The Journals of Thomas Merton, Vol. 2, 1941-1952: Entering the Silence - Becoming a Monk & Writer - Hardcover

Thomas Merton

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060654767 ISBN 13: 9780060654764

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1996

Synopsis

During his arduous days and nights in the silence of the monastery, the young Thomas Merton simultaneously advanced to priesthood and emerged as a surprising bestselling author when his spiritual autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, was published in 1948. Spanning the journal entries in an eleven-year period from December 12, 1941, to July 5, 1952, Entering the Silence unfolds Merton's budding literary career and the development of his spiritual ideas in a uniquely personal literary style that would propel his writings into the mainstream. As the demands of his literary success rose, so did the tensions between remaining an observant monk and a talented, prolific writer. Faithful to both of these passions, Merton struggled with the requirements of daily monastic life while he continued to grace the world with his fresh observations and profound insights.

About this title

From the Publisher:

"Let me keep silence in this world, except in so far as God wills and in the way He wills it. Let me at least disappear into the writing I do. It should mean nothing special to me, nor harm my recollection. The work could be a prayer; its results should not concern me."-Thomas Merton, December 14, 1946

During his arduous days and nights in the silence of the monastery, the young Thomas Merton simultaneously advanced to priesthood and emerged as a surprising bestselling author when his spiritual autobiography, The Seven Story Mountain, was published in 1948. Spanning the journal entries in an eleven-year period from December 12, 1941 to July 5, 1952, Entering the Silence unfolds Merton's budding literary career and the development of his spiritual ideas in a uniquely personal literary style that would propel his writings into the mainstream. As the demands of his literary success rose, so did the tensions between remaining an observant monk and a talented, prolific writer. Faithful to both of these passions, Merton struggled with the requirements of daily monastic life while he continued to grace the world with his fresh observations and profound insights.

This second volume in the Merton journals includes passionate descriptions of monastic life -- silence, chanting, farm work, the community of monks -- and touchingly exhibits the young priest's dedication to writing. "At work -- writing -- I am doing a little better. I mean, I am less tied up in it, more peaceful and detached. Taking one thing at a time and going over it slowly and patiently and forgetting the other jobs that have to take their turn."

As Merton's talent as a writer blossomed, he eloquently reconciled his spiritual life with his writing life, drawing deep connection between the two.

About the Author:

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was a Trappist monk, writer and peace activist. His spiritual classics include the bestselling `The Seven Storey Mountain', `New Seeds of Contemplation' and `The Sign of Jonas'. Dr Robert E. Daggy is director of the Thomas Merton Studies Centre at Bellarmine College. He lives in Louisville, KY.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0060654767
• ISBN 13: 9780060654764
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 501
• Editor: Jonathan Montado