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Soul Searching: The Journey of Thomas Merton (Book with DVD)

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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.

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.

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.