Thomas Merton: Spiritual Direction and Meditation

Despite being a very short book Merton has so much nuance to his thought that he packs a great deal of insight into a few pages. A helpful introduction to both topics

I bought this book for my husband since that was one of the items he asked for. He's read about all of it and has enjoyed reading it. If you are seeking some direction on your spiritual journey, this is not a bad read.

"Spiritual Direction" and "Meditation" have become spiritual buzz words these days. So many books teach the novice how to go about sitting, breathing, visualizing, etc. Merton cuts through the chase and offers a helpful guide to the Christian who really wants to grow through the cultivation of the inner life. But why shouldn't he? Merton's books were teaching generations truths about the contemplative life before the buzz words started to buzz. This short, easy to read book is a joy to recommend.

As one who recives spiritual direction, I am constantly on the lookout for books that make sense of a discipline that can all too easily be shrouded in a fog of verbiage. This is one of the very few books that fits the bill; it speaks to the reader directly, in simple, straightforward prose, and its content speaks directly to the spiritual needs of beginners in meditation like me. In particular, the chapters on "How to Meditate" and "Temperament and Mentl Prayer" were especially helpful. All in all, this is the best introductory manual on the practice of prayer that I have seen since Anthony Bloom's "Beginning to Pray."