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Thomas Merton: Essential Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters Series)

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In Thomas Merton, Essential Writings, Christine Bochen has performed a wonderful service to all who know and will come to know Merton through his writings. She presents his works in the framework of his vocation -- the call to contemplation, the call to compassion, and the call to unity. These calls are the essence of his vocation which is an archetype of all vocations. Through the carefully selected excerpts from his writings she presents insights for reflection on our own calling, which is no less than a personal version of Merton's vocation. Christine succeeds in reaching a deeper level of understanding why Merton's appeal is so universal and opens the door to approaching Merton in a new way.

Thomas Merton, Essential Writings will facilitate teaching Merton in academic settings and also serve as one of the best introductions to Thomas Merton for those who are looking for a place to start

We must ever be grateful to the long standing Catholic Publisher Orbis Books, an arm of the MAryknoll Missioner Society, for the excellent catalogue it has developed over the decades. What Orbis published in the eighties is without compare in the world of CAtholic printings, yet much is now lost and no longer available, tragically, as long gone as Pope Paul VI's crucial encyclical Populorum Progressio, also no longer available. See instead the NAtional COnference of Catholic Bishop's own Economic Justice for All.

With that opening salute to Orbis Books, please support their excellent work by receiving gratefully this wonderful sampler of Merton's prolific and prophetic writings. But I urge you to use this as springboard into the corpus itself. Amazon may be the only source left of much of his original writings, and the reader is urged heartfully to search this mighty amazon for all of the Merton you can. Or simply one text, perhaps the one concerning War in the Post-Christian world, or the Letter to a Young Activist, or of course New Seeds of Contemplation, or his study of the Zen Masters.

Orbis is correct, as always. We need this sampler, as finding one particular text of Merton is so difficult. If you are stranded on a desert island, better this sampler than a limited Merton Library.

They say the great intellectual and spiritual Pope Paul VI always flew with trunks full of books, just in case. This is one book to take with you on your journey.

Try, please, to study Merton as he prepared his work for publication, and not in bits and pieces. Thomas Harte certainly helped prepare useful texts post-humously after his assassination in 1968. Study also if you are able the wonderful works of the good priest, Father Ernesto Cardenal, who studied under Merton in his Trappist novitiate, writing poems together until forbidden as un-monkly in the military Abbot's limited perception. In particular, Cardenal's Image Book To Live is to Love is excellent food for contemplation, especially and above all for its super-imposed introduction by Merotn himself.

For some this book may be an introduction. For others, like myself, it may be more insight on a spiritual journey. Wherever you are, Thomas Merton has no intention of handing out free tickets. He was, and still is a mystic. He offers suggestions, and he teaches. His words are guidance, and they give direction. Some will accept them and understand, others will not. If you pick up this book looking for answers to your questions you may only find more questions. Instead, just contemplate on the words he speaks. All books by and about him offer a glimpse of who he was, and what he was/is trying to convey. You'll get out of this book whatever you put into it, and nothing more. He is my mentor, and he can be yours.

I am a Catholic who returned to my faith via Eastern ideas of a God of all being. At times I have difficulty aligning my beliefs with those of the Catholic faith, although the strongest truths of Catholosism a believe. Merton helps me bridge this gap and helps me to see the I can be Catholic and believe in that deeper, more existential God. This book was invaluable!

what can you say about Merton. His writing is inspirational and thought provoking. He has been an important step in spiritual journey.

The first book I read on Thomas Merton. Caught my attention and has kept me reading his books ever since.

This is an outstanding book for anyone who would like to know more about Thomas Merton. The introduction gives you info about his life. The book is divided into three sections on contemplation, non violent resistance and unity. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a spiritual seeker.

I am a Catholic who returned to my faith via Eastern ideas of a God of all being. At times I have difficulty aligning my beliefs with those of the Catholic faith, although the strongest truths of Catholosism a believe. Merton helps me bridge this gap and helps me to see the I can be Catholic and believe in that deeper, more existential God. This book was invaluable!

I wasn't too impressed with this book -- it doesn't flow very well as a whole. Perhaps a good intro to Merton, but I prefer just reading his writings in whole.