Thomas Merton

[CharlesLouis]

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was a contemplative monk who spent 27 years inside the walls of a Trappist monastery in Kentucky. Only in his last year was he permitted to travel at any length. Even though he was never at Auschwitz this poetry places him there so as to let a generous sensitivity and tenacious faith like his respond to this horrendous calamity.

Merton stands for all those who, in the light of Auschwitz, ask the question: where was God, and in so asking expose their belief to severe trial. Merton’s struggle with this question was lived out elsewhere. Only the location has been shifted in the poetry that follows.

Poetry entitled Thomas Merton in Auschwitz

 

[Michael_Mayo]

Died December 10

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I love the writings of Thomas Merton. His are a mature teaching on the spiritual life, put into contemporary language.

He led me toward contemplative prayer and I never looked back.

Jim

 

[christofirst]

Reading Merton’s *The Seven Storey Mountain *was pivotal in my own journey of faith as a young adult. His intellect far surpasses my own, and I often struggle with his more academic works. Good to remember him today.

 

[suko]

Yeah, I had heard his early works were really good. However, in his later ones, I had heard he starts to get a little New Agey, and so I would exercise extreme caution in those ones.

I remember Fr. John Hardon called him out as being the leader of the New Age Movement in the U.S., since he wanted to build some of those “meditation” chapels (and started adopting some of those Eastern beliefs/philosophies and incorporating them into Christianity which u just can’t do).

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Yeah, I had heard his early works were really good. However, in his later ones, I had heard he starts to get a little New Agey, and so I would exercise extreme caution in those ones.

Well you heard wrong.

I’m surprised a post like this didn’t come up sooner.

Jim

 

[suko]

Well you heard wrong.

The only thing I can suggest to u is to read up more about him from other well-known Catholics such as Fr. John Hardon and see what they have to say about him: therealpresence.org/archives/Heresies_Heretics/Heresies_Heretics_004.htm

 

[JimR-OCDS]

The only thing I can suggest to u is to read up more about him from other well-known Catholics such as Fr. John Hardon and see what they have to say about him: therealpresence.org/archives/Heresies_Heretics/Heresies_Heretics_004.htm

I have read and I’ve seen the debates right here in this forum on them.

Not every priest agrees with Fr Merton, just as most priest would disagree with Fr Hardon’s opinion of him.

All of Thomas Merton’s works, except one or two, had the Imprimatur.

The one I know of which doesn’t have the Imprimatur is, Zen and Birds of Appetite, would not have it, because it was about Zen, not Catholcism per se. However, Merton takes a look at the similarities in Zen with Catholicism and where they are compatible and it’s a good read.

Jim

 

[nuntym]

+JMJ+

I remember Fr. John Hardon called him out as being the leader of the New Age Movement in the U.S., since he wanted to build some of those “meditation” chapels (and started adopting some of those Eastern beliefs/philosophies and incorporating them into Christianity which u just can’t do).

Thanks for this, I searched the Internet and found what you were mentioning here: therealpresence.org/archives/Heresies_Heretics/Heresies_Heretics_004.htm

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Fr Hardon says Thomas Merton was the leader of the New Age Movement?

Please, this is about as clueless as you can get.

Jim

 

[suko]

Fr Hardon says Thomas Merton was the leader of the New Age Movement? Please, this is about as clueless as you can get.

You have to give Fr. Hardon some credit, though. He actually spoke to the man (many of us can’t say the same thing), and attempted to work with Thomas Merton person to person, but obviously, his ideas rubbed off on him the wrong way.

It seems there’s even an article right here on the Catholic Answers website about Thomas Merton, that was also published in their Catholic Answers magazine: This Rock. Here’s the link: catholic.com/magazine/articles/can-you-trust-thomas-merton ~ It’s also pointed out near the end of the article:

*"Read with Caution

By 1966 Merton’s writings begin to turn East toward Chinese and Japanese religious traditions. Starting with Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander, his books begin to criticize the West and find answers in the East. Following are only a few examples of his more questionable works."*

And he goes on to list the questionable works.

God bless!

 

[Michael_Mayo]

We need to look at non Christian religions in a new way, recognoze what is good in them. Pope Francis has a section on this in his latest Exhortation.

 

[christofirst]

Some people will never be comfortable with interreligious dialogue, because they see it as a threat leading to syncretism, or watering down the faith to find common ground. For some, the dialogue goes too far, and for others, not far enough, so it will always be a touchy subject, in my opinion. Nevertheless, the Church is open to such dialogue. It is even a special charism with some religious orders (like the Camaldolese), which naturally involves exploring the other faith traditions. My feeling is that Merton knew what he was doing, and he was in no way about to leave the Catholic Faith when his untimely death occurred, and he certainly had the blessing of his religious superiors (who also edited his literary output extensively).

Speaking of Merton, one thing I have enjoyed - a blessing of modern technology - is hearing some of his actual lectures given as novice master at the monastery which have been recorded and uploaded on Youtube. His mind seemed to be going a million miles an hour - a gifted man indeed.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

suko

You have to give Fr. Hardon some credit, though. He actually spoke to the man (many of us can’t say the same thing), and attempted to work with Thomas Merton person to person, but obviously, his ideas rubbed off on him the wrong way.

Well, who was Fr Hardon that he should feel the need to work with Thomas Merton to reform him ?

I have spoken to Trappist Monks who knew and lived with Thomas Merton. None of the negatives that are written about him these days are true, according to them.

This website is hostile to anyone they perceive as not being their style of Catholic, and Thomas Merton has been a target as long as I’ve been here.

It’s why most contemplatives rarely come here.

I should follow their lead.

Jim

 

[christofirst]

This website is hostile to anyone they perceive as not being their style of Catholic, and Thomas Merton has been a target as long as I’ve been here.

It’s why most contemplatives rarely come here.

I should follow their lead.

Jim

No! We need the balance which you and others provide. Stay.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

When it comes to Merton and others who have an interest in nonChristian religions, they have been liberated from the fear of deviating from the strict limits of a Eurocentric form of Christianity. We need not have this fear, “As Christians, we can also benefit from these treasures built up over many centuries, which can help us better to live our own beliefs.” Thomas Merton was a trail blazer, orthodox and in good standing with the Catholic Church. He was able to recognize channels of the Holy Spirit already present, though perhaps hidden or obscured, especially in Buddhism. Bede Griffiths was another who recognized the same in Hinduism.

Interreligious dialogue
250.
An attitude of openness in truth and in love must characterize the dialogue with the followers of non-Christian religions, in spite of various obstacles and difficulties, especially forms of fundamentalism on both sides. Interreligious dialogue is a necessary condition for peace in the world, and so it is a duty for Christians as well as other religious communities.
Non-Christians, by God’s gracious initiative, when they are faithful to their own consciences, can live “justified by the grace of God”, and thus be “associated to the paschal mystery of Jesus Christ”. But due to the sacramental dimension of sanctifying grace, God’s working in them tends to produce signs and rites, sacred expressions which in turn bring others to a communitarian experience of journeying towards God. While these lack the meaning and efficacy of the sacraments instituted by Christ, they can be channels which the Holy Spirit raises up in order to liberate non-Christians from atheistic immanentism or from purely individual religious experiences. The same Spirit everywhere brings forth various forms of practical wisdom which help people to bear suffering and to live in greater peace and harmony. As Christians, we can also benefit from these treasures built up over many centuries, which can help us better to live our own beliefs.
vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium_en.pdf

 

[Pitcharan]

I think this is the bottom line, irrespective of whether you approve or condemn New Age methods and whether or not you believe in IRD:
“Though we belong to different religions, ideologies and denominations, our quest is common. When we see clearly before our eyes, many demonstrating proof of having been transformed into beings that we ourselves yearn to be, then we are bound to take a look at their methods even if we had hitherto condemned or rejected them. Anyone with genuine quest for truth would never fail to recognize truth even if it is to be found in the least expected place.”

I am not suggesting that there is no risk; even our Lord cautions about elect being deceived. But then, both elect and ordinary depend on the Holy Spirit. So, if there is a risk then it is allowed by God as His way of proving those who belong to Him.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

I think this is the bottom line, irrespective of whether you approve or condemn New Age methods and whether or not you believe in IRD:
“Though we belong to different religions, ideologies and denominations, our quest is common. When we see clearly before our eyes, many demonstrating proof of having been transformed into beings that we ourselves yearn to be, then we are bound to take a look at their methods even if we had hitherto condemned or rejected them. Anyone with genuine quest for truth would never fail to recognize truth even if it is to be found in the least expected place.”

I am not suggesting that there is no risk; even our Lord cautions about elect being deceived. But then, both elect and ordinary depend on the Holy Spirit. So, if there is a risk then it is allowed by God as His way of proving those who belong to Him.

I am anot even sure there is much of a risk as long as we are well grounded in our own tradition. Then we can appreciate what truth there might be in other traditions. Christ brings all things together in Himself.

 

[TimothyH]

suko

Well, who was Fr Hardon that he should feel the need to work with Thomas Merton to reform him ?

I have spoken to Trappist Monks who knew and lived with Thomas Merton. None of the negatives that are written about him these days are true, according to them.

This website is hostile to anyone they perceive as not being their style of Catholic, and Thomas Merton has been a target as long as I’ve been here.

It’s why most contemplatives rarely come here.

I should follow their lead.

Jim

I am a fan of Thomas Merton but we have to be honest. Most contemplatives don’t come here because they are cloistered monks and nuns. Most of these are not allowed to go on the internet unless they are required to do so because of their jobs.

The Cistercian monks near me (Merton was Cistercian - OCSO) are allowed one hour per week on the internet and that is monitored. Going on the internet is just not something that contemplative cloistered monastics do. They spend seven hours every day praying, and the rest of their time working, sleeping, reading, etc., and this they do day after day, year after year…

Young monk: Good morning Brother. How are you?
Old monk: The same.

…or so the joke goes.

There is one user, bmonk, who is Benedictine. That is the only contemplative I know who comes here. Brother David (O. Carm) of blessed memory used to come here but the good theif came and took him home to the Lord.

-Tim-

 

[JimR-OCDS]

TimothyH;

I am a fan of Thomas Merton but we have to be honest. Most contemplatives don’t come here because they are cloistered monks and nuns. Most of these are not allowed to go on the internet unless they are required to do so because of their jobs.

Not all contemplatives are monks and nuns, many are lay people and several use to come into this forum, but no longer do. I still correspond with them.

Jim