The Way of Thomas Merton: A prayer journey through Lent

by Robert Inchausti

Overview

'This Lenten devotional is unlike any I've seen. It's not about giving up something trivial for a few weeks. It's about getting free of the "false self" that alienates us from ourselves, each other and God. Nobody understood that transformation better than Thomas Merton - and nobody understands Merton better than Robert Inchausti.'
Parker J. Palmer, writer, speaker and author of On the Brink of Everything

The Way of Thomas Merton guides you through the major themes of Merton's work and shows how his advice can help you to overcome the obstacles that modern life presents for spiritual development.

For Merton, the spiritual life is a journey from the false to the true self - a journey that all followers of Jesus must take - and this book will help you to love and nurture your true self as you journey through Lent and beyond.

‘While no one can take your journey for you, Inchausti's poetically insightful reflection on Thomas Merton's life of deep inquiry opens a window through which you may discover your own unique pathway home.'
Ward Mailliard, co-founder of the Mount Madonna Center, Watsonville, California

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780281085828
Publisher:	SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge)
Publication date:	11/17/2022
Series:	The Way of , #11
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	5.43(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Robert Inchausti is Professor of English at California State Polytechnic Universityand the author of numerous books. He is the editor of the Thomas Merton books Echoing Silence, Seeds and The Pocket Thomas Merton. He has spoken at Merton conferences in the UK, Canada, Brazil and the United States.

Table of Contents

List of abbreviations ix

Introduction 1

1 An apostle, not a genius 8

2 The via negativa 12

3 Finding our true selves 18

4 The art of loss 24

5 The gifts of the wounded child 28

6 Columbia 34

7 Conversion 39

8 My Argument with the Gestapo 43

9 Escape from escapism 47

10 The Seven Storey Mountain 53

11 What is contemplation? 59

12 Crossing the Rubicon 66

13 Merton as spiritual director 69

14 On Fourth and Walnut 73

15 Apology to an unbeliever 75

16 'The Root of War is Fear' 82

17 Re-opening the Bible 87

18 Life without care 92

19 The Merton legacy 95

Notes 107

Works cited 112

Editorial Reviews

'Robert Inchausti is a lifelong scholar and teacher of the luminous and mystical as it appears in the soul and in the streets. In The Way of Thomas Merton, he continues to illuminate the journey of the contemplative to "seek the centre of his own living truth" as Merton himself described. This is the unavoidable odyssey of the modern soul: to find our enduring kinship through our irrevocable authenticity. Inchausti models this while weaving countless insights from the ages.'

'This Lenten devotional is unlike any I've seen. It's not about giving up something trivial for a few weeks. It's about getting free of the "false self" that alienates us from ourselves, each other, and God. Nobody understood that transformation better than Thomas Merton-and nobody understands Merton better than Robert Inchausti, whose spiritual sensibilities run deep and true. As a long-time Merton student and fellow seeker, I learned much from this brilliant treatise. I believe you will, too.'

'In his insightful illumination of Thomas Merton’s journey, Inchausti provides fuel for our search for the authentic self that lies beneath our everyday yearnings. To read this book is to reengage with the most important questions of our lives. While no one can take your journey for you, Inchausti's poetically insightful reflection on Thomas Merton's life of deep inquiry opens a window through which you may discover your own unique pathway home.'

From the Publisher