Information about Thomas Merton

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I saw a suggestion from a Buddhist that Catholics could benefit from the writings of Thomas Merton. For some reason my thought is that his writings strayed a bit (or a lot?) from orthodox Catholic teaching.
Does anyone have a site to direct me to? Or other information on Merton?
Thank you!
 
I recall some general advice that his earlier books are better.
 
i read his book “New Seeds of Contemplation” and there was nothing in it that strayed from the contemplative desert tradition of the Catholic Church.

so if you’re worried about him getting too unorthodox for your tastes, i can say that this one book is safe reading.
 
As far as I know, all of his books had imprimatur, nihil obstat, all of that. Be assured, if you want to hear someone talking about what sin really means, Thomas Merton will not disappoint. But his books do get more and more mystical, and many people find the writing of the mystics tough going and certainly easy to misinterpret if you don’t have a prayer life going yourself. Merton did some dialogue with monks from the Eastern mystic traditions, but in spite of many commonalities, there were differences that could not be bridged.

“Seven Storey Mountain”, his autobiography that covers his journey from a essentially secular childhood to amoral young adulthood to joining the Catholic faith to joining a Trappist monastery (the four wall of his new freedom, he called it) is something I would recommend to anyone, though.
 
When I mentioned Thomas Merton to my military chaplain his response was, “Merton died just in time.” After reading most of what Merton wrote, including volumes of his unabridged journals, I now understand what the chaplain meant. Merton was really getting way out there with his involvement with Eastern spirituality. During this time, he was living in his hermitage and separating himself from the Cistercian lifestyle, not to mention having frequent friends visit one of which “won his heart.” Early Merton writings are fine-watch out for his later ones.

Micki
 
If you haven’t already done so, it sounds like you might be ready to acquire a spiritual director. Merton was an advocate of that for those whose walk was taking them towards the mystic. Merton’s “Seven Story Mountain” changed my life.
 
michael servant:
Merton’s “Seven Story Mountain” changed my life.
Click to expand...
Same here.

Kate,
I love Merton and have read much of his bibliography. I doubt he will ever be canonized because he battled many demons in his life and was a far from perfect man, but I find him much easier to relate to than some of the more “perfect” Christians and the ease of relating to him was instrumental in bringing me back to the Church.

He is absolutely one of the most important Christian writers of the 20th century and I strongly recommend all of his work when you’re ready for it. You might find the best approach is to read him chronologically so you can see the evolution of his beliefs and practice.
 
I read “No Man is an Island” and “Seven Storey Mountain” both by Merton. Both were excellent. I highly recommend them.
 
Same here . . . Seven Storey Mountain and New Seeds Of Contemplation are very good.
 
I am gonna have to agree here too… Seven Storey Mountain is a good read. I haven’t read the others yet.
 
There are two very good talks about how Merton dissented available from www.keepthefaith.org
Just type in “merton” in the search area. One is by Alice Von Hildebrand. The other is by Dr. Robert Royal. Both are very fair and intellectual, in my opinion.
 
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