Soul Searching: The Journey of Thomas Merton [Paperback]

Jonathan Montaldo (Author), Morgan C. Atkinson (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2008

A companion to award-winning producer Morgan Atkinson's documentary of the same title, this work draws us into the geographical landscape of Thomas Merton's life in America, a landscape that was intrinsic to his spiritual journey. Containing a considerable amount of rich material unused in the documentary, Soul Searching is alive with the narrative of those who either knew Merton well or passionately care about him: Father Daniel Berrigan, Rosemary Ruether, Martin Marty, Paul Elie, and many others. Their insights are linked to the places--from the Abbey of Gethsemani to the Redwoods Monastery in California, from New York City to Christ in the Desert Monastery in New Mexico--that both nurtured and shaped Merton. The picture that emerges, through both the narrative and vivid photography, is filled with provocative insights into the interior landscape of one of the spiritual giants of modern times.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Soul Searching is a powerful, rich, and rewarding meditation on the life of Thomas Merton. It not only provides valuable insights into who Merton was and why he wrote as he did, but invites viewers to look deeply inside themselves as well, using Merton's words and the reflections of both scholars and those who knew him personally." -- Paul Wilkes, Writer, Director, Co-Producer of the 1985 PBS documentary Merton: A Film Biography

"Soul Searching" gently and clearly pulls together the wide spectrum of the facets of Merton's life as a man and a great spiritual writer of the 20th Century. The carefully crafted volume of gifted reflections of women and men who either knew him personally or through the study of his writings invite the reader to more easily understand the remarkable and often complex persona of the enduring Merton. It is a beautiful companion to the DVD, but it stands alone as a most special addition to any personal Merton library. -- Anne McCormick, Trustee, Merton Legacy Trust

"Yes, another book on Merton! This one offers you his endless fruitfulness through some amazing inside sources, but also Morgan Atkinson's brilliance in putting it together so creatively. Read, and be broadened by the great Merton once again! -- Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, New Mexico

In Soul Searching, the insights of two dozen Merton scholars, biographers, friends and monastic brothers are woven together into a rich and intricate tapestry. To listen in on these marvelously articulate yet engagingly informal conversations is an education and a delight. This volume is not only a superb complement to Morgan Atkinson's acclaimed film of the same name, but a significant achievement in its own right, providing vivid testimony that makes clear why Thomas Merton's life and work continue to matter for Church and world four decades after his death. -- Patrick F. O'Connell, Editor: The Merton Seasonal, Co-author: The Thomas Merton Encyclopedia; Editor: Merton monastic conferences series

"[S]oul Searching: The Journey of Thomas Merton . . . will inspire anyone who seeks meaning and spiritual depth in his or her life journey . . . Atkinson honestly presents the human struggles facing Merton as he sought solitude, embraced chastity, challenged his ego, and lived his monastic vows . . . Everyone wanting to know more about Merton, and anyone who wants to accept his challenge to an authentic, contemplative life will find this DVD insightful, honest, and stimulating." --Jan Jett, Spiritual Director, Writer; Presence Magazine --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"What an inspiration you were to the attendees at the joint monthly luncheon series of two Presbyterian churches! We were moved not only by the story of Thomas Merton, which you have so artfully assembled, but also by your devotion to assure that his transcendent spirit and beliefs live today. Through you, Merton has much to say to searching people of all faith traditions." --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Liturgical Press (October 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814618731
• ISBN-13: 978-0814618738
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,005,656 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have been reading Thomas Merton since I was thirteen, now for over fifty-six years. I wrote a Masters Thesis in theology and literature at Emory University in 1974, a study of Merton's autobiography entitled "Toward the Only Read City in America: Paradise and Utopia in the Autobiography of Thomas Merton". As I look back, my life has been rich with different experiences: a Jesuit seminarian in the New Orleans Province; service in Vietnam and Italy in the Navy; teaching high school; working for the government; founding and growing a ten-store retail operation with two partners (still going); and then formal work with Thomas Merton's legacy since 1988 that included being the director of the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky; a term as President of the International Thomas Merton Society; and administering a small retreat house, Bethany Spring, one mile away from Merton's Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, Kentucky, where I presented retreats on many topics but most were based on the ten-booklet series for small-group dialogue that I created entitled "Bridges to Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton". My favorites among the many editions I produced of Merton's writing include "The Intimate Merton", "Dialogues with Silence", "A Year with Thomas Merton", and "Choosing to Love the World: Thomas Merton on Contemplation". "Bridges to Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton" is perhaps the best work that I've done to bring Merton's teachings on "contemplative living" to a wide audience. "Bridges" is perhaps my most useful contribution to Thomas Merton's legacy.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars reminiscences of the influential Trappist monk Thomas Merton, December 9, 2008

By 

Henry Berry "Henry Berry" (Southport, CT) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Soul Searching: The Journey of Thomas Merton (Paperback)

Not as overtly popular as he was in the 1960s, Thomas Merton nonetheless practiced a type of spirituality that is perennially appealing and enriching. The book of reminiscences of Merton by over 20 persons in different walks of life who knew him to varying degrees demonstrates his continuing appeal. Some of these are individuals who themselves are well-known for their interest in religion and influence. Daniel Berrigan was a '60's anti-Vietnam War activist who was a Catholic priest. Martin Marty is a noted religious scholar from the University of Chicago. Coauthor Jonathan Montaldo is a director at a retreat and author of books on Merton. Main author Atkinson is a producer who has done a documentary on Merton shown on PBS. This work of collected reminiscences is a companion to the TV program containing material left unused for it.

Merton was a (Catholic) Trappist monk with a searching interest in other religions and spiritualities. His continually growing spirituality--which he wrote about in many books, most notably The Seven Story Mountain published in 1948--was tied in with his moves to different locations and his travels. At the end of his life, he was in Asia (where he died in an accident with electricity) to study Buddhism and Zen firsthand. The material collected by Atkinson as free-ranging conversations for possible use in his documentary is organized according to "four geographical centers of Merton's adult life as lenses through which to see him." These centers are New York City; the Abbey of Gethsemini in rural Kentucky (with which Merton is most identified as a monk and writer); Louisville, Kentucky; and "points west and east" including California and Asia. Atkinson's interest is as much, if not more, a biographical portrait as spiritual one. To each of the four geographical centers, the editor/producer assigns "significant issues of Merton's life"; among these, Merton's "playboy years" when he was at Columbia University, his passing interest in communism, and his conversion to Catholicism.

The biographical emphasis does not obscure, though it limits, the quality and dimensions of the spirituality. One would want to go to Merton's books to get the full dimensions of his spirituality. The book of reminiscences, though, like the documentary, will surely awaken interest in Merton as an outstanding cultural figure and spiritual pilgrim.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Designed as a companion volume to the video documentary covering the man's life, February 7, 2009

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soul Searching: The Journey of Thomas Merton (Paperback)

An inspiration to thousands throughout the twentieth century, Thomas Merton was a beatnik turned monk. "Soul Searching: The Journey of Thomas Merton" is designed as a companion volume to the video documentary covering the man's life, ranging from his start through his deep soul searching that eventually made him find God, to his travels as a monk. Thomas Merton was a highly spiritual man who gave much comfort to many people, and "Soul Searching" is a read for those to who want to be inspired further.

4.0 out of 5 stars Merton's Journey, April 11, 2009

By 

Patrick C. Fowler - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Soul Searching: The Journey of Thomas Merton (Book with DVD) (Hardcover)

Excellent DVD that has priceless archival footage of Merton and the Abbey of Gesthemani along with interviews from many important figures who knew him. A good introductory source for anyone interested in the unique journey of Merton from being a cosmopolitan young man, worldly in so many respects, to his turn to a spiritual life as a monk and, of course, to his emergence as a public figure. The companion book is also a rich source and smartly complementary to the DVD.