Speaks
What a privilege to hear Merton speak on any subject! His views on Islam and Sufism are even more needed today. Thank Goodness he explored these ideas!
2 people found this helpful
Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars
Amazon Customer
03-10-23
Merton is excellent, but recording is a classroom
Very much enjoyed the recording of the seminar. Some student responses aren’t heard so the message is lost on several instances.
The good- Thomas Merton discussing mysticism across other religions is priceless. A good introduction to Sufi thought
The bad- Assuming Merton is a product of his time; his views about “the Moslems” and “the Arabs” are caricatures that are not well received in our time. I never expected Merton to be racially insensitive, but it’s hard to overlook the several times he speaks with a condescending tone
Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars
Rich S.
02-07-23
Are You Satisfied With God?
That is the question Thomas Merton answers in these lectures from 1967.
While Merton's topic is Sufism, he also presents a solution for all spiritual seekers regardless of religious beliefs.
These lectures, which are among the most dynamic Merton ever delivered, start with him boldly stating: “When you are satisfied with God, God is satisfied with you."
Then he adds: "I humbly submit that that is extremely simple."
He goes on to point out to the novice monks in his class that although simple it is very hard to do.
With his trademark good humor, he explains: “It’s perfectly easy to say I'm satisfied with you Oh Lord. Your will is what I want. Only just don’t let it rain at the end of this conference because I don’t want to get wet again."
Since we are not saints, most of us won't be able to live a life totally always satisfied with God's will for us and our world. We're likely to complain and even cuss -- "kick" in Merton's slang humor -- about how things work out for us.
For all of us complainers, Merton suggests a middle way:
"If you can be content just to be still only halfway with no assurance that tomorrow you’re going to be perfectly happy, you’ve made it. You’re already satisfied within the measure that you can be satisfied. If it’s possible for you to accept a kind of relative satisfaction, which is appropriate to your state at the moment and you’re content ... Let’s face it, most of us can just be content with the will of God provided we can kick a little bit. I can’t stop kicking completely. You can begin. Be content to start where you are.”
So you can start by listening to these lectures.
Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars
Gabriel Hancock
06-27-21
Fascinating
I really enjoyed getting to know about Sufism!
Something I’ve always wanted to know about.
Merton is a new interest of mine and I have only read him so it’s kinda cool to hear his Humor in this, I also liked hearing Someone who is a Catholic show respect and admiration for the followers of another faith. The recording is rough but still worth a listen.
