Thomas Merton on Poetry
"Literature, drama, poetry, make certain statements about [human] acts that can be made in no other way." - Thomas Merton Take Thomas Merton as your personal poetry professor. You know Thomas Merton as one of the most beloved voices of the 20th century: a profound mystic, a gifted writer, and an exceptional teacher. He was also a celebrated poet and lifelong lover of literature, and these lectures showcase his extraordinary insights into poetry. Whatever your level of familiarity with poetry, hearing Merton in his own voice will invigorate your imagination. In this captivating set, Merton explores how poetry illuminates such topics as love, suffering, spirituality, and nature. Under his guidance, you will look at poets like William Blake, Gerard Manley Hopkins, WH Auden, TS Eliot, Emily Dickinson, Ezra Pound, Charles Peguy, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Both thoroughly in touch with contemporary society and unafraid to critique it from a Christian lens, Merton provides a unique perspective on classic literature. These lectures transport you into Thomas Merton's classroom. As you will discover, Merton saw poetry not only as one of the most profound modes of human expression but also as a way to encounter Jesus. A brilliant author himself, Thomas Merton possessed an unparalleled appreciation for these poets' work. Let the words of this masterful poet enlighten you today. Photograph of Thomas Merton by Sibylle Akers. Used with permission of the Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University. These recordings are from the archives of the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky.
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- Join Thomas Merton in exploring one of the most influential figures in the history of spirituality. Delivered in 1962 to the novices at Merton's monastery, these talks allow you to hear his voice and experience his powerful teaching. Born in the fourth century, Saint John Cassian (A.D. 360 – 435) lived when tensions between the traditional and innovative peaked. A monk and theologian, Cassian made the Christian tradition relevant for the needs of his day in his spiritual works. Indeed, his spirituality remains essential today; he influenced Saints Benedict and Ignatius of Loyola, and his works continue to be read worldwide. These remastered recordings of his lectures give you the opportunity to discover the vitality of Cassian's philosophy of prayer with Thomas Merton as your guide. A teacher par excellence, Merton breathes new life into ancient texts as he passes tradition onto novices. Merton's conferences are not didactic presentations about Cassian's teachings but meaningful applications of them to the modern world. Cassian integrated Eastern monasticism into Western thought, and his Conferences provide the principles of monastic life: unceasing prayer, charity, and asceticism. Especially compelling are his teachings about prayer and virtue and his examination of the "prayer of fire" as the goal of contemplation. Merton guides you through these topics and more in his captivating talks. You will discover why the mysticism of John Cassian is cherished in the monastic tradition and the wider Christian community alike. These conferences will inspire you as you explore your own spiritual life. This set includes an afterword by Fr. Anthony Ciorra.
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- CreatorThomas Merton
- Episodes17
- ProviderJohn Higgins
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