Contemplative Prayer (1969)

by Thomas Merton

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In this classic text, Thomas Merton offers valuable guidance for prayer. He brings together a wealth of meditative and mystical influences–from John of the Cross to Eastern desert monasticism–to create a spiritual path for today. Most important, he shows how the peace contacted through meditation should not be sought in order to evade the problems of contemporary life, but can instead be directed back out into the world to affect positive change. Contemplative Prayer is one of the most well-known works of spirituality of the last one hundred years, and it is a must-read for all seeking to live a life of purpose in today’s world. In a moving and profound introduction, Thich Nhat Hanh offers his personal recollections of Merton and compares the contemplative traditions of East and West.… (more)

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In this classic text, Thomas Merton offers valuable guidance for prayer. He brings together a wealth of meditative and mystical influences–from John of the Cross to Eastern desert monasticism–to create a spiritual path for today. Most important, he shows how the peace contacted through meditation should not be sought in order to evade the problems of contemporary life, but can instead be directed back out into the world to affect positive change.

Contemplative Prayer is one of the most well-known works of spirituality of the last one hundred years, and it is a must-read for all seeking to live a life of purpose in today’s world.

StFrancisofAssisi | Jul 11, 2019 |

tony_sturges | Jun 6, 2019 |

A series of meditations by Merton regarding the life of contemplative prayer.

The author spends time discussing some of the mechanics of the contemplative prayer life, explores some of its historical figures, and speaks of the challenges of the false self attempting to use contemplative prayer to justify its own ends, as well as the challenges of maintaining balance in a contemplative position.

Worth consideration and reflection. (

)

deusvitae | Jan 28, 2019 |

A sad farewell to a great voice. It was even better the second time. These essays, put together after his death, lack the editing and integration he might have done but nonetheless bring a modern voice to an ancient tradition. He gives much to savor and ponder. (

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danhammang | Apr 16, 2017 |

Thomas Merton's final book is a contemplation of contemplative prayer. It's primarily written to monks, but could be useful for anyone interested in deepening his or her understanding of prayer.

I was at a bit of a disadvantage being neither a monk nor a Catholic nor very clear yet on what "contemplative prayer" means in practice. Merton's advice is still very practical, and I like the emphasis he gives on the fact that what's learned in silence and solitude should translate into visible action and love of fellow men. I wrote down several quotes to mull over further and would read it again in the future. (

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bell7 | Apr 21, 2016 |

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Thomas Merton	—	primary author	all editions	calculated
Montaldo, Jonathan	Narrator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Nhất Hạnh, Thích	Introduction	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Steele, Douglas V.	Foreword	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

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Cistercian Studies Series [Liturgical Press] (1)

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Canonical title

Contemplative Prayer

Original title

The Climate of Monastic Prayer

Alternative titles

Original publication date

People/Characters

Gregory I, ca. 540-604

Francis de Sales

(show all 8 items)

Important places

Celles, Hainaut, Belgium

Cluny, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France

Carthage (Tunis, Tunisia)

Ruthenia

Silesia

(show all 7 items)

Important events

Douay–Rheims Bible (1582)

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Epigraph

He who walks in darkness, to whom no light appears, let him trust in the name of Yahweh, let him rely upon his God. - Isaiah 50:10

I will give them a heart to understand that I am Yahweh, and they shall be my people and I will be their God when they return to me with all their heart. - Jeremiah 24:7

Dedication

First words

I first met Thomas Merton in 1966. It is hard to describe his face in words, to write down exactly what he was like. He was filled with human warmth. (From Intro by Thich Nhat Hanh, Duras, France, December, 1995)

Quotations

It is precisely the function of meditation, in the sense in which we speak of it here, to bring us to this attitude of awareness and receptivity. It also gives us strength and hope, along with a deep awareness of the value of interior silence in which the mystery of God's love is made clear to us.

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Disambiguation notice

Originally published as The Climate of Monastic Prayer in 1969.

Publisher's editors

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Original language

English

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Centering prayer

Christian contemplation

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In this classic text, Thomas Merton offers valuable guidance for prayer. He brings together a wealth of meditative and mystical influences–from John of the Cross to Eastern desert monasticism–to create a spiritual path for today. Most important, he shows how the peace contacted through meditation should not be sought in order to evade the problems of contemporary life, but can instead be directed back out into the world to affect positive change. Contemplative Prayer is one of the most well-known works of spirituality of the last one hundred years, and it is a must-read for all seeking to live a life of purpose in today’s world. In a moving and profound introduction, Thich Nhat Hanh offers his personal recollections of Merton and compares the contemplative traditions of East and West.

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