Download or read book Thomas Merton the Monk of Civil Rights written by Edward Vinski and published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing. This book was released on 2022-11-15 with total page 128 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Thomas Merton has been the subject of a number of books in the years since his death. His spiritual autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, was a best-seller at the time of its publication, and continues to be purchased and read at a steady pace. In addition, books of his meditations, poems, reflections, essays, letters, and journals have also been produced. While Merton wrote extensively on racial justice, and while these writings have been collected in certain volumes, there are few (if any) books devoted to summarizing, analysing, and applying his ideas to current racial tensions in the United States. This book reviews some of his most important experiences and writings on race and social justice, and uses Merton as a model for easing present-day tensions.
Download or read book The Seeker and the Monk written by Scott Sophfronia and published by Broadleaf Books. This book was released on 2021-03-16 with total page 217 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What if we truly belong to each other? What if we are all walking around shining like the sun? Mystic, monk, and activist Thomas Merton asked those questions in the twentieth century. Writer Sophfronia Scott is asking them today. In The Seeker and the Monk, Scott mines the extensive private journals of one of the most influential contemplative thinkers of the past for guidance on how to live in these fraught times. As a Black woman who is not Catholic, Scott both learns from and pushes back against Merton, holding spirited, and intimate conversations on race, ambition, faith, activism, nature, prayer, friendship, and love. She asks: What is the connection between contemplation and action? Is there ever such a thing as a wrong answer to a spiritual question? How do we care about the brutality in the world while not becoming overwhelmed by it? By engaging in this lively discourse, readers will gain a steady sense of how to dwell more deeply within--and even to love--this despairing and radiant world.
Download or read book Thomas Merton written by Patrick F. O'Connell and published by Orbis Books. This book was released on 2013 with total page 558 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume provides a broad cross-section of Merton's work as an essayist, collecting pieces that are characteristic examples of his astonishing output and the fantastic breadth of his interests. The essays range from the wisdom of the desert fathers to the novels of Faulkner and Camus, from interreligious dialogue to racial justice.
Download or read book Thomas Merton and the Monastic Vision written by Lawrence Cunningham and published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. This book was released on 1999 with total page 244 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Cunningham (theology, U. of Notre Dame) explores Merton's monastic life and his subsequent growth into a modern-day spiritual master. Starting from Merton's entrance into the Abbey of Gethsemani in 1941, he highlights the development of Merton's monastic life against the cultural background of the American experience and the vast upheavals in the Roman Catholic Church, thus showing how his writings and continuing influence can only be understood against the background of his contemplative experience as a Trappist monk. Father Timothy Kelley, the current abbot of the Abbey of Gethsemani and a former novice under Merton, provides a foreword. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Download or read book The Sign of Jonas written by Thomas Merton and published by HMH. This book was released on 2002-11-18 with total page 379 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This diary of a monastic life is “a continuation of The Seven Storey Mountain . . . Astonishing” (Commonweal). Chronicling six years of Thomas Merton’s life in a Trappist monastery, The Sign of Jonas takes us through his day-to-day experiences at the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, where he lived in silence and prayer for much of his life. Concluding with the account of Merton’s ordination as a priest, this diary documents his growing acceptance of his vocation—and the greater meaning he found within his private world of contemplation. “This book is made unmistakably real and almost, at times, unbearably poignant by the fact that the exuberance of youth so often wells up through it with rapture, impatience, and even bluster.” —TheNew York Times “A stirring book—the most readable and on the whole, most illuminating of the author’s writings.” —Catholic World
Download or read book Thoughts On The East written by Thomas Merton and published by A&C Black. This book was released on 1999-01-12 with total page 97 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Eastern religious traditions, especially the varieties of Buddhism, were the last great passion in Thomas Merton's life. His participation in a monastic conference in Asia led to his premature, accidental death. He discoursed on equal terms with the Dalai Lama, and extracts from their interviews appear in this book. The introduction brings together extracts from Merton's "Asian Journal" (Hinduism and varieties of Buddhism), and other short works on Eastern religions written in the last few years of his life. They all combine to demonstrate the breadth of vision that is such an integral part of Merton's lasting appeal, his quest for a deeper unity underlying apparent fragmentation. They might be regarded as steps toward the great book on monasticism that Merton might have written but never did. As they stand, they provide Merton's essential definitions of the religions that so interested him in the last years of his life, and of which he became a skilful Western interpreter.
Download or read book The Seven Storey Mountain written by Thomas Merton and published by Christian Large Print. This book was released on 1985 with total page 770 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: One man's search to find his role in the world is revealed in the writer's portrait of his youthful political activism and entry into a Trappist monastery
Download or read book Entering the Silence written by Thomas Merton and published by Harper Collins. This book was released on 2009-03-17 with total page 913 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The second volume of Thomas Merton's "gusty, passionate journals" (Thomas Moore) chronicles Merton's advancements to priesthood and emergence as a bestselling author with the surprise success of his autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain. Spanning an eleven-year period, Entering the Silence reflects Merton's struggle to balance his vocation to solitude with the budding literary career that would soon established him as one of the most important spiritual writers of our century.
Download or read book Seeds of Destruction written by Thomas Merton and published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. This book was released on 2010-05-25 with total page 350 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Thomas Merton (1915-1968) is one of the foremost spiritual thinkers of the twentieth century. Though he lived a mostly solitary existence as a Trappist monk, he had a dynamic impact on world affairs through his writing. An outspoken proponent of the antiwar and civil rights movements, he was both hailed as a prophet and castigated for his social criticism. He was also unique among religious leaders in his embrace of Eastern mysticism, positing it as complementary to the Western sacred tradition. Merton is the author of over forty books of poetry, essays, and religious writing, including Mystics and Zen Masters, and The Seven Story Mountain, for which he is best known. His work continues to be widely read to this day.
Download or read book The Inner Experience written by Thomas Merton and published by Harper Collins. This book was released on 2012-09-11 with total page 194 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Now in paperback, revised and redesigned: This is Thomas Merton's last book, in which he draws on both Eastern and Western traditions to explore the hot topic of contemplation/meditation in depth and to show how we can practice true contemplation in everyday life. Never before published except as a series of articles (one per chapter) in an academic journal, this book on contemplation was revised by Merton shortly before his untimely death. The material bridges Merton's early work on Catholic monasticism, mysticism, and contemplation with his later writing on Eastern, especially Buddhist, traditions of meditation and spirituality. This book thus provides a comprehensive understanding of contemplation that draws on the best of Western and Eastern traditions. Merton was still tinkering with this book when he died; it was the book he struggled with most during his career as a writer. But now the Merton Legacy Trust and experts have determined that the book makes such a valuable contribution as his major comprehensive presentation of contemplation that they have allowed its publication.
Download or read book Pursuing the Spiritual Roots of Protest written by Gordon Oyer and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2014-02-28 with total page 301 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the fall of 1964, Trappist monk Thomas Merton prepared to host an unprecedented gathering of peace activists. "About all we have is a great need for roots," he observed, "but to know this is already something." His remark anticipated their agenda--a search for spiritual roots to nurture sound motives for "protest." This event's originality lay in the varied religious commitments present. Convened in an era of well-kept faith boundaries, members of Catholic (lay and clergy), mainline Protestant, historic peace church, and Unitarian traditions participated. Ages also varied, ranging from twenty-three to seventy-nine. Several among the fourteen who gathered are well known today among faith-based peace advocates: the Berrigan brothers, Jim Forest, Tom Cornell, John Howard Yoder, A. J. Muste, and Merton himself. During their three days together, insights and wisdom from these traditions would intersect and nourish each other. By the time they parted, their effort had set down solid roots and modeled interreligious collaboration for peace work that would blossom in coming decades. Here for the first time, the details of those vital discussions have been reconstructed and made accessible to again inspire and challenge followers of Christ to confront the powers and injustices of today.
Download or read book Hidden in the Same Mystery written by Mary Swain and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Clear and moving, this compilation reveals previously unpublished discussions on prayer and religious vows between Thomas Merton and the Sisters of Loretto in the early 1960s. Offering insight into Merton's friendship with one of the most influential American religious women of the 20th century, Sr. Mary Luke Tobin--who was one of the 15 official women observers at Vatican II--this history reflects not only Merton's deep understanding of religious life, but also his affection for this particular community of sisters.
Download or read book Faith and Violence written by Thomas Merton and published by University of Notre Dame Pess. This book was released on 1968-10-15 with total page 296 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Faith and Violence, Thomas Merton offers concrete and pungent social criticisms grounded in prophetic faith about such issues as Vietnam, racism, violence, and war.
Download or read book New Seeds of Contemplation written by Thomas Merton and published by Shambhala Publications. This book was released on 2003 with total page 321 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A collection of thirty-nine short essays in which Thomas Merton examines what true contemplation is and how it can impact one's spirituality.
Download or read book This Child of Faith written by Sophfronia Scott and published by Paraclete Press. This book was released on 2017-12-14 with total page 137 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Tain Gregory was present in his third grade classroom on the morning of December 14, 2012, the date of the Sandy Hook shootings. As part of the healing process for the community after the tragedy Tain was asked "What's the most important thing in the world to you?" His mother expected an answer about a video game or Pokemon trading card. Tain thought for a moment then answered with one word. "God." Until that moment, Tain's mother had no idea how close to the surface Tain's faith existed for him. This is a fascinating look at the journey of two souls, both Tain's and his mother's, that began with Tain enrolling in Sunday School and led to a strong life of faith for both of them. In This Child of Faith, Sophfronia and Tain share stories, experience and ideas to help parents get to the heart of a question that becomes more perturbing as our world grows ever more complicated: How do you help a child have faith—real faith, something he or she owns and not a regurgitation of something they've heard? How do you create a life space where they can learn to understand what they believe? Tain's stories include early encounters with death and, of course, the shootings at Sandy Hook where he was present in his third grade classroom on the morning of December 14, 2012. Tain is now entering an age where his peers are questioning everything and saying "everything just goes black" when you die, but because of his faith, Tain knows differently. “In this beautiful and timely memoir, mother and son share insights from a family’s spiritual awakening, a journey that led to a deep experience of God and a new way of life in the world. Not only do they offer practical advice on faith formation, but they tackle a difficult question: How does faith prepare us not only life’s joys but for its most shocking tragedies? The answer is deceptively simple: by paying attention to the Spirit and trusting one another. Read this one and weep. And discover the hope of a child.” —Diana Butler Bass, Author, Grounded: Finding God in the World, A Spiritual Revolution “When children begin to ask the big questions in life, many parents feel unprepared. What's more, their own yearning to find meaning, hope, and a deeper faith may be ignited. In this unblinkingly honest and tender work, Sophfronia Scott and her son, Tain, share their journey of faith. From her roots growing up in a large Baptist family in Ohio, to her spiritual curiosity as a Harvard undergrad, to her commitment to honor her young son’s request to attend Sunday School, Sophfronia gently models how to nurture the innate spirituality and faith of a child. In doing so, her own faith grows and deepens as well. And when the trials come, such as the deaths of several people close to her and her family, she is more prepared to help Tain understand and accept these losses. This Child of Faith doesn’t claim to know all the answers, but it serves as a moving testimony to the power of faith when a family embarks upon the journey together.” —Rev. Andrea Raynor, author of Incognito: Lost and Found at Harvard Divinity School
Download or read book Thomas Merton A Life in Letters written by Thomas Merton and published by Harper Collins. This book was released on 2008-10-07 with total page 422 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was one of the most influential spiritual writers of modern times. A Trappist monk, peace and civil rights activist, and widely-praised literary figure, Merton was renowned for his pioneering work in contemplative spirituality, his quest to understand Eastern thought and integrate it with Western spirituality, and his firm belief in Christian activism. His autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, is the defining spiritual memoir of its time, selling over one million copies and translating into over fifteen languages. Merton was also one of the most prolific and provocative letter writers of the twentieth century. His letters (those written both by him and to him), archived at the Thomas Merton Studies Center at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, number more than ten thousand. For Merton, letters were not just a vehicle for exchanging information, but his primary means for initiating, maintaining, and deepening relationships. Letter-writing was a personal act of self-revelation and communication. His letters offer a unique lens through which we relive the spiritual and social upheavals of the twentieth century, while offering wisdom that is still relevant for our world today.
Download or read book Flee Be Silent Pray written by Ed Cyzewski and published by MennoMedia, Inc.. This book was released on 2019-02-12 with total page 144 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What if prayer could be simple rather than strenuous? Anxious, results-driven Christians can never pray enough, serve enough, or study enough. But what if God is calling us not to frenzied activity but to a simple spiritual encounter? What if we must merely receive what God has already given us? In Flee, Be Silent, Pray, writer and contemplative retreat leader Ed Cyzewski guides readers out of the anxiety factory of contemporary Christianity and toward a God whose love astounds those quiet long enough to receive it. With helpful guidance into solitude, contemplative prayer, and practices such as lectio divina and the Examen, Cyzewski guides readers toward the Christ whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light. Ready to shed the fear of the false self and the exhaustion of a duty-driven faith? Flee. Be silent. Pray.
