What do you think?
Rate this book
The Monastic Journey
Book by Thomas Merton
185 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1977
3 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Merton
554 books1,900 followersThomas Merton, religious name M. Louis, was an American Trappist monk, writer, theologian, mystic, poet, social activist and scholar of comparative religion. In December 1941 he entered the Trappist Abbey of Gethsemani and in May 1949 he was ordained to priesthood. He was a member of the convent of the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, near Bardstown, Kentucky, living there from 1941 to his death.
Merton wrote more than 50 books in a period of 27 years, mostly on spirituality, social justice and a quiet pacifism, as well as scores of essays and reviews. Among Merton's most enduring works is his bestselling autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain (1948). His account of his spiritual journey inspired scores of World War II veterans, students, and teenagers to explore offerings of monasteries across the US. It is on National Review's list of the 100 best nonfiction books of the century.
Merton became a keen proponent of interfaith understanding, exploring Eastern religions through his study of mystic practice. His interfaith conversation, which preserved both Protestant and Catholic theological positions, helped to build mutual respect via their shared experiences at a period of heightened hostility. He is particularly known for having pioneered dialogue with prominent Asian spiritual figures, including the Dalai Lama XIV; Japanese writer D.T. Suzuki; Thai Buddhist monk Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, and Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh. He traveled extensively in the course of meeting with them and attending international conferences on religion. In addition, he wrote books on Zen Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, and how Christianity is related to them. This was highly unusual at the time in the United States, particularly within the religious orders.
Merton wrote more than 50 books in a period of 27 years, mostly on spirituality, social justice and a quiet pacifism, as well as scores of essays and reviews. Among Merton's most enduring works is his bestselling autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain (1948). His account of his spiritual journey inspired scores of World War II veterans, students, and teenagers to explore offerings of monasteries across the US. It is on National Review's list of the 100 best nonfiction books of the century.
Merton became a keen proponent of interfaith understanding, exploring Eastern religions through his study of mystic practice. His interfaith conversation, which preserved both Protestant and Catholic theological positions, helped to build mutual respect via their shared experiences at a period of heightened hostility. He is particularly known for having pioneered dialogue with prominent Asian spiritual figures, including the Dalai Lama XIV; Japanese writer D.T. Suzuki; Thai Buddhist monk Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, and Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh. He traveled extensively in the course of meeting with them and attending international conferences on religion. In addition, he wrote books on Zen Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, and how Christianity is related to them. This was highly unusual at the time in the United States, particularly within the religious orders.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 27, 2018
This is a great introduction to the monastic (Benedictine/Cistercian) life. It should be read slowly but regularly in order to really absorb the spiritual lessons he gives, but the preface and introduction are especially helpful in giving insight to what it means to be a monk in the 20th (21st) century (especially for those who know very little about contemporary monasticism). As with most of Merton, it's very well written, and its spiritual conclusions are poignant and accurate.
April 25, 2022
Much to think about
Edit: thought about much
“The absence of the transcendent God is also, paradoxically, his immanent presence, though it may well be that recollection, silence and a certain measure of withdrawal from the agitation of life are necessary for perceiving this.”
Edit: thought about much
“The absence of the transcendent God is also, paradoxically, his immanent presence, though it may well be that recollection, silence and a certain measure of withdrawal from the agitation of life are necessary for perceiving this.”
March 18, 2022
Difficult to review. Not meant for me. Made me go a little crazy. Pushed my thinking about contemplation.
August 21, 2025
A POSTHUMOUS COLLECTION OF MERTON'S LATER WRITINGS ON MONASTICISM
Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was a Trappist monk of the Abbey of Gethsemani, Kentucky, as well as a best-selling writer, poet, social activist, and student of comparative religion. Tragically, he was accidentally electrocuted while in Thailand at a conference of Christian and non-Christian monks. This 1977 book is a collection of Merton's writings from the last decade of his life, containing reflections on community monastic living and the contemplative experience.
He suggests, "The discipline of the monastic life is all directed to one end: the development of this 'purity of heart' which is a condition of peace, self-forgetfulness, humility, unconcern with the images and preoccupations of a life dominated by servile care." (Pg. 24) He states, "Monastic discipline gives the monk mastery over his own liberty, so that he is at last capable of a full and spontaneous self-surrender to his perfect good, which is charity." (Pg. 79)
He later adds, "But neither is Christian monasticism adequately defined as a quest of perfection. A Zen Buddhist... may enter a monastery to seek a life of retirement and spiritual discipline. He is perhaps seeking the highest reality. He is seeking 'liberation.' Now if we enter the monastery seeking the highest reality, seeking perfection, we must realize that for us this means something somewhat more than it can ever mean for a Zen Buddhist." (Pg. 31)
He argues, "The solitary life in the strict sense is the crown of the monastic vocation. Though not all monks are called to the solitary life permanently, and though the relative solitude of a silent community may normally be sufficient, there are nevertheless some monks who need a greater degree of solitude than is offered by the cenobitic life." (Pg. 179) He notes at the end, "When I first became a monk, yes, I was more sure of 'answers.' But as I grow old in the monastic life, and advance further into solitude, I become aware that I have only begun to seek the questions." (Pg. 220)
Although not an integrated "book," this collection contains numerous "gems" of insight, and will be of great interest to all of Merton's readers.
Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was a Trappist monk of the Abbey of Gethsemani, Kentucky, as well as a best-selling writer, poet, social activist, and student of comparative religion. Tragically, he was accidentally electrocuted while in Thailand at a conference of Christian and non-Christian monks. This 1977 book is a collection of Merton's writings from the last decade of his life, containing reflections on community monastic living and the contemplative experience.
He suggests, "The discipline of the monastic life is all directed to one end: the development of this 'purity of heart' which is a condition of peace, self-forgetfulness, humility, unconcern with the images and preoccupations of a life dominated by servile care." (Pg. 24) He states, "Monastic discipline gives the monk mastery over his own liberty, so that he is at last capable of a full and spontaneous self-surrender to his perfect good, which is charity." (Pg. 79)
He later adds, "But neither is Christian monasticism adequately defined as a quest of perfection. A Zen Buddhist... may enter a monastery to seek a life of retirement and spiritual discipline. He is perhaps seeking the highest reality. He is seeking 'liberation.' Now if we enter the monastery seeking the highest reality, seeking perfection, we must realize that for us this means something somewhat more than it can ever mean for a Zen Buddhist." (Pg. 31)
He argues, "The solitary life in the strict sense is the crown of the monastic vocation. Though not all monks are called to the solitary life permanently, and though the relative solitude of a silent community may normally be sufficient, there are nevertheless some monks who need a greater degree of solitude than is offered by the cenobitic life." (Pg. 179) He notes at the end, "When I first became a monk, yes, I was more sure of 'answers.' But as I grow old in the monastic life, and advance further into solitude, I become aware that I have only begun to seek the questions." (Pg. 220)
Although not an integrated "book," this collection contains numerous "gems" of insight, and will be of great interest to all of Merton's readers.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews