Customer Reviews

The Pocket Thomas Merton (New Seeds Pocket Classics)

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The book itself is compact, sturdy and handsome. Multiple small passages are well organized around themes. Each passage is rich in content so it is natural for the reader to go slowly and savor all the nuances. An excellent showcase of Thomas Merton's spirit and complexity. It is greatly appreciated.

The Pocket Thomas Merton is perfect for beginners and others--Robert Inchausti and New Seeds Publishing have taken some of the most earth (and faith) shaking quotes from this quiet Trappist monk who changed the world and compacted them into a tiny, pocket sized book running at about 155 pages.

Consider being in the middle of an average day where each and every need, want and duty pull at one with the force of a bodybuilder's arms. Then consider reaching in one's pocket, flipping a couple of pages, and casually reading this:

"To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything is to succumb to violence. More than that, it is cooperation in violence. The frenzy of the activist neutralizes his work for peace. It destroys his own inner capacity for peace. It destroys the fruitfulness of his own work, because it kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful." (pg. 159).

Then consider--problem solved. Pace yourself, or don't begin at all. This is an absolute gem and the selections are spot on for the average person like myself who has to face a hurried life, whether I want to or not. Merton is a luminous presence and always will be. Highly recommended.

I highly recommend this book for all who, on their spiritual path, wish to fine-tune the way of meditation/ contemplation. This particular book is one of Shambala's pocket classics and because of its size can be carried around (for those many times one finds oneself waiting- the doctor's office for instance). Merton addresses the finer points of being a Christian, but this book is a gem for all who have a spiritual path AND an open mind..... Check it out !!

This book is smaller than a wallet. It can literally be carried in your pocket, in your backpack on a long trip, in your purse, anywhere. My copy is dog-eared. Each of the selected quotes from Thomas Merton is but a paragraph or two. The perfect length for meditative reading and reflecting. A chance to slow down and think with your heart and whole mind. I really can't do it justice. Thomas Merton has opened a new realm of spirituality to me, one that is far deeper, but that does not contradict in any way the Gospel as I have heard it preached from a hundred different pulpits. His ideas have made me understand that all that I have known is just the tips of some icebergs. Worlds lie beneath.

Small in size, but a wealth of information and inspiration... I keep a copy in my handbag and open it periodically when I'm struggling with moral questions, etc. It is not meant to be read cover to cover, but rather a source of reflection and meditation.