Thomas Merton
What is the function of the contemplative in the modern world? This question lies at the root of Thomas Merton's extended contemplation of Franz Kafka's dystopian novel, The Castle. A hugely influential writer from the 20th century, Kafka (1883-1924) was a German-speaking Jew born in Prague. His fiction—especially his 1915 novella The Metamorphosis, in which the protagonist finds himself transformed into an insect—is so
...Join Thomas Merton in this remarkable course on the Second Vatican Council. On October 11, 1962, the Second Vatican Council opened, and it had a tremendous influence on the Church. Fifty years later the decrees and documents of the council continue to be a lively subject of discussion. Now you can discover the council and its documents with beloved mystic and author Thomas Merton. In 1963 and 1965, Merton delivered erudite lectures on the impact
...New York Times bestselling author and monk, Thomas Merton, exploring the literature and spirituality of 20th century's greatest novelist: James Joyce. Born in 1882 to a Catholic family in Dublin, James Joyce wrote some of the most acclaimed masterpieces of modern literature: Ulysses, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Dubliners, and Finnegans Wake. Educated by Jesuits and deeply influenced by Thomas
...What can your spiritual ancestors teach you about holy living today? Although they led ascetic lives centuries ago, St. Benedict, the Desert Fathers and Mothers, and other early Christian saints have much to teach everyone in the twenty-first century. Through their enduring writings, they created blueprints of the spiritual life that remain as powerful in our time as ever. Now, with the modern mystic and monk Thomas Merton as your teacher, you
...Enjoy one of the greatest recorded works by Thomas Merton, the twentieth century's greatest spiritual writer. In the summer of 1967, religious communities around the world were experiencing a time of renewal and reflection. As monasteries sought to adopt practices prescribed by the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI asked two Cistercian monks to compose a message about the contemplative life. Those monks in turn sought the contributions of a
...Join Thomas Merton in spellbinding lectures on two essential philosophical topics. In this audio program, you will learn about the meaning of life and the essence of beauty with Thomas Merton, one of the twentieth century's great thinkers. Delivered with unrivaled brilliance and insight, these remastered recordings of Merton himself will transport you into the abbey where he taught and imparted his spiritual wisdom. In the first part, you will
...As Christians, we are all called to be pilgrims, navigating the Way to God. For many, this pilgrimage is figurative, a spiritual journey that deepens our awareness. Some, however, choose to undertake physical journeys to the lands most sacred to our tradition. Now, you can join Thomas Merton in learning about one such fascinating journey and the spiritual significance pilgrimage has for all of us. In these three talks, originally delivered at the
...Explore the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas with Thomas Merton as your guide. While he was a student at Columbia University, Thomas Merton stumbled upon The Spirit of Medieval Philosophy by renowned neo-Thomistic philosopher Étienne Gilson. An essential work on St. Thomas and other Christian philosophers, it led him down a path of spiritual seeking that would culminate with his conversion to the Catholic Church and entrance into a Trappist
...Recorded in May of 1966 at at the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, The Christian in the World contemplates the value of life on the premise that Christ died for a world he thought was worth dying for. Now You Know Media—through our exclusive partnership with the Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center—is proud to offer a wide selection of archival recordings of Thomas Merton: a Trappist monk, great twentieth-century
...Join Thomas Merton in exploring one of the most influential figures in the history of spirituality. Delivered in 1962 to the novices at Merton's monastery, these talks allow you to hear his voice and experience his powerful teaching.
Born in the fourth century, Saint John Cassian (A.D. 360 – 435) lived when tensions between the traditional and innovative peaked. A monk and theologian, Cassian made the Christian tradition relevant
...Travel into the desert with Thomas Merton as your guide. In the third century, men and women journeyed into the deserts of Syria and Egypt. Turning away from the world, they sought to find salvation in solitude. By doing so, they developed new forms of monasticism and spirituality. Now known as the Desert Fathers and Mothers, their wisdom remains as inspirational today as ever. In this set of lectures released to the public for the first time ever,
...Originally recorded in July of 1968 at the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, Eastern Gurus: Holiness, Discipleship, and the Mystical Heart puts forth a prayerful meditation of gurus and Jesus. Now You Know Media—through our exclusive partnership with the Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center—is proud to offer a wide selection of archival recordings of Thomas Merton: a Trappist monk, great twentieth-century mystic, and
...Learn about Irish Catholicism, early Christianity, and Eastern religions with Thomas Merton as your teacher. Recorded in March of 1968 at the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, Celtic Spirituality: The Beginnings of Irish Monasticism investigates the history of Irish monasticism with special attention to St. Patrick. A monk, mystic, and scholar, Thomas Merton weaves together various threads to probe the depths of faith through an ecumenical
...Recorded in 1964 at his monastery, Thomas Merton gave these lectures to novice Cistercians. Today, you are invited into Merton's classroom for an intimate discussion about one of Christianty's most influential figures.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, O. Cist. (1090–1153) is one of the most important figures in the history of Christianity: a founder, reformer, and Doctor of the Church. Now, you can take Thomas Merton, renowned mystic
...What can the first Christian monks teach you about holy living today? In a set of conferences he recorded in 1963, Thomas Merton turns a thoughtful eye to this question. Thomas Merton gave these conferences to the novice monks he taught. As you listen to Merton, you will join his students in the classroom. Although they led ascetic lives centuries ago, St. Benedict, the Desert Fathers and Mothers, and other early Christian saints have much to teach
...Hear Thomas Merton's spiritually edifying voice. Originally recorded in August of 1965 at the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, Greek Tragedy: Suffering Leads to Wisdom considers the parallels between ancient Greek models of suffering (with Sophocles's play Antigone as an exponent) and Judeo-Christian ideas about suffering and the creation of meaning. This was among the last classes that Merton ever gave to the novice monks at Gethsemani.
...Join Thomas Merton in exploring life's great questions.In this audio program, Merton will challenge you with questions about man's individual destiny, the human condition, prayer, and the nature of time. Originally delivered in 1965, these timeless lectures have been remastered and released as a set for your enjoyment. Delivered with wit and profound insight, these recordings will transport you into the abbey where Merton taught and imparted his
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