It's been ages since I once half-heartedly read The Seven Storey Mountain – skimmed is likely a better term. This made it clear that I ought to give it another go now that I've collected just enough wisdom to know I don't really know much. Thank you for this reminder of his work.
My reciprocal recommendation is The Intellectual Life by the Dominican A. G. Sertillanges - a beautiful reflection on how to think and work purposefully (though his views on the role of the wife in that endeavor are a bit out of fashion a century later!)
John, I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation this evening! I am the ITMS Secretary and wish I had been there. You spoke to my heart and for that I am so grateful. Blessings on your journey and thank you for being an independent voice sharing the truth in these difficult times.
And just like that, I found my copy of “A Year With Thomas Merton”, which has been waiting patiently for me to return to it since the pandemic. Thank you for sharing your own love of Merton with us, your Substack readers.
Thank you John! Thomas' voice is sorely needed in this time of moral peril. We read and discuss a bit of his wisdom each Friday afternoon as a prelude to Centering Prayer.
We need voices such as yours and Terry's to be heard now! At 83 I do believe we are entering a long needed era of spiritual awakening. A long road ahead, but filled with hope; it's doubtful I will live to witness it's fulfillment in my lifetime.
Keep this up and I’ll actually pay to subscribe. Seriously, thank you for this thoughtful reflection on Merton and the whole faith-doubt-hope conundrum. Also your description of loneliness. Stylistically, I appreciate your metaphorical meandering; as with some of your Navel Gazing essays, it always leads to a conclusion all the more satisfying because I didn’t fully see it coming. And finally, that photo of John Lewis, standing so straight and still in his tan coat as men with clubs advance, has always struck me as the true picture of courage. I must mention that it was taken by a friend, the late Spider Martin.
I found that the Buddhist Monks' walk for peace came even more well-timed than we thought considering current events. Their morning and evening meditations remind us to quiet our minds, practice mindfulness, and look within for peace. On rare occasions something good comes out of social media.
Thank you for reminding me of beauty in these times, where I struggle alone.
I am so glad you are saying so.
It's been ages since I once half-heartedly read The Seven Storey Mountain – skimmed is likely a better term. This made it clear that I ought to give it another go now that I've collected just enough wisdom to know I don't really know much. Thank you for this reminder of his work.
My reciprocal recommendation is The Intellectual Life by the Dominican A. G. Sertillanges - a beautiful reflection on how to think and work purposefully (though his views on the role of the wife in that endeavor are a bit out of fashion a century later!)
John, I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation this evening! I am the ITMS Secretary and wish I had been there. You spoke to my heart and for that I am so grateful. Blessings on your journey and thank you for being an independent voice sharing the truth in these difficult times.
And just like that, I found my copy of “A Year With Thomas Merton”, which has been waiting patiently for me to return to it since the pandemic. Thank you for sharing your own love of Merton with us, your Substack readers.
Thank you John! Thomas' voice is sorely needed in this time of moral peril. We read and discuss a bit of his wisdom each Friday afternoon as a prelude to Centering Prayer.
We need voices such as yours and Terry's to be heard now! At 83 I do believe we are entering a long needed era of spiritual awakening. A long road ahead, but filled with hope; it's doubtful I will live to witness it's fulfillment in my lifetime.
Keep this up and I’ll actually pay to subscribe. Seriously, thank you for this thoughtful reflection on Merton and the whole faith-doubt-hope conundrum. Also your description of loneliness. Stylistically, I appreciate your metaphorical meandering; as with some of your Navel Gazing essays, it always leads to a conclusion all the more satisfying because I didn’t fully see it coming. And finally, that photo of John Lewis, standing so straight and still in his tan coat as men with clubs advance, has always struck me as the true picture of courage. I must mention that it was taken by a friend, the late Spider Martin.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I think I will be reading, and listening to, some Merton.
I found that the Buddhist Monks' walk for peace came even more well-timed than we thought considering current events. Their morning and evening meditations remind us to quiet our minds, practice mindfulness, and look within for peace. On rare occasions something good comes out of social media.
Navel-gazing at its finest.