Thomas Merton on Prayer

by Thomas Merton

Thomas Merton was one of the great spiritual a Trappist monk, profound mystic, and brilliant writer. He inspired men and women from all walks of life with his dedication to prayer and contemplation. In 1967, near the end of his life, Merton gave a powerful set of lectures on prayer to the Sisters of Loretto. He channeled a lifetime full of wisdom, piety, and prayerfulness into these erudite yet down-to-earth talks. Now, you have the rare opportunity to hear Merton’s moving lectures. Under the guidance of one of the great modern spiritual masters, this experience will deepen your own life of prayer. This series has been remastered and made available for you to enjoy. In these heartfelt talks, Merton reaches out across the decades to inspire your spirit. He will lead you on a powerful journey, giving you new insights into praying contemplatively. You will explore such topics as religious poverty, philosophy, and monasticism. As you do so, you will discover what it means to truly live as a Christian today. Recorded half a century ago, these talks remain as powerful today as ever. Merton will transform your life with his timeless insights into contemplation, the search for meaning, and more. Join him on this life-changing experience. This set was previously published under the title Prayer and Growth in Christian Life. It contains essentially the same content as well as an afterword by Fr. Anthony Ciorra.

Genres: Religion, Prayer

Hardcover

Published December 31, 1989

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

[Tim and Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished on a walk with the dog today. Listening to his voice and thoughts are a comfort in this time of COVID-19 and worry. It’s amazing to hear him with a live class of nuns or novitiates, from his hermitage with a wren sitting on the ledge, or just the occasional airplane or birdsong in the background. Highly recommend.

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, listeners would benefit from listening to the final chapter first. That chapter is an overview and analysis of this work by another than Merton.

After reading many of Merton's works, I much appreciated hearing him teach. This series is from his second hermitage, in the 1960s, to Sisters at a convent. The audio is purportedly on prayer, but that is a fraction of the content. Merton addresses topics, including the institutionalization of the church, solitude, penance, the Vietnam War, the difference between ecstasy as understood in the contemplative-and-Christian life and those who seek other means to transcend self,... The latter part of the audio is more specifically on mystical, or contemplative, prayer.

One interesting insight of this work is Merton's tensions. One tension is between solitude and community. This same tension is displayed in the life of St. Francis. Also, Merton struggled with the charismatic life (i.e., freedom in the Spirit) - which he saw to be the way of St. Francis - and the life of the Church, regulated, institutional.

While to Sisters, the content applies to all Christians and, more generally, anyone who takes seriously the inner Life and spiritual wisdom, even though the content appears, at times, dated as to the historical challenges Merton addresses - we know the challenges keep appearing, just in different garb.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were things I liked about this audiobook—it was a chance to hear Thomas Merton in his own words. Some of the thoughts were useful. That said, although the declared topic was prayer, the fact that it was recorded in the 1960’s with a particular group of religious as its target meant that what was I’m sure a useful relevancy to the audience and time made it seem dated and too vocationally focused to me as a 21st century lay listener. Lots of great Merton options. I’d recommend choosing one of the over this.

[Jared Kassebaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are a collection of his audio recordings of his conferences (monastic version of a sermon) on prayer. His thoughts come off as more casual yet also eccentric in this format. Finding more thoughts on the balance of action vs contemplation has been so helpful. Listening to more audiobooks of this format soon.

[Lori J]

Start at chapter 7

[Bert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful food for thought

[K Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very little about prayer, barely mentioned. Interesting answers to questions sent him by nuns.
Very enjoyable birdsong at times in the background.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Merton because I don't really get him.