Abstract
The Wisdom of Thomas Merton
After a fairly confused upbringing, Merton entered the Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Gesthemani at the age of 26, and his early years followed a traditional pattern, but his mind and experience exploded in many new ways. Merton died in an accident in Bangkok in 1968, but his influence has carried on in many ways. He was a prolific writer and this excellent book introduces the reader to the life and work of Merton. It also examines his ongoing influence and ends up giving us glimpses of new forms of monasticism, which owe much to Merton’s insights. The essence of his life was simplicity, solitude and silence that led him to see the monastic vocation: ‘As consisting in being himself or rather trying to return to the simplicity, immortality and freedom which constitutes his real self in the image of God’.
It was this emphasis on simplicity that led to his appreciation of Zen Buddhism and Sufi Islam. It let him to become a pacifist, to support the ecological movement and have a distinctive view of modern technology. He carried on a vast correspondence with all sorts of people and, for a Cistercian, travelled a lot, giving retreats and lectures.
The revival of the Religious Life in the Nineteenth Century was greatly influenced by Victorian Romanticism and seems now to have run its course. Many wonder whether it can be revived. But this is not true in other parts of the world, and Dekar gives some examples of new communities and new Rules of Life, which relate more effectively to today’s world. Many will be familiar with Taize and Iona, but this book gives us insights into many more. There always was an element in the religious life of being Communities of Protest and those seeking a simpler life, peace and deep humanity are building such communities.
The author himself, having been Professor of Evangelism and Mission at Memphis and a frequent visitor to Gesthemani, has now joined a new community in Australia. Anyone considering new communities of protest will find ample material for reflection in this book.
The book helpfully contains a total bibliography of Merton’s writings (many published since his death) and would make a valuable introduction or a refresher course to his thinking. Occasionally, the text seems to reflect sermon illustrations, but this does not intrude on the purpose of the book. Merton’s influence continues, and this book is an encouragement to us all to re-assess our priorities and patterns of Christian Living.