
Thomas Merton on the Christian Life
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Narrated by:
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Thomas Merton
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By:
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Thomas Merton
About this listen
This set of captivating talks brings you face-to-face with an intimate side of Thomas Merton - the monk, poet, scholar of literature, and social activist who rocked the 20th century. As with so many of the talks that Merton gave to his novice monks at the Abbey of Gethsemani, these talks put the progression of his thinking - from cloistered monastic life to issues of social justice and interreligious understanding - on view.
Throughout Thomas Merton on the Christian Life, Merton stresses the spiritual necessity of transcending cultural differences. Other topics of interest include: the concept of spiritual poverty; cultural ideas of poverty; otherworldliness; and the contemplative life (as distinct from the religious life).
Join Merton’s original audience 50 years into the future and be moved by his vision of active faith. This set includes an afterword by Anthony Ciorra.
This course is part of the Learn25 collection.
©2018 Now You Know Media Inc. (P)2018 Now You Know Media Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
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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 spiritual wisdom.
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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.
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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 fellow monk and master of contemplation - Thomas Merton.
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An absolutely wonderful insight into the mind of Thomas Merton
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Thomas Merton on Prayer
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Renew your prayer life with Thomas Merton. Thomas Merton was one of the great spiritual masters: a Trappist monk, profound mystic, and brilliant writer. He inspired men and women from all walks of life with his dedication to prayer and contemplation. In 1967, near the end of his life, Merton gave a powerful set of lectures on prayer to the Sisters of Loretto. He channeled a lifetime full of wisdom, piety, and prayerfulness into these erudite yet down-to-earth talks.
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Extraordinarily Relevant
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Thomas Merton on Marxism: The Spiritual and Secular Worlds
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Christian theology may not believe in Marxism, and Marxism may think that God is dead, but the two ideologies still have much to say to one another. Thomas Merton, one of the world’s greatest modern Christian intellectuals, was fascinated by the dialogue between Marxists and Christians. Now, by listening to these nine masterful talks, which Merton delivered to the novices at the Abbey of Gethsemani in 1965 and 1966, you can join in these conversations.
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super personal opinion
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Thomas Merton on Vatican II: Sacred Liturgy and the Religious Life
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Merton first looks at the "Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy," which is, as Merton calls it, a work of supreme faith and the most important document on the liturgy in 1,600 years. He then explored the Vatican II's schemata on the religious life, which eventually culminated in the "Decree on the Adaptation and Renewal of Religious Life." Merton's lectures took place before this document was issued, so you will get a fascinating look at the inner workings of the church.
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Seems to be miss labeled - didn’t hear Thomas Merton
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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 spiritual wisdom.
-
-
It's about time and what we choose to do with it.
- By Jackie St. Hilaire on 02-25-18
By: Thomas Merton
-
The Christian in the World
- By: Thomas Merton
- Narrated by: Thomas Merton
- Length: 34 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
By: Thomas Merton
-
A Message of Contemplatives to the World
- By: Thomas Merton
- Narrated by: Thomas Merton
- Length: 45 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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 fellow monk and master of contemplation - Thomas Merton.
-
-
An absolutely wonderful insight into the mind of Thomas Merton
- By Bradley Miles on 05-11-24
By: Thomas Merton
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Thomas Merton on Prayer
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- Length: 6 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
-
Story
Renew your prayer life with Thomas Merton. Thomas Merton was one of the great spiritual masters: a Trappist monk, profound mystic, and brilliant writer. He inspired men and women from all walks of life with his dedication to prayer and contemplation. In 1967, near the end of his life, Merton gave a powerful set of lectures on prayer to the Sisters of Loretto. He channeled a lifetime full of wisdom, piety, and prayerfulness into these erudite yet down-to-earth talks.
-
-
Extraordinarily Relevant
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By: Thomas Merton
-
Thomas Merton on Marxism: The Spiritual and Secular Worlds
- By: Thomas Merton
- Narrated by: Thomas Merton
- Length: 5 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Christian theology may not believe in Marxism, and Marxism may think that God is dead, but the two ideologies still have much to say to one another. Thomas Merton, one of the world’s greatest modern Christian intellectuals, was fascinated by the dialogue between Marxists and Christians. Now, by listening to these nine masterful talks, which Merton delivered to the novices at the Abbey of Gethsemani in 1965 and 1966, you can join in these conversations.
-
-
super personal opinion
- By Brian Jones on 06-14-21
By: Thomas Merton
-
Thomas Merton on Vatican II: Sacred Liturgy and the Religious Life
- By: Thomas Merton
- Narrated by: Thomas Merton
- Length: 3 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Merton first looks at the "Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy," which is, as Merton calls it, a work of supreme faith and the most important document on the liturgy in 1,600 years. He then explored the Vatican II's schemata on the religious life, which eventually culminated in the "Decree on the Adaptation and Renewal of Religious Life." Merton's lectures took place before this document was issued, so you will get a fascinating look at the inner workings of the church.
-
-
Seems to be miss labeled - didn’t hear Thomas Merton
- By Thomas on 09-28-17
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Order of listening
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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.
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focus on Syrian history
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Thomas Merton on Franz Kafka
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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. Now, you have the rare opportunity to hear Merton - the English professor-turned-monk and a literary genius in his own right - discuss The Castle as a metaphor for the monastic life. Originally recorded in 1967 and newly remastered to enhance your listening experience, this audio set collects four talks on Kafka that Merton delivered during the month of June.
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Thomas Merton on Contemplation
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Performance
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Story
You are invited to sit at the feet of a contemplative master. In the words of renowned theologian Fr. Lawrence Cunningham, Thomas Merton was perhaps "the greatest spiritual writer and spiritual master of the 20th century". With a poet's sensibility, an intellectual's inquiring mind, and a prophet's courage, Merton has captured the hearts of readers and listeners around the world.
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Fantastic!
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Eastern Gurus: Holiness, Discipleship, and the Mystical Heart
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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 20th-century mystic, and beloved author of the 1948 autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain.
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Thomas Merton on the Great Monks
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Recorded by a monk and mystic who changed the world, these newly remastered lectures showcase Thomas Merton's brilliant teaching. Originally delivered at the Abbey of Gethsemani to his fellow monks, Thomas Merton's talks invite you on a journey through monastic and contemplative history. Under his guidance, you will encounter the great figures of the Christian monastic tradition: St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Benedict, John Cassian, Basil, and Charlemagne.
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Thomas Merton on St. Bernard of Clairvaux: Mellifluous Doctor
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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 Christianity’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.
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Not for me
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Thomas Merton on Solitude and Togetherness
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For Merton, being contemplative meant living out the essential elements of the spiritual life. Having lived out the challenges and triumphs of a contemplative life, Merton had a plethora of practical advice to offer. If the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is truly at work daily, then what does it look like? How can we identify its authentic presence? If it's important to spend time in silence with God, how do we go about entering into it fruitfully?
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A must read
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Thomas Merton on Augustine, Jerome, and Ambrose: Philosophy of the Great Latin Fathers
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Three men laid the groundwork for Christianity’s philosophy, theology, and learning. Seventeen centuries later, Thomas Merton, a spiritual visionary, taught gripping classes on these Church Fathers.
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Brief recorded lectures on Patristic writings
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Thomas Merton on Chinese & Greek Philosophy
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Overall
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A leading Christian intellectual and a global citizen, Thomas Merton was known for his mission to understand and learn from other cultures’ worldviews and philosophies. Now, as you listen to these nine captivating talks on Chinese and Greek philosophy, your own interest in these ancient schools of thought, Eastern and Western, will be ignited.
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Thomas Merton on the Mystical Life and Martin Buber
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- Length: 37 mins
- Original Recording
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Study a premier Jewish writer of the 20th century with one of the century’s most important Catholic authors. This digitally remastered recording is part of Thomas Merton’s spoken word legacy, and it presents his voice at its most spiritually edifying. Originally recorded in February of 1968 at the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, Thomas Merton on The Mystical Life and Martin Buber unpacks Buber's resonant Hasidic tales one at a time in a discussion-heavy class setting.
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Very Special, but Incomplete
- By SandyK on 05-09-24
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What listeners say about Thomas Merton on the Christian Life
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
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- Michael Bloom
- 10-07-20
Timeless spiritual wisdom
Hearing Thomas Merton's voice is a surprising and spiritually edifying joy. I've enjoyed many of his recordings through the Learn25 series and am impressed by how relevant and accessible Merton's teaching is. At times the audio in this recording is a bit rough - the original recordings were made decades ago - but I didn't find this too limiting. In these recordings, Merton is both teaching and interacting with his novice students. You get a sense for how he thinks about living out the Christian life. If you have been touched by Merton's writings, I highly recommend his teaching.
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