Merton & Hesychasm: The Prayer of the Heart & the Eastern Church (1)

by Jonathan Montaldo (Editor), Bernadette Dieker (Editor), Gray Henry (Editor)

This profound work introduces the West to Eastern Christian spirituality through the lens of Thomas Merton, as practiced from the time of the Desert Fathers. Contributors to this volume present the riches of Christian contemplative methods and experience dating back to their original Christian source.

Genres: Prayer, Christian

507 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Harry Allagree · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Thomas Merton groupies like me, nearly any book with his name on it catches my attention. This book, in the Fons Vitae series, is a rich, wonderful, detailed treatment of the prayer of the heart, natural contemplation, or hesychasm: a true gift of Eastern Christianity, particularly of the early Desert Fathers. Parts I & II are essays by various scholars, in particular Merton scholars. Part III is, for the most part, selections by Merton himself on hesychasm. The Appendix article, by Rama Coomareswamy, on the role of Our Lady in the Hesychaste Prayer was the least satisfying in my opinion; the book wouldn't have suffered any, I think, had the article been omitted.

Aside from the fact that the subject matter throughout the book is one very dear to my heart personally, it's a vivid reminder of how far ahead of his time, in a general way, Merton was regarding society & the Church. It's my conviction that the solution to many contemporary social & ecclesiastical problems are contained in this book, but, given the current state of affairs in both arenas, I'm not very optimistic that the lessons will be learned. Those who may be of a similar conviction will still benefit from the insights this book gives to each of us personally as to how to live in Resurrection hope nevertheless.