A Year with Thomas Merton: Daily Meditations from His Journals - A Spiritual Guide for Reflection, Gratitude, and Self-Care in the Pursuit of a Mindful Christian Life

by Thomas Merton, Jonathan Montaldo (Editor)

A 365 daily with inspirational and provocative selections from the journals of Thomas Merton combined with drawings and photographs by Merton. This volume of daily inspiration from Thomas Merton draws from Merton's journals and papers to present, each day, a seasonally appropriate and thought-provoking insight or observation.
Each month will begin with one of Merton's delightful pen-and-ink drawings or one of his elegant black-and-white photographs.

Genres: Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Biography, Devotional, Faith

400 pages, Hardcover

First published December 28, 2004

About the author

Thomas 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.

Reviews

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and sweet review:

Thomas Merton: well-read; a deep thinker. I loved sharing his thoughts with him. Every day something to read, contemplate and live by.

5 stars

[Lbball27 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and re-read this book over the years. Thomas can always make me think and touch my soul.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading this day book off and on for a couple months now, enjoying each 4-5 paragraph reading. My hope in reading has been to see what made Merton who he was in the ordinary. I've read and been captivated by several of Merton's books now and each book has a handful of sentences that extend beyond a normal person's spiritual experience. As I read, I feel myself pulled into something new, something living.

In _A Year with Thomas Merton_ I have the privelge to see the "normal" Thomas Merton. The days are journal entries, small pictures and captured moments of an ordinary, lived spiritual life.

Of course, where else it is supposed to be lived? ...and that's the point, that's the gift this book offers. It pulls us down from the esoteric spirituality philosopies and into the back yard garden soil. As I read these daily journal entries (compiled into this day book many years later by some other person), there's a permission that's given to re-enter the ordinary and there discover the Presence of Christ.

[Michael John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have spent a lot of time with Merton in this book over the past several years. His journal entries make the reader feel as if they know him very well. Topics go from philosophical inquiries to observations of nature. I feel kinship with Merton and was able to read this despite my loss of confidence in organized religion.

[Brisni (בריטני) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

Okay, so this, again (along with my "year with C.S. Lewis), was one where I have read bits and pieces over time, re-reading much at the beginning over again, but finally finishing despite the date. These journal entries were well curated and are rich and thought-provoking. I feel very kindred to Merton in many ways... as a writer, as a believer, as a photographer, and as an artist. (This collection featured some of his photos and drawings along with his writings.)

Most of all, I would say it encouraged and confirmed my own practice of journaling as a kind of praying and spiritual discipline. That has meant a lot to me. More than I can articulate, really. I look forward to reading more of his work this year.

[Michael Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much great stuff here for daily reading. And how much the US in the 1960s seems like the US in the latter half of the 2010s. See for yourself: “. . . I have undergone my dose of exposure to American society in the ’60s. . . . I love the people I run into, but I pity them for having to live as they do, and I think the world of U.S.A. in 1967 is a world of crass, blind, overstimulated, phony, lying stupidity. . . . The temper of the country is one of blindness, fat, self-satisfied, ruthless, mindless corruption. A lot of people are uneasy about it but helpless to do anything against it. The rest are perfectly content with the rat race as it is, and with its competitive, acquisitive, hurtling, souped-up drive into nowhere. A massively aimless, baseless, shrewd cockiness that simply exalts itself without purpose. The mindless orgasm, in which there is no satisfaction, only spasm.” (May 27, 1967)

[Dana Jerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best parts of this are the pontifical moments deep in nature and with incredible respect for the moment and the sheer presence of existence.

[Randy Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merton is a tough read for me - I love his descriptions of where he is and the going ones around him, his anti war stance and his love of God. Other times I’m baffled. Probably because I read him at night right before I went to sleep. My mind was easily baffled. Still I recommend him - he’s worth our time and we are worthy of his.

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had hoped to use this book as a kind of daily meditation source, but found that it didn't work that way for me. Instead, I read several weeks' worth at a time. I have previously liked later writings by Merton as he became more influenced by the civil rights and social justice movements and as his religious views were expanded through acquaintance with Eastern religions (1960s). However, many of the excerpts from his journals collected in this book are from early writings (1940s and 50s) that were sometimes just too traditionally Catholic for me (yes, I know he was a Trappist monk and this was to be expected). Nonetheless, this collection offers much to appreciate, and I continued to enjoy Merton's descriptions of nature and his invigorating questions about spirituality, humanity, and the place of Christianity in the world.

[Pam Cipkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This devotional contains entries gathered from all of Thomas Merton’s published journals. Reading the passages day by day gives you a taste of Merton’s typical musings. Following along, you see Merton in prayer, in solitude, in joy, and in frustration. Merton is a master of description, and his words are a delight to read. (“There are drops of dew that show like sapphires in the grass as soon as the morning sun appears, and leaves stir behind the hushed flight of an escaping dove.”) If you wish to grow in appreciation for Merton’s writings and way of life, this is the perfect volume to pick up and reflect on each day.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three hundred and sixty-six excerpts from the diaries of Thomas Merton, designed to be daily meditations; I started just after Lent last year and finished today. For me it was less meditative and more like companionship, a familiarity with the most influential Christian contemplative of the 20th century.

The excerpts range from the commonplace, daily life, to the profound. I'll miss our daily meetings. But next it's Frederick Beuchner.

A quote, as an example of the profound (nothing better than some profundity at 7am on a late March morning)...

"A going clear out of the midst of all that is transitory and inconclusive. The return to the Immense, the Primordial, the Unknown, to Him who Loves, to the Silent, to the Holy, to the Merciful, to Him Who is All."

Then into the shower, and porridge for breakfast.

[Jimmy Locklear · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this daily reading book. It is personal and candid and reveals the struggles of a young and old monk who is finding his way as a contemplative. Because the excerpts from Merton's actual journals cover some 25 years, you see different levels of maturity from day to day. Some readings are irrelevant to my journey, but most are spot on. Inspiration is through the roof and if you are needing a them or a truth to ponder, there are plenty to find in Brother Thomas's beautiful heart. Highly recommend!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this throughout 2018 -- it's an absolutely interesting look at the monastic life, and great way to understand Merton. However, the entries jump all over year to year, so there's no consistency. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but can be jarring to jump from one concern to something completely different if you're looking for reconciliation of thoughts. I really enjoyed doing this project through the year.

[Mike Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful reflections on daily life. Merton seems conscious of leaving a record to be read later, or at least using the journal to practice the craft of writings, as he paints pictures of a placid existence at Gethsemane. In a lot of the entries, he rebukes himself, and while the equally thoughtful reader thinks he might be too hard about his own faults, this is the aspect of the book that calls us to emulation: acknowledging our own flaws on a day-to-day basis.

[Rod · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I spent this last year with Thomas Merton's journals...and it confirmed my opinion that people's diaries/journals/letters don't really make for great reading. They are not intended for publication, after all. Nothing against this book, and I appreciate the work of the editor in making these selections...I'd just much rather read some of the brilliant and insightful things that Merton wrote with the purpose of sharing.

[Steven G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way to start the Day

Wonderful way to start my day. Each reading took me five minutes or less. Often I’d spend another few minutes writing down my own reflections. I value Merton’s thoughts and the intimacy of readings from his journals. Sometimes I felt tired even annoyed by Merton’s obsession with sainthood and perfection - a kind of self importance that he was also aware of and struggled with. Sometimes I just felt sorry for him

[Rey De Lupos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptional insights that go to the roots of understanding this ‘action figure’ in this awareness-presence.

I will be utilizing it as a tool for some new bibliomancy work.

Definitely, read this book with no desire to get anything and your understanding may be exponential.

Have fun.

“… Fidelity to grace in my life is fidelity to simplicity, rejecting ambition and analysis and elaborate thought, or even elaborate concern.” — Thomas Merton

[NIGEL PEARCE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Merton's journal helped me to realize the profane in the mundane and everyday life. To take notice of the small things. That just noticing your environment can be a great teacher. As well as his great thinking and opened me up to other writers that influenced him. An inspirational daily read!

[Stanley Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work started out promising but at times Merton seemed to get a little lost in his writing. I believe it was more the editors choosing from Merton’s diary that seemed to lose track. Some very good materials at times and some materials that caused me to scratch my head. I got several book recommendations. Overall a good devotional...SLT

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Bit Disjointed

Some of the entries were good, while others were humdrum. Plus I think it would be better to read about a volume of Merton's journals than read a difficult entry each day.

[Corie Sanford · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my daily reading books this year (accompanied, once again, by daily Rilke, which made for a lovely pairing), and I've got to say, it did not disappoint - a perfect reflective moment to begin each day.

[M.E. Syler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merton’s journal is a true journey through his theological and philosophical mind. Writings from each day from his journals that go to his early life and to his last. Merton writes with clarity and explores the spirituality of humankind.

[Gwendolyn Plano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read almost all of Merton's books. I looked forward to reading the "Daily Meditations" and recommend it; however, it is a collection of edited clips from Merton's writing. I prefer his unedited work because he emerges more distinctly, and it is he who inspires me more.

[Meade · Rating 4 out of 5]

These daily readings were delightful. Merton was an amazing man and monk, and had such wonderful things to say about spirituality (Christian but also inclusive) and nature. I’m glad he was such a prolific writer so there is a lot more remaining to enjoy.

[Jeffery A. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hermit, Writer, Poet, and Man of Faith

Great read. Wonderful daily. Provides insight into life in a monastery and, more so, what the powers in The World will do to quiet a man who has strong faith as well as strong opinions about the ways of America in his days.

[Laura Luzzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every morning with Merton is a good way to start the day.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I knew more about Thomas Merton. Some good meditations.

[Carol Burris]

Not exactly what I was expecting but an interesting insight into his life and work.

[Lisa Kentgen · Rating 4 out of 5]

His style of writing in this one didn't appeal to me as some of his other writings. Still, Merton is a good companion to turn to during Covid for little hits of wisdom.

[Maria Iliffe-Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Reflective. Perfect as a daily reflection read.