Merton made a considerable contribution in the evolution of Christian spirituality at an important time of deep and profound turmoil. His tragic, premature death by electrocution in Thailand, while at a conference in 1968, came at a time of devastation in the world: The brutal year of the Tet Offensive, the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy, the arrest of Daniel Berrigan and the Catonsville Nine, the police brutality at the Democratic convention in Chicago and the election of Richard Nixon.
Merton’s exciting and influential religious autobiography — a spiritual, highlight of its generation, perhaps of the century, The Seven Storey Mountain, had a deep impact on me and many people I know, most of us not Catholic, but hippies and other rebels who were simply seeking answers. We were indeed looking for our real home. And the journey continues.
Only our imagination can be truly limitless, life itself is broken up by hurdles, hurdles are wished for sometimes by us, by others, even by nature, we might slow down, we might feel cheated of our time, but these hurdles are needed to rest, to reflect, to consider, to charge our batteries for the endless journey here on earth, forever beyond.
We are returning and moving towards the Tree. Some call it paradise, others The New Jerusalem. It is a Stone but yet it is not a stone. It is the essence of everything, the secret treasure openly hidden in every single moment of learning, striving, breathing. Loving.
This is so good. I really need to pick up more of Merton's work. I am reading a book, Erik Reece's Utopia Drive, and he has a chapter on Merton and the Abbey of Gethsamani, which gives a general outline of Merton's life and work. A truly fascinating man. The fact that he appeals to so many outside of the Christian bubble makes his writing that much more intriguing to me.
Eckhart Tolle would call this the present moment, so would taoism (inborn virtuosity), and I think American Christianity would call this heaven. The thing we know we stem from and know we will go back to when we die.
A thought comes to mind when one reads this: man is considered the weakest animal and yet he has lives in the most no so hospital places. From places with hot temperatures to those where the cold can be many degree below zero. And he has survived. We are still here and have become numerous.
Merton made a considerable contribution in the evolution of Christian spirituality at an important time of deep and profound turmoil. His tragic, premature death by electrocution in Thailand, while at a conference in 1968, came at a time of devastation in the world: The brutal year of the Tet Offensive, the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy, the arrest of Daniel Berrigan and the Catonsville Nine, the police brutality at the Democratic convention in Chicago and the election of Richard Nixon.
Merton’s exciting and influential religious autobiography — a spiritual, highlight of its generation, perhaps of the century, The Seven Storey Mountain, had a deep impact on me and many people I know, most of us not Catholic, but hippies and other rebels who were simply seeking answers. We were indeed looking for our real home. And the journey continues.
His New Seeds of Contemplation and Contemplative Prayer were pivotal to me.
Only our imagination can be truly limitless, life itself is broken up by hurdles, hurdles are wished for sometimes by us, by others, even by nature, we might slow down, we might feel cheated of our time, but these hurdles are needed to rest, to reflect, to consider, to charge our batteries for the endless journey here on earth, forever beyond.
Though one may search for a new home, new roots, they will always be rooted to their original home.
We are returning and moving towards the Tree. Some call it paradise, others The New Jerusalem. It is a Stone but yet it is not a stone. It is the essence of everything, the secret treasure openly hidden in every single moment of learning, striving, breathing. Loving.
Yes. ❤️ Beautifully put.
Merton was a fascinating man. Thank you.
The interior journey to the True Self, where the Tree of Life is, the quest.
Just read a book recently on the collaboration between Merton and Lawrence Ferlinghetti.
This is so good. I really need to pick up more of Merton's work. I am reading a book, Erik Reece's Utopia Drive, and he has a chapter on Merton and the Abbey of Gethsamani, which gives a general outline of Merton's life and work. A truly fascinating man. The fact that he appeals to so many outside of the Christian bubble makes his writing that much more intriguing to me.
Eckhart Tolle would call this the present moment, so would taoism (inborn virtuosity), and I think American Christianity would call this heaven. The thing we know we stem from and know we will go back to when we die.
A thought comes to mind when one reads this: man is considered the weakest animal and yet he has lives in the most no so hospital places. From places with hot temperatures to those where the cold can be many degree below zero. And he has survived. We are still here and have become numerous.
You poems opens a huge conversation. Good read!
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Reading Merton always feels like coming home. He’s a spiritual ancestor. ❤️
I like this very much!!! Very thoughtful 🤔