The Wisdom of the Desert: Sayings from the Desert Fathers of the Fourth Century (Shambhala Library)
by Thomas Merton
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I began this book as an observance for Lent this year. My goal was to read a quote per day (allowing chance to permit me to miss a day) and meditate on the meaning of the quote. I haven't finished it because it would probably take two Lenten seasons to get through it at that point. However, I think I will continue at the established pace. I walked away from this book realizing how difficult it can be to be truly "not of this world." However, as with all writings by/compiled by Thomas M...more
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This is a very readable collection of stories from the earliest stages of the monastic movement in the 4th century. The vignettes are variously clever, profound, ironic, humorous, and radical. Most are sound-bite brief or just a bit longer. None are comfortable for our self-indulgent generation.
A few of these sayings have stuck with me over many years. For example, when I feel that familiar little temptation to bend the truth to burnish my reputation, I'm often haunted by this saying fro...more
A few of these sayings have stuck with me over many years. For example, when I feel that familiar little temptation to bend the truth to burnish my reputation, I'm often haunted by this saying fro...more
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Read in January, 2002
recommends it for:
Hungry Souls
Merton is one of my favorite authors and wrote with the power and force of one of the early Christian saints, only in our time. His pointed questions and desire to seek, share, and reveal the truth got him thrown out of the Catholic Church. His writings on the Desert Fathers appear to be simple yet have a depth that not all may be prepared for and reading it without sufficient contemplation time may cause spiritual indigestion or even worse - complete lack of comprehension.
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recommends it for:
Old Santomauro
Reading T. Merton is like lazy-boy recliners.
Who can resist a compendium of wisdom of 3rd and 4th century hermit monks who lived in the desert controlling their tongues and their bellies.
Here's a taste: He said, again: "Malice will never drive out malice. But if someone does evil to you, you should do good to him, so that by your good work you may destroy his malice."
Who can resist a compendium of wisdom of 3rd and 4th century hermit monks who lived in the desert controlling their tongues and their bellies.
Here's a taste: He said, again: "Malice will never drive out malice. But if someone does evil to you, you should do good to him, so that by your good work you may destroy his malice."
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If you are looking for koans or other tidbits of wisdom to contemplate, look no further. Merton compiles short yet succinct stories of the desert fathers which on their own are compelling, but in a compilation, prove to be a provocative tool to deepen one's own spirituality. There is also a "Wisdom of the Desert Mothers" if one prefers a different perspective.
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Read in March, 2008
I'm a fan of all things monk, translating therefore to mean all things Merton. I was a huge fan of The Seven Storey Mountain which took me a very long time to get through. This little number is far fewer pages and isn't autobiographical so should be a breeze in comparison.
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Read in February, 2008
I was disappointed to see the elders view on poverty, isolation, and celibacy. They seemed to have held many biblically erroneous views. Despite this, there is a decent amount of wisdom to be gained from their words.
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As I was transitioning out of Christianity, Thomas Merton was helpful.
This is not the writings of Merton, but a collection of aphorisms by very primative (non-orthodox) early Christian hermit mystics. Very fun.
This is not the writings of Merton, but a collection of aphorisms by very primative (non-orthodox) early Christian hermit mystics. Very fun.
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Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
One wanting inspiration w/o the suffering of the early Christian ascetics.
Not among Merton's best. He was very selective in what sayings he included and one could do much better reading 'The Life of St. Anthony,' Benedicta Ward's 'Sayings of the Desert Fathers,' Pachomius, etc.
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Read in January, 1993
recommends it for:
Lost souls, found souls
One of the most influential books I read in high school. Can't find my copy and would love to swap with someone who trusts I'll return it.
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Some of these are great, others are bizarre. Only a few are too strange or boring. Overall, even in their strangeness, I was intrigued.
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
monks and those who a pondered the thought of becoming a monk.
Enjoyable. Thoughtful. And makes me want to read a Thomas Merton book.
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