Thomas Merton on Sufism: Thomas Merton, Fr. Anthony Ciorra, 7 hr audio

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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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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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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




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Overall
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
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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
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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.

Mystics, Muslims, and Thomas Merton Audio : Griffith, Sidney H., Amazon.com: Books

Mystics, Muslims, and Thomas Merton: Griffith, Sidney H.,  Amazon.com: Books

https://www.scribd.com/audiobook/354221808/Mystics-Muslims-and-Thomas-Merton

Length: 2 hrs and 28 mins

Mystics, Muslims, and Thomas Merton Audio CD – Unabridged, May 10, 2022
by Sidney H. Griffith (Author, Reader)


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Thomas Merton, one of the great mystics of the twentieth century, had a deep interest in Islam and its mystical tradition of Sufism. Now, you can join one of Catholicism's great scholars on a fascinating journey through Merton's encounter with Islam. Thomas Merton (1915–1968) was a Trappist monk whose numerous books made the Christian spiritual classics accessible to modern audiences. A pioneer in interreligious dialogue, he developed a profound interest in the mystical traditions of the world's major religions. In addition to his multiple relationships with non-Catholic Christians, he engaged in correspondence with Jewish, Muslim, Zen Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu thinkers. This course focuses on Merton's engagement with Islam. Your presenter is Prof. Sidney Griffith, Ph.D., an expert in Muslim-Christian relations and a lifelong reader of Thomas Merton. Throughout the course, you will journey through the broad spectrum of Merton's encounters with Muslims. You will look at Thomas Merton's interest in Islamic mysticism, particularly in the traditions of Sufism. You will start by looking at his openness to sharing the experience of the Divine light with members of other religions. Then, as you explore Merton's correspondence with scholars of Sufism and practicing Sufis, you will gain great insight into the spiritual mind of Thomas Merton. Thomas Merton was a remarkable spiritual thinker, and his interactions with Muslims provide a model of interfaith dialogue today. If you are interested in Merton's ideas, you will love this course.

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Merton & Sufism: The Untold Story: A Complete Compendium : Baker, Rob, etal. Amazon.com: Books

Merton & Sufism: The Untold Story: A Complete Compendium (1) (The Fons Vitae Thomas Merton Series): Baker, Rob, Henry, Gray, Nasr, Seyyed Hossein, Chittick, William C.: 9781887752077: Amazon.com: Books


https://archive.org/details/mertonsufismunto0000unse

Merton & Sufism: The Untold Story: A Complete Compendium (1) (The Fons Vitae Thomas Merton Series) Paperback – January 1, 1999
by Rob Baker (Editor), Gray Henry (Editor), Seyyed Hossein Nasr (Preface), William C. Chittick (Introduction)

5.0 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

Paperback
$28.95
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This comprehensive collection includes essays by scholars, Merton's own Sufi poems, book reviews of Sufi texts, as well as edited transcriptions of his lectures on Sufism.

From the Back Cover

In addition to scholarly articles, this volume includes Merton's own Sufi poems, insightful book reviews, transcriptions from his related lectures, and a selection of works from which he drew particular inspiration, including the work of al-Tirmidhi (d.932), which uses fascinating metaphors to elucidate the difference between the Breast, Heart, Inner Heart, and the Intellect.


Product details
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Fons Vitae (January 1, 1999)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 343 pages


From the United States

PW108
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Important Book in this Series on Thomas MertonReviewed in the United States on January 22, 2022
Verified Purchase

This compendium is a part of the Fons Vitae series on Thomas Merton, each providing a comprehensive examination of one of Merton’s many explorations into religions and philosophies outside of his Trappist vocation and Catholic doctrines.

 This book is for those wanting to delve specifically into Thomas Merton’s sincere interest and immersion into Sufism. If one is looking more for an overview of Merton’s life, or a text that fully explores one or more aspects of Sufism, then there are better books than this to read. 

As I truly admire both Sufic thought (especially the work of Ibn ‘Arabi) and Thomas Merton’s rich spiritual life and landscape, I found that this book provides a wealth of information, as well as yet another fascinating glimpse into his much-to-be-admired (and still needed) ecumenism and interfaith dialogue.

To a lesser extent, “Merton and Sufism: The Untold Story” also documents his sincere interest in, and correspondence with, the 20th-century Traditionalist School of Sophia Perennis (i.e. the Perennial Wisdom) that included philosopher-scholars such as Frithjof Schuon, Rene Guenon, Ananda Coomaraswamy, Marco Pallis, Martin Lings, Titis Burckhardt, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, William Stoddart, and Huston Smith, to name some of the most famous. It should also be noted that, through Martin Ling’s book, the 1961 classic “A Sufi Saint of the Twentieth Century,” Merton was introduced to the legacy and heritage of Shaikh Ahmad Al-Alawi, who Merton revered as a true Realized Sufi Master and Saint.

While not, as far as I know, an acknowledged Traditionalist, Professor Louis Massignon and his remarkable friendship and correspondence with Merton is also looked at in detail, and given a place near the top of the Sufi-related events that transpired for Merton during those years.

The book’s essays were all penned by leading people in their respective fields, and throughout the book one encounters an obvious high-level of scholarship that is, in part, supported by copious footnotes. There is some excellent supplemental material in the appendices as well, making this a must-have book for those who, like me, find Merton’s genuine interest in spiritual traditions like Sufism-Islam to be both interesting and inspiring. 

Regarding his love of Sufism, my favorite quote from the book is his 1966 quip, "I am the biggest Sufi in Kentucky though I admit there is not much competition.” 

On a more serious note, he also wrote in a letter to his friend Abdul Aziz stating that, “My prayer tends very much to what you (sufis) call fana.” 

For anyone who might not know, the very important term “fana” means “annihilation,” as in the permanent transcendence of the individual, seemingly-separate-from-everything-else ego. Without an abiding fana of the personal self, there is no Self-Realization.

Additionally, for those of you who want to *fully* explore this fascinating area of Merton’s life, I’m recommending two readily available audios. 

The first is a 2.5 hour talk titled, “Mystics, Muslims, and Thomas Merton” by Sydney H. Griffith, who also wrote this book’s 3rd essay (Merton, Massignon, and the Challenge of Islam) and its 6th essay (As One Spiritual Man to Another: The Merton-Abdul Aziz Correspondence). 

The second is a “Learn25” production called, “Thomas Merton on Sufism.” This 2014 release features 7 hours (!) of Merton speaking informally on the topic to the novices at the Abbey of Gethsemani during his time there as Novice Master. 

Both of these make great companions to this book!

7 people found this helpful



Robert W. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful extension of paths and understandingReviewed in the United States on August 22, 2010
Verified Purchase

thomas merton was a beloved scholar and practitioner of christian mysticism. 

in his travels, he reached out to many, including those of the buddhist faith and those of the sufi (islamic mystics) traditions. 

this book contains a number of writings that describe merton's approach to sufism and study thereof.

 i like the gray and i believe that merton finds or defines it in this book.

it is one of merton's finer pieces. 

it's written in a style that is accessible to most educated adults. 

as a great fan of merton, i have not yet found a book that i have not liked. 

it is outstanding. i give this book a solid "A" and i highly recommend it to all mystics, all christians, and all muslims.

24 people found this helpful


HelpfulReport

Dessybells
5.0 out of 5 stars I recommend this book to all the spiritual searchersReviewed in the United States on December 9, 2015
Verified Purchase
I am a lover of the writings of Thomas Merton! I recommend this book to all the spiritual searchers.

2 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Christian mind at its Best!Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2000

This is a well written book about a deeply spiritual man. This book is about a monk spiritual journey. A journey that took him to many alien ideas and cultures.
In his quest and search for the Real, he refused to disregard other revealed religions and what they can offer in a complete sense of spirituality.
His search led him to contact Muslims as well as Muslims saints and other well known and respected writers about the subject of Islam and Sufism in particular.
This book reads like story which makes it easy to read. At the end, the reader will be able to find out the influence that Islam and Sufism had on this excellent mind. And how it helped him to become a better Christian.
I have enjoyed this book very much. I would recommend this book for all.

50 people found this helpful

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Merton and Sufism

The Untold Story, A Complete Compendium

By Gray Henry, Rob Baker

An examination of Merton's interest and attraction to this mystical path

Book Review by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/book-reviews/view/1758/merton-and-sufism

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was a preeminent pioneer of inter-religious dialogue and spiritual friendship. In this fascinating volume, editors Rob Baker and Gray Henry have assembled a vast array of materials illustrating his deep interest and attraction to Sufism, the mystical side of Islam. Merton was especially intrigued with its emphasis upon action, love, and knowledge. In a letter to Abdul Aziz in Pakistan, he wrote: "I am tremendously impressed with the solidity and intellectual sureness of Sufism. I am stirred to the depths of my heart by the intensity of Moslem piety toward His names, and the reverence with which He is invoked as the 'Compassionate and the Merciful.' May He be praised and adored everywhere forever."

This scholarly paperback contains Merton's own Sufi poems, his lectures about this path, his reviews of books on Sufism, and some of his favorite works on the subject. Whether corresponding with the French Islamic scholar Louis Massignon or visiting with the Sufi master Sidi Abdeslam, this Trappist monk was polishing his heart of love and extending the practice of Christian hospitality.