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100th out of 126 books
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25 voters
No Man Is an Island
Here, in one of his most popular of his more than thirty books, Thomas Merton provides further meditations on the spiritual life in sixteen thoughtful essays, beginning with his classic treatise "Love Can Be Kept Only by Being Given Away." This sequel to Seeds of Contemplation provides fresh insight into Merton's favorite topics of silence and solitude, while also undersc...more
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
June 14th 2005
by Shambhala
(first published January 1st 1955)
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Apr 24, 2013
booklady
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2013,
favorites,
non-fiction,
philosophy,
poetry,
prayer,
religion,
worth-reading-over-and-over,
spiritual,
scripture,
theology,
2009,
2006
Just one listen and that's not enough. Like Contemplative Prayer I am going to need to listen to this again ... and probably again and again before I can write a review. He's not easy! But taking a break in between to listen to The Intimate Merton: His Life from His Journals, while I read a bio about him as well.
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A good read, but might be more frustrating than enlightening depending on where you're coming from. Merton does a great job of describing the spiritual plight of humanity (particularly the plight of humans who cultivate no sense of the spirit), but his prescriptive assertions are too narrow to be of much use to anyone who isn't already a devout Christian. As a quasi-skeptic (and seeker of truth) with a history with religion, I found plenty to think about and relate to here, but also plenty to qu...more
Apr 17, 2009
Reed
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
recommended,
christianity
Having just finished No Man Is an Island, I can honestly say that it is one of the best spiritual books I've read. This is the second of Merton's that I've read. I took awhile to read it only because I was only reading one small part at a time. But lately, I've devoured it. He speaks to the depths of the spiritual life with compassion, honesty, and simplicity. Merton seems to strike the proper balance between mysticism and practical living, or rather mysticism in practical living.
The last chapte...more
The last chapte...more
7 likes · like · see review
I believe that love is the highest human aim. What Merton has done here is talk about love well. He exposes false love, and examines the mechanics of proper and pure love. For that, I would like to give him 5 stars, but that would do more to betray the relevance and timeliness of his message in my life than to attest to the work's literary merit. Not that the writing is lacking- Merton is a pleasure to read.
Many topics are covered in these essays, some of them more religiously specific than oth...more
Many topics are covered in these essays, some of them more religiously specific than oth...more
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One of Merton's absolute best books! If you really want to understand why you're on this planet and how to live within it with any sense of sanity, read this book. It will put so much in perspective. I can't say enough good things about it!
I have been reading this forever. At first, I couldn't get past the all male language that he uses throughout. The only feminine language used is when referencing the Church, although in both negative and positive lights, the Church, in this book, is in direct conversation with God. Of the conversation partners, God, is always male.
So after I got over that - this book is AMAZING! Theology is inspiring and clearly comes from a place of experience and practice. Merton is both a practitioner, acad...more
So after I got over that - this book is AMAZING! Theology is inspiring and clearly comes from a place of experience and practice. Merton is both a practitioner, acad...more
I've read this book at least three times before and always get it (or any Thomas Merton book) when the business of the world becomes overwhelming (note that reading occurred around Christmas).
It's not a quick read. There is much to reflect on. I mistakenly thought that I would read it faster than a few pages a night since I had mined this material before and time had made me seemingly wiser. This proved not to be the case.
It's a spiritual book and I am far from an expert on all that it has to sa...more
It's not a quick read. There is much to reflect on. I mistakenly thought that I would read it faster than a few pages a night since I had mined this material before and time had made me seemingly wiser. This proved not to be the case.
It's a spiritual book and I am far from an expert on all that it has to sa...more
Growing up in a sub-culture where black is black and white is white, and all shades or grey in between are either swept under the carpet or worse, denied, can lead to anxious frustrations and an inability to deal honestly with the real complexities of life. Often surfacing from this type of orientation to life are indications of marked defensiveness, ongoing protection of one’s self image, a deep-rooted guilt complex, and continuous justification of one’s actions. When faced with the inconsisten...more
Amazing. Breathetaking. I adore this book. I have never given a book a five because there is no such thing as perfection but this book is more or less perfect it is that close. For a million hundred different reasons that is hard for me to explain. But I shall try, yes it is a religious book so it is about god or partly about god and our relationship to him but its not just about that. Its about us as humans and our flaws and our perfections, its about our connection to ourselves to others to th...more
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As a person, I find Thomas Merton really interesting. About a year ago I read a 4-part biography about some key Catholic writers of the 20th century. Besides Merton, the biography also featured Flannery O'Connor, Dorothy Day, and Walker Percy and I found each of these individuals to be extremely interesting people, especially in their interpretation of personal faith into their writing craft and their lifestyles. After reading No Man is an Island, I have to say that I enjoy reading about Merton...more
This is the first book by Thomas Merton that I've read; I liked it and found it challenging. It seems like basically a series of reflections on various spiritual topics that Merton was thinking about--almost like reading someone's journal, but more structured. Its full of fantastic and sometimes unsettling insights into human beings, the inner life, sin, and the character of God. Here's a sample:
"When a man constantly looks and looks at himself in the mirror of his own acts, his spiritual doubl...more
"When a man constantly looks and looks at himself in the mirror of his own acts, his spiritual doubl...more
This delivers as much as a punch of theology in a much thinner book than John Piper crams into Desiring God. I'm not trying to show Piper disrespect, but Merton is much more succinct and I daresay eloquent in his expostulation on faith, Christianity and spirituality. There is one chapter in there on the Virgin Mary which made me, a Protestant, a bit uneasy, but all in all, his theology is sound and rocked my spiritual socks off. A must-read for anyone exploring the depths of their faith.
Mar 16, 2012
Emily
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Every Christian in the world
One of the best, most thought-provoking book on spirituality that I have ever read. I will, undoubtedly, read this book again and again. The chapters are independant essays and stand alone, which makes it easy to pick up and re-read now and then. Merton's insights are astounding, yet his words gentle and soothing.
I started to write that I found this book in a used book store a couple weeks ago, but actually I feel like it found me. I love this book.
This book is the 1955 copyright.
I started to write that I found this book in a used book store a couple weeks ago, but actually I feel like it found me. I love this book.
This book is the 1955 copyright.
Merton at his best. No Man is an Island is a penetrating search into both the love of God, the love he has for humanity and the love that humanity should have for one another as it gets worked out in the sacramental structures of the people of God. Catholics will of course enjoy this more than Protestants; however, in my opinion, the sort of theology that Merton produces is sorely needed in Protestant churches, both mainline and evangelical.
This was practically my "bible" for many, many years. A couple of the chapters are outdated and seem wanting, but most is to me the cornerstone of how one can make a leap of faith in God through Jesus Christ while at the same time make some logical sense out of the whole experience. I think the book also was the first required book to read by novice monks at that monastery, but I may be mistaken.
In some aspects, this is a step above the typical evangelical devotional. Most of the chapters carry a great deal more depth and meaning, more insightful commentary on love, hope, self-denial, etc. However, some chapters get bogged down in weighty Christian philosophical/theological meditations, especially those chapters concerned with the monastic life. On the whole, about half of it is a fantastic read for the layman (especially the Prologue and chapters on Love, Hope, Being and Doing, and Sil...more
Most of this book is kind of preachy and outdated, I'd probably give it 3 stars. However, essays like chapter 7 "Being and Doing" are absolutely incredible - 5 stars. So I averaged the two. I recommend flipping through the chapters and reading any that you find interesting. Merton is such an interesting fellow and I am quite intrigued by his wonderful use of logic and debate.
anyone and everyone seeking spiritual reflections/insights - thomas merton ought to be on list. his writings are gorgeous and poetic, and will prove helpful for all struggling to find meaning to one's human existence, provides the richness in example, for those who seek to persue a full and noble life.
simply beautiful work and his other writings are recommended...
simply beautiful work and his other writings are recommended...
I Have been reading many spiritual books: Zen and Tibetan Buddhism and Christianity, and I must say No Man is an Island is the greatest book I have read so far. This is not one of those books one can just read and understand (even though it is written in simple English). This book should be read by all who are seeking for meanings in life and in their relationship with God.
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This book changed my life. Right from the first page. I've read other books by Merton, some of which are quite complicated, but this one I loved. I read it every few years. Reminds me about what is important, to get out of myself, to listen to others, to learn, to remain teachable, to find what your purpose in life is and use the talents God has given you.
1 like · like · see review
An incredibly dense set of essays that need to be taken slowly, else you risk missing the full impact of Merton's wisdom. His words build, circle back, progress, and then hit a point of paradox that feels so true-to-life I sat there and reveled in the fact that someone had managed to express it with mere language. My favorite chapters were Silence, Being and Doing, and The Inward Solitude. I kept forgetting that I was borrowing a friend's copy of the book, so I would fumble for a pen to notate a...more
NMIAI gets my highest recommendation. Merton was a true Christian, a true genius. He had his thumb on the pulse of humanity, its many cultures and ways of thinking. Oftentimes in this book I felt as though he was addressing me personally- he is that good at diagnosing the human condition. Get it, read it.
"If you are a reflective thinker that does not mind being challenged to confront the reality of Christ in your inward transformation this is a must read. This is not the kind of book that one can read quickly but in fact it will give you a greater appreciation of what it means to be fully alive in Christ!"
This is one to read several pages or even several paragraphs at a time, with pauses in between to chew on or discuss with a friend. I found myself underlining a lot. It isn't an easy read, and Merton wades into some pretty deep water at times, but if you can stay with him, it's worth the effort. I'm recommending it to everyone I know at the moment.
I've tried to read this book several times and while I appreciate the tone and quality of the writing, I simply give up on ever finding this book engaging. I may try to read something else written by Merton someday but after at least three attempts to read and enjoy this book, I give up.
Really insightful stuff, I'll definitely be reading more of his work. This is one of those books that I spent just as much time (if not more time) considering and turning over his thoughts and ideas as I did reading them. Several times I had to put it down to let my mind digest what I had just read. To me that is a sign of a good, solidly genuine and inspiring book.
This book had been on my to-read list for almost 8 years! It was given to me by a close friend in high school.
Merton's reflections on how to incorporate a spiritual life into our everyday lives were refreshing. Merton had a deep understanding of what makes us human, and how we can re-orient our lives to find fulfillment.
Merton's reflections on how to incorporate a spiritual life into our everyday lives were refreshing. Merton had a deep understanding of what makes us human, and how we can re-orient our lives to find fulfillment.
A collection of essays focused on the life and importance of our spirit.
This book was introduced to me by my mother and I carried it with me in my travels to work in other parts of the world.
It is powerful stuff.
This book was introduced to me by my mother and I carried it with me in my travels to work in other parts of the world.
It is powerful stuff.
Just one of the those books you want to hang onto and keep reading. It's not preachy, it's not too religious... It's like you are taking a journey through moonlit, wooded streams at midnight.
I read this book at the age of 15 or 16. Being very silly at the time, I didn't get much out of this book. I remember vaguely liking it. I should read this again, I'd probably enjoy it more.
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Thomas Merton was one of the most influential Catholic authors of the 20th century. A Trappist monk of the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, in the American state of Kentucky, Merton was an acclaimed Catholic spiritual writer, poet, author and social activist. Merton wrote over 60 books, scores of essays and reviews, and is the ongoing subject of many biographies. Merton was also a proponent of int...more
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“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
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“The beginning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image. If in loving them we do not love what they are, but only their potential likeness to ourselves, then we do not love them: we only love the reflection of ourselves we find in them”
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