Book Review: “New Seeds of Contemplation” by Thomas Merton

Integrity. Unknowing. Balance. Distraction. Wisdom. Despair. Authenticity.

Honoring the feelings of uncertainty is the beginning of courageously embarking on a journey of discernment with God in oneself. The discerning spirit is plagued and blessed with a litany of unknowns amidst a world that projects stark clarity. Daring to live in the spirit by going against the grain of mainstream society enables a vessel to form that asks: How is my life reflecting Christ in the world? What am I doing for Christ? And, what will I do for Christ?

In print for more than forty years, New Seeds of Contemplation has served as a guide to the contemplative life for several generations of spiritual seekers. The thirty-nine short "seeds" that make up this book are intended to awaken and cultivate the contemplative, mystical dimension of the spiritual path for everyone. New Seeds of Contemplation is a revised and expanded version of Merton's earlier book, Seeds of Contemplation.

What is the intent of a book if not "to awaken the dormant inner depths of the spirit so long neglected by Western man, to nurture a deep contemplative and mystical dimension in our spiritual lives." Merton has offered a goal that welcomes readers and seekers into a realm that nurtures and challenges contemplation in oneself that grows into further action.

So, what is contemplation and maybe more importantly, what is not contemplation? He says that contemplation cannot be described, only pointed to or hinted at. He goes on to say that the "I" we feel we are, the one who does all the things we do, is not the true self. We can only really arrive at who we are without thought. We are told everything contemplation is not, basically naval gazing or emotional religious feeling or losing the self in movements like totalitarianism. He describes contemplation as an anguished and tormenting fire that burns away every thought and concept, leading to a realization that the contemplative "no longer knows what God is." The contemplation the reader is invited to undertake is the contemplation of the Lord in relation to the priorities by which one lives life.

Therefore, the word contemplation is itself somewhat problematical for Thomas Merton: "It can become almost a magic word, or if not magic, then 'inspirational,' which is almost as bad." In this modern Christian classic, Merton reveals contemplation to be nothing other than "life itself, fully awake, fully active, fully aware that it is alive."

Though he may have been clear and concise, the knowing of contemplation did not leave Merton above the struggles of finding authentic relationship with God. Merton struggled. He struggled as we all do to find relationship with God and with fellow humans that honored the divine. Merton wrestles with renewing his daily life and challenges the reader to radically renew his or her own life. Merton has the gift of being able to challenge the stability that so many of us cling to. He warns of the dangers of such a life where you sit content with your ideas of yourself as a good person. The significance placed on humility is a constant reminder that we are of God, in Christ and with the Spirit at all times.

It is here, in the midst of coming to practice contemplation, coming to be contemplative, that we can come to know the “I” that is in relationship with Christ and not limited to the mortal “I” that is of the world. The “I” that is the given body of Christ dwelling in each living person is the “I” that brings awareness of relationship that contributes to the harmony of the world. Here is another challenge from Merton: We are called to be in the world and not of the world. Being in the world versus being of the world offers a space of freedom that Merton builds from. It is essential for Merton that the contemplative soul be rooted in the knowledge of self with God so fully that the structure of belief and the tools of having faith do not resemble structure and tools, rather a liberation of self that allows the self to “fall into immense depths, which, although they are infinite, are accessible to all.” Preventing access to the liberating ends of God’s infinitude is the difference between living in fear and living in freedom. Trust in God that results in the absolute trust of self with God is the freedom of living in the spirit, being guided by the spirit to reflect Christ in the world.

The path to God, in Merton's eyes, can take place in an instant, or over many years of struggle. The struggle is never really to unite with God himself, since God loves all of us dearly and wants the most intimate union with each and every one of us, but rather in letting go of every aspect of our selfishness and egoism which makes us turn from God and to our own power and resources, the part which happily says I can do it all on my own, I don't need you, to God. This in Merton's view is the fruit of original sin, the rule of the 'false self' of the ego over our 'true self', which is our own image, made in the image of God himself.

In a space of liberation and absolute trust in God, whether we are experiencing joy or sadness, we can come to know Merton’s charge that Christianity is revolutionary. Merton was troubled by what he saw as the de-sacralization of the world. Humans had traded in their roles as workers and creators to become tools of production and profit. Can we not say the same today? He places heavy importance on the traditionalism of the church, calling it essential but also says Christian tradition "is something absolutely opposed to human traditionalism." The revolutionary aspect is the call to be poor, live with the despised and love and serve others. He calls out the fallacy of political revolution, saying that in the end "the situation will be essentially the same as before: there will be a minority of strong men in power exploiting all the others for their own ends. There will be the same greed and cruelty and lust and ambition and avarice and hypocrisy as before." To Merton, the only real change is when we each wake up to the God that all minds and spirits exist in.

Merton is challenging, he is engaging and, if given the opportunity, has the ability to transform personal spirituality into a revolutionary act of following a Christ that embodies love and challenges a society that does not embrace but controls. Merton embodies the questions of unknowing and offers “seeds” that may not be able to answer questions but absolutely will give roots to questions that will grow into answers as contemplation flourishes and welcomes the spirit.

Peace be with you.

By Katie Cranor

Katie is a Bernardin Scholar at Catholic Theological Union.