Choosing to Love the World: On Contemplation

by Thomas Merton, Jonathan Montaldo (Editor)

Amid the noise and distractions of everyday life, is it really possible to choose to love the world? In these times of great uncertainty and anxiety, how can we find God? Thomas Merton felt the urgency of these questions more than 50 years ago, and his reflections upon them are more relevant than ever. One of America's most beloved mystics of the 20th century, Merton's voice was prophetic in the troubled era of the 1960s. In this new collection of thoughts and meditations selected from his most inspiring books and letters, Merton's radiant wisdom and foresight serve as a beacon of light for all of us searching to find true meaning and solace in today's difficult times. "Father Louis," as he was known at the Abbey of Gethsemani, fully embraced the contemplative life of a monk, yet he never held the world at arm's length: "We and our world interpenetrate. It is only in assuming full responsibility for our world, for our lives and for ourselves, that we can be said to live really for God." Sharply honest in his words but balanced by his poet's heart, Merton explores themes that include the inner ground of love, living in wisdom, and dialoguing with silence. He teaches that contemplation is possible for everyone and that the fundamental context for seeking God's presence is always our everyday lives. "In the deep silence, wisdom begins to sing her unending, sunlit, inexpressible song: the private song she speaks to the solitary soul." In Choosing to Love the World , Thomas Merton inspires us to look deep within ourselves and, in the peaceful silence of contemplation, to find and sing our own song. Edited by Jonathan Montaldo, associate director of The Merton Institute for Contemplative Living, and director of Bethany Spring, the Merton Institute retreat center in Trappist, Kentucky.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Essays, Theology, Christianity

191 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

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

[Emily Magnus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a refresher. Good ole Tommy is king for living a monastic lifestyle but also encouraging Christian’s to not just escape from the “secular world” and live in a bubble. Convicting words on silence and solitude and how we busy ourselves to avoid the self beneath. TEA. Also loved the message on doubt that we should have questions and be weary of those who think they have all the answers

QOTB: “The world and time are the dance of the Lord in emptiness. The silence of the spheres is the muse of a wedding feast. The more we persist in misunderstand. ing the phenomena of life, the more we analyze them our into strange finalities and complex purposes of our own, the more we involve ourselves in sadness, absurdity and despair. But it does not matter much, because no despair of ours can alter the reality of things, or stain the joy of the cosmic dance which is always there. Indeed, we are in the midst of it, and it is in the midst of us, for it beats in our very blood, whether we want it to or not. Yet the fact remains that we are invited to forget ourselves on purpose, cast our awful solemnity to the winds and join in the general dance.”

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

“He is not merely ‘out there’ in a vague beyond. He is not merely hidden in the shadows of what is unknown and pushed further and further away in proportion as we come to know more and more. He is the very ground of what we know and our knowledge itself is His manifestation: not that He is the cause of all that is real, but that reality itself is His epiphany.”

Enlightening, as Merton always is, but choppy, because these are short little sayings drawn from a number of different works.

[Brittany Eckhardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this slowly and enjoyed it, but it was maybe not the best introduction to Merton. The format was a complication of short passages taken from his various other works, which made it feel a bit disjointed.

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was perhaps not the best book to select as my introduction to Thomas Merton since it is a selection of his writings, and writings primarily concerned with the life of a monk/contemplative, but I still really liked it. This was a book that challenged me, and I found myself highlighting page after page. There are still some things I don’t understand, and probably some things I’m not sure I wholeheartedly agree with, but overall I thought Merton’s words remain timeless and compelling, even 50+ years later to a non-monk. I will certainly read more from him in the future.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the best collection of Merton's work. In fact it almost feels like something just pulled together for the sake of selling a bit more Merton. Not bad, but not essential.

[Maureen Neville · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the mid 1990s I read "Thoughts in Solitude" by Thomas Merton and found it absorbing and soulful. Before that time, I knew a little about Merton's background as a journalist, and how, in his late 20s, he joined the Trappist Monks in a monastery in Kentucky. As a monk, he was allowed to continue to write and his writing is very compelling.

This book, "Choosing to Love the World: On Contemplation," was given to me recently and is a compilation of Merton's writing grouped together in thematic chapters. Some of what is presented I grasped and understood, and it was affirming. Other parts made me realize where I am lacking. There are also sections where I realized what is being conveyed I haven't made it to that point yet, and it went somewhat "over my head."

While Merton died in December 1968, his writing is still very relevant. This book reflects well his insights and spiritual evolution that seem now very timely. Merton also discusses the role of the monk and where he sees this vocation is within the world. In this regard some aspects and terminology do reflect the concerns of the 1960s and yet these are not distractions.

I believe this is a good book for people who are possibly seeking to understand their own spiritual journey.

[Remo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Merton‘s Philosophie ist eine geistliche Materielle.
Er schlägt die Brücke von dem Materialismus zu dem Geistlichen und beschreibt dies.
Dabei tauchen wir in Thomas‘s Welt der Poesie ein, wobei er seine geistlichen Gedanken in eine wunderbar Poetischen Sprache auf das Blatt bringt.
Einer meiner Lieblings Zitate aus dem Buch ist folgendes:

„Denn es ist das Lied unseres eigenen Lebens, das wie ein Wasserlauf mitten aus dem Herzen von Gottes kreativer und erlösender Liebe hervorquillt.“

[Brooke Bowlin]

Monks for social justice!!!!

“Man has a responsibility to his own time, not as if he could seem to stand outside it and donate various spiritual and material benefits to it from a position of compassionate distance. Man has a responsibility to find himself where he is, namely in his own proper time and in his place, in the history to which he belongs and to which he must inevitably contribute either his response or his evasions, either truth and act, or mere slogan and gesture.”

[Rob Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just about every page is a spiritual show-stopper. Profound writing and way of life. I bought the book.

[Dennis Tra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystic monk Thomas Merton shows if one desires to be contemplative in learning to truly love the world. A strong message packed in a short book

[adri♪]

profound writing, but as a compilation it was disjointed.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Merton. I will have to read more. I used this as a jumping off point for reflection and prayer in the mornings. It was well suited for that, and it was a helpful reminder that spiritual reading is often a good grounding for the entire day.

[Michael Romeo Talks Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is like a Readers Digest condensed version of Merton.
It is compiled of pieces of Merton's works, some of the excerpts are quite profound, but in the long run I'd rather read them in the context of the original works.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gets deeper upon each reading. I suggest doing it lectio style.

[Shanna Covey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of thoughts on spiritual love from Thomas Merton, a Catholic Monk.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merton is my favorite for those in between spaces when I want to connect to quiet and insight. This book of excerpts is perfect for meeting that opportunity.