Ways of Prayer: Thomas Merton on a Desert Father’s Wisdom

Few figures in the history of Christian mysticism loom larger than Thomas Merton and Saint John Cassian. Now, this series of remastered archival recordings makes 13 of Merton’s long-lost lectures on his forefather available to you.

Merton and “John the Ascetic” share a number of striking similarities despite the fact that they were separated by more than 15 centuries. Both Merton and Cassian are celebrated for their enduring contributions to us: their two groundbreaking spiritual works, and their efforts to harmonize Eastern and Western spirituality.

Credited with integrating Eastern monasticism into Western thought, Cassian’s writings (Institutes  and Conferences) set forth the basic principles of the monastic life: unceasing prayer, charity, and asceticism. Especially compelling are his teachings about prayer and virtue—namely the “prayer of fire.”

This collection of Merton’s lectures on Cassian highlight the enduring relevance of the saint’s teachings to the rapidly changing world and the modern Church.

Through these recordings, you too will journey back in time to Merton’s monastic classroom, where you’ll have the opportunity to discover the vitality of Cassian’s philosophy. An inimitable speaker, Merton breathes new life into these ancient texts, weaving traditional methods of prayer into the fabric of modern reality.

Discover for yourself why Cassian’s mysticism is cherished in the monastic tradition and the wider Christian community.

This set includes an afterword by Fr. Anthony Ciorra.

Learn about downloadable programs.

***“Photograph of Thomas Merton by Sibylle Akers. Used with Permission of the Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University.  These recordings are from the archives of the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University, in Louisville, Kentucky.