Thomas Merton is widely acclaimed as one of the most influential American spiritual writers of the past century. Thousands of readers have drawn strength from his words and the witness of his life. His autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain appears on lists of the 100 most important books of the century.
Merton is distinguished among contemporary spiritual writers by the depth and substance of his thinking. He was able to distill the best writings of theologians, philosophers, and poets over the centuries, from both the West and the East, and presented their ideas in the context of the Christian worldview.
Thomas Merton: In My Own Words provides a portal into the monastic vocation of Thomas Merton and gives us a snapshot of his entire life. His words encourage readers to embrace their own vocation as baptized Christians, as members of the human family, and as people in relationship.
Thomas Merton wrote more than 70 books, mostly on spirituality, as well as scores of essays and reviews. Merton was a keen proponent of interfaith understanding.
Interest in his work contributed to a rise in spiritual exploration beginning in the 1960s and 1970s in the US. Merton's letters and diaries, reveal the intensity with which their author focused on social justice issues, including the civil rights movement and proliferation of nuclear arms. He had prohibited their publication for 25 years after his death. Publication raised new interest in Merton's life.
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