Thomas Merton on Literature: John Milton, T. S. Eliot, and Edwin Muir

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Thomas Merton on Literature: John Milton, T. S. Eliot, and Edwin Muir

New York Times bestselling author of "The Seven Storey Mountain" and "New Seeds of Contemplation" invites you to explore great literature. How can poetry help us understand the world? Thomas Merton's life and works are the stuff of legend. A modern-day Augustine, he left behind his life as a worldly intellectual to join a Trappist monastery. There, he made a name for himself as a best-selling spiritual writer and social activist. This set of six talks reveals a lesser-known side of Thomas Merton: an eminent critic and teacher of literature. His dual identity as a monk and literati make him the premier guide to poetic expression. As you listen along, you will enjoy moments of penetrating insight and reflection as often as moments of levity and laughter. At the center of the talks lies the concept of classical literature: prose and poetry in the tradition of writers like Virgil and Homer. In particular, you will look at the classical consciousness of 20th-century poets T. S. Eliot and Edwin Muir. An all-around literary genius and prolific poet in his own right, Merton reaches the height of his passion and wisdom when he speaks about John Milton in the second half of the series. By tying together an array of writers—from a budding rock star to an epic English poet—you will journey to the heart of the poetic imagination. This course is part of the Learn25 collection.

Episodes

  1. EPISODE 1 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Metaphysical Intuition in Poetry

    New York Times bestselling author of "The Seven Storey Mountain" and "New Seeds of Contemplation" invites you to explore great literature. How can poetry help us understand the world? Thomas Merton's life and works are the stuff of legend. A modern-day Augustine, he left behind his life as a worldly intellectual to join a Trappist monastery. There, he made a name for himself as a best-selling spiritual writer and social activist. This set of six talks reveals a lesser-known side of Thomas Merton: an eminent critic and teacher of literature. His dual identity as a monk and literati make him the premier guide to poetic expression. As you listen along, you will enjoy moments of penetrating insight and reflection as often as moments of levity and laughter. At the center of the talks lies the concept of classical literature: prose and poetry in the tradition of writers like Virgil and Homer. In particular, you will look at the classical consciousness of 20th-century poets T. S. Eliot and Edwin Muir. An all-around literary genius and prolific poet in his own right, Merton reaches the height of his passion and wisdom when he speaks about John Milton in the second half of the series. By tying together an array of writers—from a budding rock star to an epic English poet—you will journey to the heart of the poetic imagination.

    36 min

  2. EPISODE 2 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Mythical Imagination

    New York Times bestselling author of "The Seven Storey Mountain" and "New Seeds of Contemplation" invites you to explore great literature. How can poetry help us understand the world? Thomas Merton's life and works are the stuff of legend. A modern-day Augustine, he left behind his life as a worldly intellectual to join a Trappist monastery. There, he made a name for himself as a best-selling spiritual writer and social activist. This set of six talks reveals a lesser-known side of Thomas Merton: an eminent critic and teacher of literature. His dual identity as a monk and literati make him the premier guide to poetic expression. As you listen along, you will enjoy moments of penetrating insight and reflection as often as moments of levity and laughter. At the center of the talks lies the concept of classical literature: prose and poetry in the tradition of writers like Virgil and Homer. In particular, you will look at the classical consciousness of 20th-century poets T. S. Eliot and Edwin Muir. An all-around literary genius and prolific poet in his own right, Merton reaches the height of his passion and wisdom when he speaks about John Milton in the second half of the series. By tying together an array of writers—from a budding rock star to an epic English poet—you will journey to the heart of the poetic imagination.

    39 min

  3. EPISODE 3 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    The Present State of Poetry

    New York Times bestselling author of "The Seven Storey Mountain" and "New Seeds of Contemplation" invites you to explore great literature. How can poetry help us understand the world? Thomas Merton's life and works are the stuff of legend. A modern-day Augustine, he left behind his life as a worldly intellectual to join a Trappist monastery. There, he made a name for himself as a best-selling spiritual writer and social activist. This set of six talks reveals a lesser-known side of Thomas Merton: an eminent critic and teacher of literature. His dual identity as a monk and literati make him the premier guide to poetic expression. As you listen along, you will enjoy moments of penetrating insight and reflection as often as moments of levity and laughter. At the center of the talks lies the concept of classical literature: prose and poetry in the tradition of writers like Virgil and Homer. In particular, you will look at the classical consciousness of 20th-century poets T. S. Eliot and Edwin Muir. An all-around literary genius and prolific poet in his own right, Merton reaches the height of his passion and wisdom when he speaks about John Milton in the second half of the series. By tying together an array of writers—from a budding rock star to an epic English poet—you will journey to the heart of the poetic imagination.

    31 min

  4. EPISODE 4 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    A Classical Consciousness

    New York Times bestselling author of "The Seven Storey Mountain" and "New Seeds of Contemplation" invites you to explore great literature. How can poetry help us understand the world? Thomas Merton's life and works are the stuff of legend. A modern-day Augustine, he left behind his life as a worldly intellectual to join a Trappist monastery. There, he made a name for himself as a best-selling spiritual writer and social activist. This set of six talks reveals a lesser-known side of Thomas Merton: an eminent critic and teacher of literature. His dual identity as a monk and literati make him the premier guide to poetic expression. As you listen along, you will enjoy moments of penetrating insight and reflection as often as moments of levity and laughter. At the center of the talks lies the concept of classical literature: prose and poetry in the tradition of writers like Virgil and Homer. In particular, you will look at the classical consciousness of 20th-century poets T. S. Eliot and Edwin Muir. An all-around literary genius and prolific poet in his own right, Merton reaches the height of his passion and wisdom when he speaks about John Milton in the second half of the series. By tying together an array of writers—from a budding rock star to an epic English poet—you will journey to the heart of the poetic imagination.

    33 min

  5. EPISODE 5 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Eliot on Milton: “What Is a Classic?”

    New York Times bestselling author of "The Seven Storey Mountain" and "New Seeds of Contemplation" invites you to explore great literature. How can poetry help us understand the world? Thomas Merton's life and works are the stuff of legend. A modern-day Augustine, he left behind his life as a worldly intellectual to join a Trappist monastery. There, he made a name for himself as a best-selling spiritual writer and social activist. This set of six talks reveals a lesser-known side of Thomas Merton: an eminent critic and teacher of literature. His dual identity as a monk and literati make him the premier guide to poetic expression. As you listen along, you will enjoy moments of penetrating insight and reflection as often as moments of levity and laughter. At the center of the talks lies the concept of classical literature: prose and poetry in the tradition of writers like Virgil and Homer. In particular, you will look at the classical consciousness of 20th-century poets T. S. Eliot and Edwin Muir. An all-around literary genius and prolific poet in his own right, Merton reaches the height of his passion and wisdom when he speaks about John Milton in the second half of the series. By tying together an array of writers—from a budding rock star to an epic English poet—you will journey to the heart of the poetic imagination.

    35 min

  6. EPISODE 6 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    The Classical Outlook

    New York Times bestselling author of "The Seven Storey Mountain" and "New Seeds of Contemplation" invites you to explore great literature. How can poetry help us understand the world? Thomas Merton's life and works are the stuff of legend. A modern-day Augustine, he left behind his life as a worldly intellectual to join a Trappist monastery. There, he made a name for himself as a best-selling spiritual writer and social activist. This set of six talks reveals a lesser-known side of Thomas Merton: an eminent critic and teacher of literature. His dual identity as a monk and literati make him the premier guide to poetic expression. As you listen along, you will enjoy moments of penetrating insight and reflection as often as moments of levity and laughter. At the center of the talks lies the concept of classical literature: prose and poetry in the tradition of writers like Virgil and Homer. In particular, you will look at the classical consciousness of 20th-century poets T. S. Eliot and Edwin Muir. An all-around literary genius and prolific poet in his own right, Merton reaches the height of his passion and wisdom when he speaks about John Milton in the second half of the series. By tying together an array of writers—from a budding rock star to an epic English poet—you will journey to the heart of the poetic imagination.

    37 min
  • 6 Episodes

Shows with Subscription Benefits

  • Join Thomas Merton in exploring the timeless words of one of the world's greatest poets, Rainer Maria Rilke. Before entering the monastery, Thomas Merton studied English at Columbia University and taught literature at St. Bonaventure University. His passion for literature never faded, and now you have the rare opportunity to take Thomas Merton as your guide in this set of his outstanding, remastered talks. Delivered to the community at the Abbey of Gethsemani in 1965 and 1966, Merton's talks examine one of his favorite poets: Rainer Maria Rilke (1875–1926). Aside from William Blake, perhaps no poet had as great an influence on Merton as Rilke, who was arguably the greatest poet from turn-of-the century Europe. Born to a devout Catholic mother in nineteenth-century Bohemia, Rilke is cherished for his beautiful verse and his multifaceted views on faith. Deeply influenced by the spiritual figures of his time, Rilke sought to explore God through the imaginative possibilities of art. A renowned (and prolific) poet himself, Merton saw poetry as one of the most fundamental and profound modes of human expression. By exploring the works of Rilke, Merton marries his Catholic spirituality with his passion for poetry, showing how they complement and shed light on each other. By looking at such works as "Duino Elegies," "The Book of Hours," and "Letters to a Young Poet," you will discover how Rilke demonstrates holiness through imaginative possibilities. As you listen to Merton's voice, you will more fully appreciate the abiding power of poetry. This set includes an afterword by Thomas Merton biographer and literature professor Michael W. Higgins.

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  • Can a faithful Catholic benefit from understanding Sufism? Merton thought so. Now you can discover why. In the twentieth century, Thomas Merton, one of Christianity’s great mystics, encountered the ancient Eastern mystical tradition known as Sufism. The result was an outpouring of mystical insight and spiritual wisdom. In these talks, you will discover what first electrified Merton. The Sufi mystics have given us one of the world’s most read poets, Rumi, the beautiful mystical dance of whirling dervishes, interreligious insight, and new forms of contemplation. A visionary who sought to synthesize the best of Eastern and Western spiritualities, Thomas Merton’s profound interest in the Sufi mystics is more relevant today than ever. Merton explores the contemplative wisdom of Sufism to enhance our Christian understanding of mysticism and spiritual practice. In one of his talks to the novices at Gethsemani, he said, “The Sufis are seeking to know God and have ways of seeking to know God, and this should have some success with us...We should be closer to the Sufis.” In these talks, you will watch the development of Merton’s spirituality as he moved towards a greater understanding of interreligious dialogue. Merton believed that the Sufis had much to teach us about prayer, mysticism, and contemplation. Merton will bring you to new and exciting places as he reflects on Sufism and the mystical life. What Merton taught in the mid-twentieth century is prophetic for spiritual seekers in the contemporary world. ***Photographs of Thomas Merton by Sybille Akers and John Howard Griffin. Used with Permission of the Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University.

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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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  • Explore the rich spiritual movements of the Catholic tradition. In this course, you will encounter seven powerful schools of spirituality, discovering what makes each school special and transformative. Your professor is celebrated spirituality expert Fr. Anthony Ciorra, Ph.D. Under his guidance, you will explore how different religious founders developed new insights and charisms, adapting them to the cultures, times, and needs of different generations. After a general introduction, you will embark into the Egyptian desert to seek the timeless wisdom of the Desert Fathers and Mothers. Making your way to Europe, you'll witness the flourishing of monastic spirituality, the radical vision of St. Francis of Assisi, and the powerful preaching of St. Dominic. Your journey continues to Mount Carmel, where you will take in a panoramic view of Carmelite saints like John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Thérèse of Lisieux, and Edith Stein. You will then learn to be a "contemplative in action" with the direction of Ignatius of Loyola and his Spiritual Exercises. And in Salesian spirituality and the Vincentian-Setonian tradition, you'll find inspirational models of Christian living. By studying these particular seven schools, you will gain insight into the ways religious movements arise and transform over time. They make up only a fraction of the many schools of spirituality, but they will give you a taste for the diversity of human spiritual experience. This course will inspire your spirituality with the richness of the Christian tradition.

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New York Times bestselling author of "The Seven Storey Mountain" and "New Seeds of Contemplation" invites you to explore great literature. How can poetry help us understand the world? Thomas Merton's life and works are the stuff of legend. A modern-day Augustine, he left behind his life as a worldly intellectual to join a Trappist monastery. There, he made a name for himself as a best-selling spiritual writer and social activist. This set of six talks reveals a lesser-known side of Thomas Merton: an eminent critic and teacher of literature. His dual identity as a monk and literati make him the premier guide to poetic expression. As you listen along, you will enjoy moments of penetrating insight and reflection as often as moments of levity and laughter. At the center of the talks lies the concept of classical literature: prose and poetry in the tradition of writers like Virgil and Homer. In particular, you will look at the classical consciousness of 20th-century poets T. S. Eliot and Edwin Muir. An all-around literary genius and prolific poet in his own right, Merton reaches the height of his passion and wisdom when he speaks about John Milton in the second half of the series. By tying together an array of writers—from a budding rock star to an epic English poet—you will journey to the heart of the poetic imagination. This course is part of the Learn25 collection.

Information

  • Channel
    Catholic Stream
  • Creator
    Thomas Merton
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Provider
    John Higgins

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