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by: Thomas Merton
List Price: $16.00Amazon.com's Price: $10.88 You Save: $5.12 (32%)Prices subject to change. Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 291.42
EAN: 9780374520014
ISBN: 0374520011
Label: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 320
Publication Date: November 29, 1999
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Sales Rank: 192823
Studio: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Thomas Merton was recognized as one of those rare Western minds that are entirely at home with the Zen experience. In this collection, he discusses diverse religious concepts-early monasticism, Russian Orthodox spirituality, the Shakers, and Zen Buddhism-with characteristic Western directness. Merton not only studied these religions from the outside but grasped them by empathy and living participation from within. 'All these studies,' wrote Merton, 'are united by one central concern: to understand various ways in which men of different traditions have conceived the meaning and method of the 'way' which leads to the highest levels of religious or of metaphysical awareness.'
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - The Varieties of Contemplative Experience
This book consists of a number of essays written at different times, and though the range of topics seem quite varied at first (which isn't necessarily a bad thing--we call it the "spice of life" after all), a little thought will show the unifying theme to be the contemplative traditions within the world religions, principally Buddhism and Christianity. It is also apparent that several of the essays were originally book reviews, but Merton's incredible writing style and deep spirituality transform ... Read More
Rating:  - Valuable for students of Asian religion and mysticism
Although this book is a collection of essays over a range of subjects, and therefore not a continuous work, it is a very valuable work for understanding Chinese religion, Zen, and European mysticism (the main topics it addresses). The essays are classicaly Merton, although they are written in a more academic style -- and perhaps this is why the book has drawn criticism from the other reviewers. In other words, this book is less for learning about prayer and contemplation for one's own daily practice, ... Read More
Rating:  - This book is all over the place...
Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was a Roman Catholic monk who frequently wrote on religious topics. This particular book, however, is quite scattered. The format is a collection of essays and articles with no seeming link, paper to paper. Some of the better essays are: "Classic Chinese Thought" "From Pilgrimage to Crusade" "The Jesuits in China" "Pleasant Hill"
Merton states his goal in these terms, "All these studies are united by one central concern: to understand various ways in which men of ... Read More
Rating: - Mystics and Zen Masters-a review
Thomas Merton researched this book thoroughly by pouring through obscure and not-so-obscure texts in many classifications and countries. The book is a tracing of the development of each of the religions throughout their known records, with comparisons to major ideologies. English and Russian Mystics are delved into, as well as religion in China, early Buddhism, the Tao and the Jesuit's presence there. Christianity's high points are scanned. Monasticism is explored in both Protestantism and Zen Buddhism. ... Read More
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