Thomas Merton the Buddhist

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Everyman

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Okay, can anyone help me understand the thinking of Thomas Merton? I ran across a web site last night that claimed Merton as the most influential New Age thinker. They also quoted him supposedly saying “I want to be the best Buddhist I can.”

Over Christmas, I read his Seven-Storey Mountain and did not pick up on any such attitude. What’s the truth behind this?
 
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Everyman:
Okay, can anyone help me understand the thinking of Thomas Merton? I ran across a web site last night that claimed Merton as the most influential New Age thinker. They also quoted him supposedly saying “I want to be the best Buddhist I can.”

Over Christmas, I read his Seven-Storey Mountain and did not pick up on any such attitude. What’s the truth behind this?
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In my opinion, he got very weird in the last few years of his life. I have a friend who was with him at the monastary who was less than impressed with him.

Frankly, I’ve never been a huge Merton fan.

Blessings,
 
David Zampino:
In my opinion, he got very weird in the last few years of his life. I have a friend who was with him at the monastary who was less than impressed with him.

Frankly, I’ve never been a huge Merton fan.

Blessings,
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This is really disappointing. Would you be able to elaborate on you or your friend’s thoughts of him being wierd?
 
While Merton certain is not infallible, and like all the mystics needs to be read with care and understanding, he was a brilliant man who has much to say to us. Your own experience of Seven Storey Mountain would seem to indicate that you already suspected that though.

Peace,
 
Thomas Merton is a fantastic writer, extremely bright, witty and can also be very mystical. All his books are a wealth of information and spiritual insights. He’s written on many topics and in various styles. There are journals, spiritual writings, historical writings, poetry, Eastern writings…etc. Some have written to stay away from Merton. I’ve personally read 30 or more of his books over the last 35 years and have found little or nothing in them to warrant warning someone away. Admittedly, some books are better than others and again, it would depend of what you’d like to read about. I think the Seven Storey Mountain is a classic and would be worthwhile for anyone to read and enjoy. New Seeds of Contemplation, Waters of Siloe, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander…these are all wonderful books.
His interest in Eastern religions, far from being something to be wary of, is a look at their technique and how they live, not their theology. Merton talks about NOT buying into their theology, but to try and learn their language and in some instances to pick up insights to their traditions and mystical experiences so as to enrich our own. As I said before, I’ve been reading Merton and many books about Merton (even some who do not like him and some who I think did not understand him) for a long while now, and each time I read one of his books (or a book I’ve read before) I continually come away with something new. I know that he,through his writings converted many to Christ (myself included). I never considered that a bad thing. 😃
God Bless…

prayeroffire.blogspot.com/
 
Read Seven Storey Mountain and forget everything else. In his later years poor Merton became confused and did some foolish things.
 
Read the Seven Story Mountain and of course his other works.

As far as what you read in here or on the web? Father Thomas is not here to defend himself, so ignore it.

Jim
 
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