The Pocket Thomas Merton (Shambhala Pocket Classics)

I own and have joyfully read many of Thomas Merton’s books. (I just counted them. Twenty. Well, twenty-one with this new one.) This little book has the advantage of including writings from other sources as well as selected highlights from all his books and placed in categories. The four major sections of the book are: Real and False Selves, the World We Live In, Antidotes to Illusion, and Love in Action. I find Merton to be a person who was truly ahead of his time. Although he was a Catholic monk who died, sorrowfully too soon, in 1968, his words still speak to us today. Maybe we are more ready to hear them now. Pope Francis named Merton, along with Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Dorothy Day as the four great, prophetic figures in American History. Merton was just beginning to explore more deeply and enter into more dialogue with the religions of the East when his accidental death occurred at a meeting in Thailand. Another of his gifts was his insight into the technological age in which, he says, “We fly in all directions to sell ourselves.” His “theology of love,” he says, “must seek to deal realistically with the evil and injustice in the world, and not merely to compromise with them.” And, “He who attempts to act and do things for others or for the world without deepening his own self-understanding, freedom, integrity and capacity to love, will not have anything to give others.” This book fits nicely in your purse or pocket. I recommend having it handy.

I love TM and I purchased this one to keep in my purse. Whenever I find myself with a few minutes of dead time, on hold on the phone or waiting on line somewhere, I pull this out and enjoy a page or two. Seven Story Mountain and New Seeds of Contemplation are too big to be carrying around all the time, but this one is perfect! If you've never read him before, this would give you a taste of what he's like and then you can take it from there which one of his books you'd like to read next. If you have read a lot of Merton, this might not be for you. For my purposes it is perfect, because I wanted something of his I could always carry with me.

Thomas Merton was a special spiritual man.What this little book contains are many jewelsof spiritual insights.I loved and will continue to use it. It’s somethingYou can always go back to and enjoy.

Think of this a "Merton Sampler". I use it in my book clubs to give people a sense and feel of what the thinking, writing, and ideas of Thomas Merton are about.

This is a very tiny book with a font size less than 7.

very small and compact yet sturdy little book. great to carry in handbag or leave in car. Perfect short discourses from Thomas Merton on five or so important topics.

Thomas Merton is awesome...one of the best writers of the century

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So much grace and wisdom packed into this little book. I ws reading bits from my copy to my son on a recent road trip and he liked it so much Igot him a copy.

Nice little book

Loved this Book, A Glimpse into the the Life of Thomas Merton

Very flexible little gem. I enjoy and benefit a lot from Merton's work. You can just read individual paragraphs and/or delve in a read the introduction and follow the book through as suggested by the editor and compiler. It is a beautiful little book which slips easily into a pocket.

Good reading full of wisdom