Be Specific About Books Concering New Seeds of Contemplation
| Original Title: | New Seeds of Contemplation |
| ISBN: | 081120099X (ISBN13: 9780811200998) |
| Edition Language: | English |
Thomas Merton
paperback | Pages: 297 pages Rating: 4.31 | 6597 Users | 307 Reviews
Narrative To Books New Seeds of Contemplation
For a few years, I fostered a very robust fascination with Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk who was a prolific writer. I can’t remember how I found Merton, maybe some long ago professor of mine or a reference in someone else’s book, but since I started reading him almost a decade ago, he has, more than any other writer, influenced my way of seeing the world. He was a pacifist and a political activist, at least in the sense that he spoke out boldly against things he found immoral or unethical - like the atomic bomb. He also believed wholeheartedly in the need for a writer to have space to think and be alone - what he called “silence and solitude.”
In New Seeds of Contemplation, Merton introduces his readers to the idea of contemplation as a way of life. He urges us all to dip deeper into our thoughts and to slow down from our action, to turn away from that which distracts us and to open up to that which reminds us of true reality, true creation, and true life.
If you have ever wanted a model for how to write about thought, this book is for you. Even more so, if you have ever wanted to think about how to slow down, catch your breath, and by do doing, live your life more fully, this book will capture your spirit and heart.
Specify Based On Books New Seeds of Contemplation
| Title | : | New Seeds of Contemplation |
| Author | : | Thomas Merton |
| Book Format | : | paperback |
| Book Edition | : | First Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 297 pages |
| Published | : | January 1st 1972 by New Directions (first published 1962) |
| Categories | : | Spirituality. Nonfiction. Religion. Theology. Christianity. Christian |
Rating Based On Books New Seeds of Contemplation
Ratings: 4.31 From 6597 Users | 307 ReviewsWrite Up Based On Books New Seeds of Contemplation
This is quintessential Merton - illuminating and vexing. He was omniscient without realizing it. In what he wrote about the militarization of the U.S. in 1961, one could replace Russian with Korea and not tell the difference. His writing on peace, criticism of our government, and the failures of men to contain their desires never ring more true than today. He bemoans the influence of automation and technology on declining values in the country and again ditto for 2018.Over the last few years, I have found it beneficial to include reading a bit from different spiritual masters each day. I've been reading a chapter of this book each morning, and it is absolutely fantastic. The first 2/3 of the book was a wealth of thought provoking spiritual depth. This book could easily be included in my top ten books of all time. The last 1/3 started to get away from me. I'm not sure how to explain it. Merton is writing on a different level of spiritual connection with the
New Seeds is more abstract than the authors other books (i.e., Seven Storey Mountain, Sign of Jonah). It is very observant of the human condition and the various states of ennui and incompleteness that we face. Its poetic prose almost speaks directly to the soul in addressing the reasons for one's lack of fulfillment or satisfaction over time. And it is interspersed with topics for deep reflection and practical tips for dealing with obstacles in one's prayer life.
Well, I think this might have been the best (at least the most meaningful) book I've ever read, so I am not exactly sure what to say here. I will provide the caveat to that high assessment that I would not have loved or even liked this book at other points in my life for varied reasons, so keep that in mind should you choose to pick it up. Nevertheless, this becomes an immediate classic for me that I will return to many times in the future. "Ultimately the only way that I can be myself is to
Glad I read this book, and would pass it along to anyone wondering about prayers and meditation. There were a couple of chapters and some parts of the book I glossed over because I am reluctant to believe it is possible to arrive at perfection as a contemplative. And this book would be a challenge to someone who gets stuck on the male gender assigned to God, but I personally did not find that inhibiting. I consider Merton to be a sage of our time, encouraging us to find God and the will of God
Merton wrote this book in 1939 at age 24, the year he was planning to become a Franciscan monk. There is a lot of wandering in the desert: this is not this and that is not this and that is not that. I wanted to count all the "not"s in the book. The book and the search is frankly above/beyond me, but it answered some questions. I found it interesting since the book went through many printings, and created a whole movement of men and women flocking to monasteries in the mid-twentieth century. I
Ok,so, let me say to begin that I think Thomas Merton is a brilliant mind. If there were a dozen more Mertons in the world, I'm convinced there would be peace on earth.That being said, Brother Tom plunges into a book in which he attempts to lay the groundwork, or to set the vibe for one's odyssey into contemplation. Tricky thing is that you cannot really describe contemplation. Merton says so himself. The best we can do is to label it "the darkness" and say, well, it's not that, and it's not and
0 Comments