Thomas Merton on the Christian Life

By: Thomas Merton, Anthony J. Ciorra

Narrated by: Thomas Merton, Anthony J. Ciorra

This set of captivating talks brings you face-to-face with an intimate side of Thomas Merton - the monk, poet, scholar of literature, and social activist who rocked the 20th century. As with so many of the talks that Merton gave to his novice monks at the Abbey of Gethsemani, these talks put the progression of his thinking - from cloistered monastic life to issues of social justice and interreligious understanding - on view.

Throughout Thomas Merton on the Christian Life, Merton stresses the spiritual necessity of transcending cultural differences. Other topics of interest include: the concept of spiritual poverty; cultural ideas of poverty; otherworldliness; and the contemplative life (as distinct from the religious life).

Join Merton’s original audience 50 years into the future and be moved by his vision of active faith. This set includes an afterword by Anthony Ciorra.

This course is part of the Learn25 collection.

©2018 Now You Know Media Inc. (P)2018 Now You Know Media Inc.

Timeless spiritual wisdom

Hearing Thomas Merton's voice is a surprising and spiritually edifying joy. I've enjoyed many of his recordings through the Learn25 series and am impressed by how relevant and accessible Merton's teaching is. At times the audio in this recording is a bit rough - the original recordings were made decades ago - but I didn't find this too limiting. In these recordings, Merton is both teaching and interacting with his novice students. You get a sense for how he thinks about living out the Christian life. If you have been touched by Merton's writings, I highly recommend his teaching.