Thomas Merton is often considered the most prominent Christian contemplative of the twentieth century, but he was also a political activist, social...
read full description
reviews
Jan 17, 2011
Dan
rated it: 
Thomas Merton: Rebel with an Existential Cause
To describe Thomas Merton as a Trappist monk and writer falls short. In my reading of his ideas, Merton seemed to me to be a “rebel with an existential cause” a sort of James Dean of Catholic philosophers. Maybe there is a ‘bad boy” heritage in Catholicism, that of someone who awakens from debauchery to spirituality (arguably Saint Augustine was one). Or maybe Merton was just born cool. On the cover of Seeds we see Merton standing strong, arms More...
To describe Thomas Merton as a Trappist monk and writer falls short. In my reading of his ideas, Merton seemed to me to be a “rebel with an existential cause” a sort of James Dean of Catholic philosophers. Maybe there is a ‘bad boy” heritage in Catholicism, that of someone who awakens from debauchery to spirituality (arguably Saint Augustine was one). Or maybe Merton was just born cool. On the cover of Seeds we see Merton standing strong, arms More...
Jul 08, 2009
Alison
rated it: 
Thomas Merton has got to be the sexiest monk that ever lived...and not sexy in the American Hollywood adolescent sense, but sexy in the juicy, raw, fire-in-your-veins, full of life sense. He was a man who reflected, questioned, challenged, and committed himself to the difficult practice of living what he preached. A religious man who went beyond the trappings of religion to the deeper meanings and exploration of the existential experience...A monk who was the opposite of a passive hermit; an a
More...
Aug 25, 2007
Josie
rated it:
Non-fiction. A book to read & think about one little chunk at a time...Merton's critique of world societies driven by technology, acquisition and self-deluding/complacent spirituality forces you to think .Not an easy read at first, but you want to stay with it! Amazing insights. His life is amazing. Born in 1915 in France. Experiences loss & turbulence. Travels between Europe & US with his father. Highly intelligent but feeling lost / seeking meaning. In young & crazy days, he lost his scholarsh
More...
May 10, 2011
A book that changed my life! It was my first introduction to the writing of Thomas Merton. Robert Inchausti has successfully drawn paragraphs from Merton's many works and compiled them together under themes such as "Real and False Selves" and "Unquiet City". Each paragraph is like a stepping stone on a path that leads the reader deeper into the knowledge of self, man, and God.
Oct 21, 2010
Patti
rated it:
This book was so timely for me. I read it and then journalized each thought/meditation that impacted me.
Oct 25, 2007
Naomi
rated it:
As time goes by this book is more revelant, not less. It helps to differentiate between illusion and reality. It gives us the right and obligation to call out the absurdity in society, to turn our backs on it and face the truth stamped within us.
Nov 14, 2011
Oct 17, 2011
Sep 19, 2011
Aug 08, 2011
Jul 25, 2011
Jul 21, 2011
Jul 19, 2011
Jul 19, 2011
Jun 13, 2011
Jun 08, 2011
