Thomas Merton and the Monastic Vision

This work is an attempt to understand Merton against the background of his contemplative experience as a Trappist monk. For this is how Merton understood himself. Moving beyond Merton's autobiography (The Seven Storey Mountain), Cunningham enables one to see the motivations and struggles that pulled Merton toward the monastic life. He provides helpful insights into Merton's spiritual/intellectual formation, helping one to see the perspective from which he was able to have such keen insights into human life. Highly recommended.