Rating:  Summary: Inspiration for anyone and everyone Review: Thomas Merton wrote "Seeds of Contemplation" when he was a young, relatively inexperienced contemplative. "New Seeds" is his reworking of that text, written after twelve years of intense spiritual effort. Among other things, "New Seeds" is a great companion piece to St. John's "Dark Night of the Soul." I struggled mightily with that book, due to the complexity of thought and of the writing itself. Merton goes through these same stages of spiritual awareness and development in language I found far easier to understand. But "New Seeds" is not merely a reworking of "Dark Night". I can't judge the value of his insights as they would apply to a true contemplative, but I suspect he offers much. For a worldly person who seeks spiritual growth, there is no question of this book's value. Merton's major theme is humility. Only through humility can we discover faith. Only through humility can we rid ourselves of the distractions that separate us from God. Materialism, pride, sensuality, and the like are so well accepted in our society that we seldom see on how deeply they disrupt our souls. Merton's uncompromising reflections are a cold slap in the face. "New Seeds" is also a moving defense of mysticism. God cannot be found through reason alone. He cannot be understood by reading or thinking. In fact, He cannot be understood at all. The emptying that we must do, the shedding of our selfish skins, can only begin when we decide to relinquish our selves to His will. Again, in a materialistic society, such ideas seem absurd; Merton conveys them with a power that makes any other idea seem absurd, even to the most rational reader. Finally...even though Merton cautions us against excessive emotion as a false measure of interior progress, he writes at times with majesty that cannot help but inspire: "As a magnifying glass concentrates the rays of the sun into a little burning ray of heat that can set fire to a dry leaf or a piece of paper, so the mystery of Christ in the Gospel concentrates the rays of God's light and fire to a point that sets fire to the spirit of man...Through the glass of His Incarntation He concentrates the rays of His Divine Truth and Love upon us so that we feel the burn, and all mystical experience is communicated to men through the Man Christ."
Rating:  Summary: The best first book to read on Merton Review: Thomas Merton wrote so many books (over 60)that it is very intimidating and confusing for beginners to know where to start. Start here with writing that is clear, beautiful, inspiring and representative of Merton's most mature reflections. I have read it several times and always have my journal near by to jot down inspriations that come to me like fleeting dream images.
Rating:  Summary: One of the great books on prayer Review: Those who are seeking a "how-to" book on prayer will probably be disappointed -- they'd be happier with Merton's "Meditation" (bundled with "Spiritual Direction") or "Contemplative Prayer." But for those who have tasted contemplation and are seeking some guideposts to mark their way, this is one of the finest books available. A beautiful, inspiring work by one of the greatest modern writers on the spiritual life.
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