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Paul Baker

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St. Teresa of Avila The Way of Perfection by Teresa de Ávila

New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton

The Liturgy of The Hours - Leather by Catholic Church

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Paul is Currently Reading

Paul Baker is currently reading

Joan of Arc: A History

by Helen Castor

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6 hours, 16 min ago

Paul Baker is currently reading

St. Teresa of Avila The Way of Perfection: Study Edition

by Teresa de Ávila

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Reading for the 2nd time

read in July 2024

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Jul 12, 2026 09:56AM

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New Seeds of Contemplation

by Thomas Merton

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Reading for the 3rd time

read in September 2024

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Paul Baker said: " 2025-03-29

Review 2025.03.002

Reviewers Note: It is the beginning of 2025 and one of the skills I desire to grow in is that of writing book reviews (having never done this before). I am doing this so I can better hone my writing (and reading) skills as 2025-03-29

Review 2025.03.002

Reviewers Note: It is the beginning of 2025 and one of the skills I desire to grow in is that of writing book reviews (having never done this before). I am doing this so I can better hone my writing (and reading) skills as I seek to think more critically about the books I am reading. I am sharing on Goodreads for my own personal development. I know this will be something I am always growing in so if you actually read these, please be patient with me as I develop this skill. I will also receive constructive criticism if you desire to help me become a better writer (and reader). I plan to use this disclaimer for the entire 2025 year.

New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton
297 Pages

This was one of my favorite books of 2024. As this was my second time through, I did a micro-reading. I found myself caught in some of the same thought patterns from some of the highlights during the first reading. But I also found myself unable to grasp why I had highlighted other passages. I know we all grow but the readings were not that far apart so it surprised me a little that I could not remember why I highlighted them. Of course, I also highlighted new passages that I thought I should have highlighted the first time. I guess that means that the micro-reading was a great success.

I realize that contemplation is not something that I can learn. It is a gift from God. If only it was something that could be taught, then I would read this book dozens of times in a sad attempt to learn it. From the very beginning of the book, we learn that we must in a sense die to enter the realm of contemplation.

"To enter into the realm of contemplation one must in a certain sense die: but this death is in fact the entrance into a higher life. It is a death for the sake of life, which leaves behind all that we can know or treasure as life, as thought, as experience, as joy, as being."

This idea is right there at the tip of my fingers. I am grasping at a thought I want to embody. But if it is true that “We become contemplatives when God discovers Himself in us.” then I must wait for God to bring me to this death and the entrance to the higher life. So I wait.

"The man who is not afraid to abandon all his spiritual progress into the hands of God, to put prayer, virtue, merit, grace, and all gifts in the keeping of Him from Whom they all must come, will quickly be led to peace in union with Him. His peace will be all the sweeter because it will be free of every care."

Honestly if you are interested in Christian mysticism and contemplation, this book is a must read. And I believe it needs to be read several times so that the wisdom begins to take root. Twice is not enough. ...more "

Jul 04, 2026 04:12PM · see review

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Paul’s Notes & Highlights

Book cover for Called to Carmel, Called to Community: Reflections on the Carmelite Rule, Secular Constitutions, and Statutes

Called to Carmel, Called to Community: Reflections on the Carmelite Rule, Secular Constitutions, and Statutes by Tim Bete

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“Prayer and comfortable living are incompatible” (Way, 4, 2). And in the words of St. John of the Cross, “Anyone who does things lukewarmly is close to falling” (Sayings, 168). The Rule and Constitutions are spiritual reading—and very ...more

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Paul’s Quotes

“Need-love cries to God from our poverty; Gift-love longs to serve, or even to suffer for, God; Appreciative love says: “We give thanks to thee for thy great glory.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

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“Alexander Maclaren writes: "This man, before he was four-and-twenty hours a disciple, had made another. Some of you have been disciples for as many years, and have never even tried to make one."3”
― Richard D. Phillips, Jesus the Evangelist: Learning to Share the Gospel from the Book of John

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“Likewise, if we care for others' salvation, we will expend ourselves in ministry to them-in prayer, in service, and in witness. If we are not willing to be wearied-if we do not find ourselves sometimes needing a rest from our labors-then we are not likely to accomplish much in Christian ministry.”
― Richard D. Phillips, Jesus the Evangelist: Learning to Share the Gospel from the Book of John

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“The gospel of Jesus Christ is worth living for, yes, and it is worth dying for, of course, but we show it is supremely valuable to us when we deny ourselves and take up our crosses to be a blessing to the people who the gospel is calling us to.”
― Matt Chandler, To Live Is Christ to Die Is Gain

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“Never be satisfied with where you are in the area of spiritual growth. Cultivate an insatiability for more of God by examining your weaknesses, beholding the perfection of Christ, and finding good examples of strengths you want to develop.”
― Matt Chandler, To Live Is Christ to Die Is Gain

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