A collection of previously published essays. The first six essays originally appeared in the journal Commonweal; the second group of six originally appeared in other periodicals. Includes bibliographical references (pages 167-168).
Contents:
States of life / Merton journal entries: January 22, 24, 26, 1949. The Trappists go to Utah (August 29, 1947) -- Active and contemplative orders (December 5, 1947) -- A Christmas devotion (December 26, 1947) -- Is mysticism normal? (November 4, 1949) -- Self-denial and the Christian (March 31, 1950) -- Death of a Trappist (Integrity: November 1947) -- A Trappist speaks on people, priests and prayer (The messenger of the Sacred Heart: April 1948) -- Contemplation in a rocking chair (Integrity: August 1948) -- The contemplative life : its meaning and necessity (The Dublin review: Winter 1949) -- The primacy of contemplation (Cross and crown: March 1950) -- Christ suffers again (Action now!: March 1952) -- Appendix 1: Textual notes -- Appendix 2: States of life / by John Fearon, O.P. -- Merton journal entries: January 22, 24, 26, 1949.
Summary:
"This volume gathers together twelve essays that Thomas Merton wrote for various journals between 1947 and 1952, the years that saw the publication of his best-selling autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain, his ordination to the priesthood, and his initial appointment as spiritual and intellectual guide of the young monks at the Abbey of Gethsemani. The essays, most of which have never been reprinted, focus above all on aspects of the contemplative life but also consider the spiritual dimensions of literature and the social implications of Christian life. Issued to coincide with the one hundredth anniversary of his birth, this collection brings to fruition at long last Merton's own original plan of publishing these essays as a group and so makes available a previously little recognized and underutilized resource for understanding and appreciating a crucial transitional phase in his life as both monk and writer. "-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.