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katiegilley's review against another edition
“You will never find interior solitude unless you make some conscious effort to deliver yourself from the desire and cares and the attachments of an existence in time and in the world.”
I read this during my early morning quiet time over the last month or so. Each chapter was relatively short, so it wasn’t an overwhelming task to read one or two each morning. For me, this was one of those take what you need books – I don’t identify as a Christian and still found a lot of nuggets to tuck away and chew on.
In his preface, Merton writes, “On the other hand, there are perhaps people without formal religious affiliations who will find in these pages something that appeals to them. If they do, I am glad, as I feel myself a debtor to them more than to the others.” I was thankful for that invitation and felt at home in the midst of his pages, despite not subscribing to all of his underlying principles.
I read this during my early morning quiet time over the last month or so. Each chapter was relatively short, so it wasn’t an overwhelming task to read one or two each morning. For me, this was one of those take what you need books – I don’t identify as a Christian and still found a lot of nuggets to tuck away and chew on.
In his preface, Merton writes, “On the other hand, there are perhaps people without formal religious affiliations who will find in these pages something that appeals to them. If they do, I am glad, as I feel myself a debtor to them more than to the others.” I was thankful for that invitation and felt at home in the midst of his pages, despite not subscribing to all of his underlying principles.
dashtaisen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
There's lots here! This is a really interesting collection of mystical approaches to contemplation. There are definitely some parts which are very much of a particular time and place, but there's also plenty that's widely applicable
docbrooke's review against another edition
Shelving this for now, but I hope to return to it.
surprisinglysoulful's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
mstine's review against another edition
4.0
This was a tough one to plow through. Many many insights into what contemplation is and is not, but I think I may very well have missed the forest for the myriad of trees. I will need to revisit this one some day.
jedwardsusc's review against another edition
3.0
Compelling in parts, but somehow less than what I expected.
glowbird's review against another edition
3.0
Skimmed. I’m new to Merton, so I didn’t know what to expect. For every grain of insight I found just as much long-winded sermon speak. I did find his crankiness with regards to urban life and consumerism pretty charming. If you didn’t know he was a monk before you read this, you definitely pick it up in context.
ryberst's review against another edition
5.0
For me, very little, almost nothing, can be said about any of Merton's writings. It seems inappropriate for some reason, as if I am being presumptuous or overly cheeky. I will say that, for me, Merton ranks among the top writers/texts in my spiritual library, along with Khalil Gibran, the Tao Te Ching, and the Desert Fathers.I first read this book my first semester of college, and at that time and maturity level, understood so little of it. Reading it for a second time, at this point in my life, was so refreshing, so reflective, and reviving. A book I will hold close to my heart