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The New Man
The New Man shows Thomas Merton at the height of his powers and has as its theme the question of spiritual identity. What must we do to recover possession of our true selves? By way of an answer, Merton discusses how we have become strangers to ourselves by our depence on outward identity and success, while our real need is for a concern with the image of God in ourselves. At a time of retrieval of our religious traditions, Merton's voice is both intelligent and spiritually compelling.Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk, is perhaps the foremost spiritual thinker of the twentiethcentury. His diaries, social commentary, and spiritual writings continue to be widely read after his untimely death in 1968.
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1961
45 people are currently reading
330 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.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 31, 2020
Thomas, your ways are certainly higher than my ways.
The book starts off with this statement, "Life and death are at war within us. As soon as we are born, we begin at the same time to live and die." And then essentially carries on with a spiritual and philosophical bombardment for the next 240+ pages.
The four stars are for the breath and depth of the quest to put words to spiritual and existential streams that invisibly flow beneath all of reality. Much of this characteristic Merton mysticism is largely out of reach for the non-contemplative mind, like myself. His words are like windows that let you see out towards the universe beyond and simultaneously see into and through your own self. They are also like the wind, which you can feel and acknowledge its existence, but as soon as you try and grasp it, it's nowhere to be found. The missing star is mainly due to my own personal reading experience. A Catholic sacramental understanding would certainly help you through various sections as well, which is not something I possess.
Portions of The New Man I am just not quite ready for at this stage of my spiritual education. But the parts you can make his work so worth it. The feelings of borderline enlightenment are near ecstatic. And I believe the more I learn and grow the more I will get upon a return to this book. A true modern contemplative genius (IMHO) who inspires me in a certain kinda way. The first chapter is maybe one of the greatest chapters of anything I've ever read.
For example: "Contemplation is a foretaste of the definitive victory of life over death in our souls... For at such moments 'life' and 'reality' and 'God' cease to be concepts which we think about and becomes realities in which we consciously participate."
And one of my all time favourite Merton quotes: "The pure summit of our own actuality is the threshold of His Sanctuary, and He is nearer to us then we are to ourselves."
Wild.
The book starts off with this statement, "Life and death are at war within us. As soon as we are born, we begin at the same time to live and die." And then essentially carries on with a spiritual and philosophical bombardment for the next 240+ pages.
The four stars are for the breath and depth of the quest to put words to spiritual and existential streams that invisibly flow beneath all of reality. Much of this characteristic Merton mysticism is largely out of reach for the non-contemplative mind, like myself. His words are like windows that let you see out towards the universe beyond and simultaneously see into and through your own self. They are also like the wind, which you can feel and acknowledge its existence, but as soon as you try and grasp it, it's nowhere to be found. The missing star is mainly due to my own personal reading experience. A Catholic sacramental understanding would certainly help you through various sections as well, which is not something I possess.
Portions of The New Man I am just not quite ready for at this stage of my spiritual education. But the parts you can make his work so worth it. The feelings of borderline enlightenment are near ecstatic. And I believe the more I learn and grow the more I will get upon a return to this book. A true modern contemplative genius (IMHO) who inspires me in a certain kinda way. The first chapter is maybe one of the greatest chapters of anything I've ever read.
For example: "Contemplation is a foretaste of the definitive victory of life over death in our souls... For at such moments 'life' and 'reality' and 'God' cease to be concepts which we think about and becomes realities in which we consciously participate."
And one of my all time favourite Merton quotes: "The pure summit of our own actuality is the threshold of His Sanctuary, and He is nearer to us then we are to ourselves."
Wild.
January 28, 2025
Although the prose Merton employs in The New Man often feels heavy-handed, it is only because he has given his axiom so much energy any attempt at bedside manner would appear affectatious. That being said, at times I wanted him to hedge his argument more toward the Mystery and away from perceived theological objectivity. However, this book is a life-manual of sorts, and already I have had moments unfold where naturally a connection to his words bloomed into expression, and therefore application.
August 27, 2024
I took a lot of time in digesting this text, and there is much to return to later. There is so much goodness in this work, but it is worth reading for the incredible piece “Promethean Theology” alone.
May 29, 2021
Merton is my jam and reading him over the years I feel has done me a lot of good. A couple of quotes from the book:
"He, Who is the source of all life, could never remain in death, could not see corruption. Death is not a reality, but the absence of a reality. And in Him there is nothing unreal. The fire that springs from the stone speaks, then, of His reality springing from the alienated coldness of our dead hearts, of our souls that have forgotten themselves, that have been exiled from themselves and from their God—and have lost their way in death. But there is nothing lost that God cannot find again. Nothing dead that cannot live again in the presence of His Spirit. No heart so dark, so hopeless, that it cannot be enlightened and brought back to itself, warmed back to the life of charity...
"So profound is the meaning of the Resurrection that everything, even the purest negation, that is touched by its light, acquires something of a positive orientation. Even darkness, even evil, even death, even sin: all of them, seen by the light of the sacramental fire, become capable of helping the work of God. They can contribute accidentally, but existentially, to the life, growth and liberty of our souls. Christ died. But in the darkness of His death, He burst the chains of death for-
ever. Those chains can no longer hold anyone who does not will, of his own free initiative, to remain their prisoner.”
"He, Who is the source of all life, could never remain in death, could not see corruption. Death is not a reality, but the absence of a reality. And in Him there is nothing unreal. The fire that springs from the stone speaks, then, of His reality springing from the alienated coldness of our dead hearts, of our souls that have forgotten themselves, that have been exiled from themselves and from their God—and have lost their way in death. But there is nothing lost that God cannot find again. Nothing dead that cannot live again in the presence of His Spirit. No heart so dark, so hopeless, that it cannot be enlightened and brought back to itself, warmed back to the life of charity...
"So profound is the meaning of the Resurrection that everything, even the purest negation, that is touched by its light, acquires something of a positive orientation. Even darkness, even evil, even death, even sin: all of them, seen by the light of the sacramental fire, become capable of helping the work of God. They can contribute accidentally, but existentially, to the life, growth and liberty of our souls. Christ died. But in the darkness of His death, He burst the chains of death for-
ever. Those chains can no longer hold anyone who does not will, of his own free initiative, to remain their prisoner.”
November 2, 2008
This book, much like a lot of his other works, is absolutely amazing. There is a section in the middle where he gets a bit too esoteric and is harder to follow, but the last 90 pages (from the section "Life in Christ" on) is one of the greatest discourses on the atonement of Jesus Christ and its relation to us ever given. I think that anyone who professes (or desires to profess or understand) a belief in the divinity of Christ should read these final sections. As I have said before, Thomas Merton is one of the greatest prophets this world has known.
December 12, 2019
We can only be fully alive when we are plainly conscious of the meaning of our existence. But meaning is not something we discover in ourselves. "True meaning has to be revealed. It has to be 'given'". Unlike Prometheus, who felt he had to steal "fire" from the gods because they are unwilling to give it, the God revealed in Jesus is more than willing to give the "fire" of divine life. Prometheus is condemned to be his own prisoner because he cannot understand the generosity of God, since he possesses none of it himself. He must steal the divine gifts - achieve them by his own merits. Thus, Merton writes, "The sinner who is ready to accept love as a gift from God is far closer to God than the 'just' man who insists on being loved for his own merits." Ultimately, "The fire has descended upon us from heaven. We have not stolen it, like Prometheus. It has been given to us because the Father wanted us to have it, in order that we might find ourselves, and become His Sons."
March 19, 2023
Priceless
Merton understood both the theological emphases on human sinfulness and the corrosive power of guilt on the soul. In this magnificent book, Merton reminds the reader that we are new people…that God’s Spirit not only covers up our all-too human nature…we are transformed to be what all people were created from the beginning to be: children of God. And as God’s people, we need not fear God…but rather, we can “approach the throne boldly”, knowing our Abba is more eager to extend grace than we are even capable of knowing we need it.
This book should have a prominent place in the library of every serious disciple of Christ…especially those who regularly shepherd a congregation of Christ’s flock.
Merton understood both the theological emphases on human sinfulness and the corrosive power of guilt on the soul. In this magnificent book, Merton reminds the reader that we are new people…that God’s Spirit not only covers up our all-too human nature…we are transformed to be what all people were created from the beginning to be: children of God. And as God’s people, we need not fear God…but rather, we can “approach the throne boldly”, knowing our Abba is more eager to extend grace than we are even capable of knowing we need it.
This book should have a prominent place in the library of every serious disciple of Christ…especially those who regularly shepherd a congregation of Christ’s flock.
March 19, 2020
I read this book about a page a day. It was sometimes over my head, but often moved me closer to God by feeding my contemplation. "The free and confident access of a soul that stands face to face with God and understands His mercy and is not consumed with self-hatred because of sins which, it knows, have already ben consumed by His mercy -- this is the parrhesia which is ours since the "goodness and kindness of God our Savior appeared..." (Titus 3:4)."
August 19, 2017
I just don't like Meryon's style of writing or his concepts are too difficult for me to digest. I am disappointed because he has been referenced by other authors I like but I need a more simplified version.
December 10, 2017
In my opinion, this is Thomas Merton's greatest work. Admittedly, I have not yet read every single one of his books, but I've read several and this is the best. I also consider it to be one of the greatest books on Catholicism to have ever been written.
April 24, 2023
This was my first read … or attempt to read the great Thomas Merton. I tried but only made it into a third of the way through this book. I wanted to like this, but my head was spinning and it made no sense to me. I feel like a failure for being a critic of Thomas Merton.
April 4, 2025
Extremely dense. Had it not been for section #64 on pride and humility, I may have abandoned this one. But I will transcribe that section and keep it near, as it says all that needs to be said, and can't be stressed enough!
June 2, 2025
Another great Merton book
Never before has our relatio
nship to God and Jesus and Adam been so clearly explained. Again, Thomas Merton challenges us to dig deeper to reach our spititual soul.
Never before has our relatio
nship to God and Jesus and Adam been so clearly explained. Again, Thomas Merton challenges us to dig deeper to reach our spititual soul.
March 18, 2020
240 pages of a vigorously questioning mind diving straight to the heart of Christian mysticism and theology. Recommended reading for the secular mystic and the spiritual skeptic.
October 5, 2020
This book is why I was baptized.
November 12, 2020
Great book for contemplation and self-discovery.
September 23, 2021
I think this may be Merton’s most Catholic book.
May 22, 2025
One of the best books on faith I’ve read. Merton’s understanding of Love is very unique. Perfect for anyone lost in today’s world problems.
December 17, 2023
Deep spiritual contemplations, literally read it a month ago and still think about it daily.
October 1, 2013
Full circle with Seven Storey Moutain read in 1974 and recommended by Père Wilhelm for by Catholic baptism at Saint Germain d'Auxerroi.
I was abit disconcerted that he thought I didn't need and cathechism lessons.
Following came Mérignac and l'équipe d'Oncle Philippe, Père François Lewden and others. Catherine Marcon pointed my way to the chapel Marianiste cours Pasteur with Père Vincent Gizard. Michelle Lafitte brought me to the Benedictine Monastery at URT, Notre Dame de Belloc.
After years of pratice of zen and the trials and tribulations of my life...here in Paris I have found both the cathecism and the Communion I needed at l'église Saint Leu Saint Gilles and at l'école cathédrale- Bernardins.
Full circle and the path of life goes on step by step and day by day.
I was abit disconcerted that he thought I didn't need and cathechism lessons.
Following came Mérignac and l'équipe d'Oncle Philippe, Père François Lewden and others. Catherine Marcon pointed my way to the chapel Marianiste cours Pasteur with Père Vincent Gizard. Michelle Lafitte brought me to the Benedictine Monastery at URT, Notre Dame de Belloc.
After years of pratice of zen and the trials and tribulations of my life...here in Paris I have found both the cathecism and the Communion I needed at l'église Saint Leu Saint Gilles and at l'école cathédrale- Bernardins.
Full circle and the path of life goes on step by step and day by day.
August 21, 2013
Awesome! Obviously some doctrinal difference in terms of the Garden of Eden (see 2 Nephi 2, the Book of Mormon) , but I completely loved his examination of becoming a "New Man" through Christ, embracing and enhancing the divine in all mankind, embracing creation and creativity, and knowing and living a life of ultimate purpose is the only way to become truly happy. Overall great words. Thomas Merton is a great religious thinker that more people need to come to know
December 4, 2008
Merton explores spiritual identity in a fundamental way and as a Christian. There are some sections that I was a little lost since I do not have a Catholic background (e.g., rituals of baptism and mass) but overall Merton challenges core beliefs about God and our relationships with God.
September 27, 2015
The closest you'll get to a systematic treatment of theology/spirituality from Merton. Refreshing and original. Never mundane or trite. While there are things to disagree with, the basic ideas and development are magnificent.
June 12, 2016
I used this book as a daily meditation and found it to be very good. I had to get my head around Merton's exclusive use of the word "man", but it was the time when he was writing. I liked the way he writes about us as images of God.
March 14, 2014
A beautifully and engagingly defined theology.
October 17, 2018
Merton writes that Jesus Christ is the the New Man and exhorts the reader to find the element of the New Man in self.
January 10, 2017
Not my favorite Merton. Can't top New Seeds of Contemplaction.
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May 7, 20184.5/5
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews