Thomas Merton on Contemplation

Podcast-style audio course -
Length: 3 hrs and 40 mins
(30 customer reviews)
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Audio Download + Subscription
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Audio Sample:

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.

After a radical conversion experience, Merton became a Trappist monk in the Abbey of Gethsemani, where he wrote the spiritual classic The Seven Storey Mountain. At the heart of Merton’s transformative conversion was contemplation. Now, this series invites you into that profound contemplative experience.

Recorded during the last decade of his life, these six powerful conferences were delivered by Merton at Gethsemani, where he gave religious instruction to the novice monks. As you listen to Merton in his own voice, you will encounter a candid, personal side of this beloved spiritual writer. Remastered for you to enjoy, these conferences exemplify his teachings on prayer and contemplation.

These carefully selected

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.

After a radical conversion experience, Merton became a Trappist monk in the Abbey of Gethsemani, where he wrote the spiritual classic The Seven Storey Mountain. At the heart of Merton’s transformative conversion was contemplation. Now, this series invites you into that profound contemplative experience.

Recorded during the last decade of his life, these six powerful conferences were delivered by Merton at Gethsemani, where he gave religious instruction to the novice monks. As you listen to Merton in his own voice, you will encounter a candid, personal side of this beloved spiritual writer. Remastered for you to enjoy, these conferences exemplify his teachings on prayer and contemplation.

These carefully selected conferences cover such topics as the spiritual journey, John Cassian’s philosophy of prayer, silence as an act of worship, and the key components of prayer in meditation. In the final conference, you will listen to Merton’s farewell address, a powerful talk that captures his human side. With an extensive afterword by Merton expert Fr. Anthony Ciorra, these conferences are true treasures.

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Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk and bestselling author of such beloved works as The Seven Storey Mountain and New Seeds of Contemplation. One of the 20th century’s great mystics, Merton was also a masterful teacher who delivered powerful conferences to the novice monks at the Abbey of Gethsemani. In these conferences, Merton’s thinking moved from cloistered monastic life to issues of social justice and interreligious understanding. A spiritual sage and guide for countless men and women, Merton struggled with complex questions about God’s existence and the role of organized religion.

Those who knew him also experienced his gifts as a homilist and teacher. These special, remastered recordings are part of his spoken word legacy. They are actual recordings of Thomas Merton. By agreement with The Thomas Merton Legacy Trust, Now You Know Media has the sole right to record, master, re-master, duplicate, market, and disseminate copies of “The Merton Recordings,” which are a selection of the archives housed in the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky.

 

  • Prayer and Meditation on the Meaning of Life (1/28/1964)
  • Monastic Spirituality: Life is a Journey (1/16/1963)
  • Cassian on Prayer (5/19/1963)
  • God-Centered Prayer (9/1967)
  • Religious Silence (12/14/1963)
  • Afterward by Fr. Anthony Ciorra, Ph.D.

30 reviews for Thomas Merton on Contemplation

  1. richard

    As always, Merton doesn’t disappoint!

    Merton is at his best here, as he delves into his “mainstay” of contemplation, monasticism, and silence. Hearing his voice is a revelation in itself! Highly recommended.

  2. Frank

    What a great opportunity to listen to him!

    It is indeed like being at his feet, listening to his words talking to each of us. It is a life experience worthy to live once and again. Contemplation lessons are good for any of us living in this busy world, surrounded by all kinds of things and always working and active, without time even to think. And solitude is a good practice to prove we don’t really need to be “connected” all the time.

  3. Richard Bell

    As always, Merton doesn’t disappoint!

    Merton is at his best here, as he delves into his “mainstay” of contemplation, monasticism, and silence. Hearing his voice is a revelation in itself! Highly recommended.

  4. Ray

    Important lessons/Mediocre recording

    I enjoyed listening to and contemplating the lessons offered by Thomas Merton himself. I was however frustrated by not really being able to hear the comments/questions by the students who were participating in his classes. Merton sometimes answered a question so that the question was included but more often I felt that I missed a lot by not hearing the full exchange. I imagine listening with headphones would make my comment moot but listening in a vehicle or on a Bose Wave was less than satisfactory.

    Aside from the technical complaint I laughed and learned and was inspired by TM and am happy to own this CD set.

  5. Francisco Marin

    What a great opportunity to listen to him!

    It is indeed like being at his feet, listening to his words talking to each of us. It is a life experience worthy to live once and again. Contemplation lessons are good for any of us living in this busy world, surrounded by all kinds of things and always working and active, without time even to think. And solitude is a good practice to prove we don’t really need to be “connected” all the time.

  6. Carl Langenderfer, Cincinnati, OH. USA.

    *

    Recording of Merton’s own lectures in his own voice and setting; sometimes hard to hear.

  7. William Hester, Rosenberg, TX USA

    *

    I absolutely recommend this, even though disagreeing with some of what Thomas Merton says here, but that is a very, very small amount. The rest is thoroughly insightful and well thought-out.

  8. Paul Doherty, Arundel, Maine USA

    *

    It is such a joy listening not only to the content but the actual voice of Merton. The only drawback is that the voices of the novices he is addressing are difficult to understand.

  9. Alex

    A twentieth century classic!

    Thomas Merton’s lectures are a twentieth century classic! Now You Know Media has restored these classic presentations in a way that feels like Merton is speaking to you.

  10. Christopher

    A priceless gift for listeners!

    To be able to hear Merton in his own voice, the nuances of his personality come forth… a priceless gift for listeners who never got the chance to meet him.

  11. Fr. Thomas

    Merton is most candid and relaxed in this CD set.

    Merton is most candid and relaxed in this CD set.

  12. Helga

    It is uplifting to listen to, again and again.

    It is thrilling to hear Merton live, even if sound had to be restored. He really comes across like a “T” (that’s capital T) Teacher. It is uplifting to listen to, again and again.

  13. Dcn. Charlie

    The Thomas Merton recordings are a treasure to be listened to over and over.

    The Thomas Merton recordings are a treasure to be listened to over and over. Wonderful depth and teaching from a great spiritual adviser.

  14. Doris

    It was amazing listening to the teachings of Thomas Merton.

    It was amazing listening to the teachings of Thomas Merton. He was profound – yet had a delightful sense of humor.

  15. Timothy

    It is amazing to be able to hear Thomas Merton’s own voice.

    It is amazing to be able to hear Thomas Merton’s own voice. All of his recordings from Now You Know Media are well done and true treasures.

  16. Sr. Carolyn

    quality not good

    It is difficult some times to understand Thomas Mertons voice the quality is not clear. Otherwise I am pleased with this

  17. Lori

    Hearing Merton share his retreats…thoughts…ideas is amazing. Simply amazing.

    Hearing Merton share his retreats…thoughts…ideas is amazing. Simply amazing.

  18. Rick

    Excellent introduction to Thomas Merton’s approach to spirituality.

    Excellent introduction to Thomas Merton’s approach to spirituality. It should trigger an interest in reading “The Seven Story Mountain” and other works by Merton.

  19. Jim

    Like being there with him!

    Merton teaching the novices was like being there with him, the nuances, the change in his voice, the excitement of his message were a wonderful and spiritual treat.

  20. Netta

    This recording shows Thomas Merton at his most relaxed and confident

    This recording shows Thomas Merton at his most relaxed and confident, interacting with his novices, and working hard to explain difficult concepts in a simple way.

  21. Michael K., CO

    Fall Survey: October 2016

    It was so nice to actually hear Merton’s voice, discover his humor and listen to him as if actually in his presence.

  22. Dan C., NY

    Fall Survey: October 2016

    Thomas Merton’s conferences for the monks at Gethsemani are a wonderful source of wisdom for Merton lovers. Having read nearly all of his published writings, being able to hear this master riff on matters of the spirit is a fantastic complement to his vast corpus of written work. Listening to the conferences, you can then read Merton again and “hear” him as he writes his memorable prose.

  23. Rev. Randy

    Helpful

    Merton’s insights hold true even 48 years later. His thoughts on prayer, entrapment and the Church are especially helpful. The editing could be improved.

  24. David

    Valued

    Thomas Merton is presenting instruction to the novices at the monastery which is a preferred venue for listening than the recordings he made on tape for the sisters at the convent. This recording is valued for hearing Merton speaking in a more casual and spontaneous manner than reading from his books. He covers the topic thoroughly and speaks sincerely from history and his own personal experience.

  25. Fr. Daniel R., OMI, CT,

    Winter Survey: January 2017

    Great to hear Merton’s voice and hear his sense of humor. Wonderful to have the interaction with the novices; makes it fresh and easier to connect to real life contemplative situation.

  26. John, NY

    Winter Survey: January 2017

    I enjoyed hearing Merton talking to the novices. His concern for them and his pleasure in interacting with them added an extra dimension of meaningfulness to what he had to say.

  27. Ken S., Gloucestershire. England

    Winter Survey: January 2017

    This was the first course I ordered from Now You Know Media after seeing an advertisement in the London Review of Books. You can hear Merton’s teaching style develop as he encourages his students to reflect on the meaning of contemplation and how it can enrich their lives. He gently (and not without humour) brings his students and listeners with him as they explore the mysteries of faith. It’s a course you will want to listen to many times.

  28. Ed D., MI

    Winter Survey: January 2017

    The spiritual life is a journey, we need many guides, Thomas Merton is a good one

  29. John , NY

    Summer Survey: July 2017

    Hearing Merton speak to the young monks in training is a special feature of this course. You hear him speaking in a number of emotional tones, from the playful and joking to the deeply serious as he conveys messages of core personal importance to himself that he urgently wants to convey to the novices in his care. His personal connection to those with whom he is speaking adds a special richness to these talks.

  30. David W., Nottinghamshire, England

    Summer Survey: July 2017

    Listening to Thomas Merton speak after an informative introduction which explained the subject proved both very interesting and stimulating

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