picked up "New Seeds of Contemplation" last night

[ulysses]

I think it's going to be interesting to read this as an agnostic. Fr. Merton wasn't shy about his religion, of course, so I kept wanting to argue with him in the first chapter, "What is Contemplation?"

Anyone interested in reading it with me?

[kliljedahl]

1. Possibly

I've never heard of it, but as a fellow agnostic I'm still trying to figure Xtians out. Just finishing "God's Politics" By Jim Wallis. Have you read it?

[ulysses]

2. I haven't, although

I've read part of The Soul of Politics by the same author. Wallis is good.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

3. yes, i've read it but will have to scour my stacks for it ...i also read..

Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander, Merton's lamants about the monastic life and the issues of greed and consumerism stating it is all too easy for religious people like himself to scapegoat and denounce Wall Street, large corporations, global marketing, or capitalism in general, seeing only the dehumanized surface, overlooking the faithful service to society of hardworking people in many occupations in the system.

I have house guests visiting from Canada this week and will not be on board for a few days. I will be reading it in the mean time and hope to catch up with you then to discuss Merton.

Henri Nouwen is another of my favs

:hi:
"One of the first things to learn if you want to be a contemplative is to mind your own business. Nothing is more suspicious, in a man who seems holy, than an impatient desire to reform other men."....... Thomas Merton "New Seeds of Contemplation"

[Theres-a]

4. Great Merton quote,ED

I also enjoy nouwen.

[ulysses]

5. no rush.

My reading time is pretty limited these days. :hi: