I am currently reading "No Man is an Island". What do you think? Ever read any of his other stuff?

WE read Merton when I was in college. Takes a VERY special mind to read him AND understand him.We called him ,"the thinking priests' priest'.BUT when you have finished reading his writing you have moved onto a far higher level of thought. I enjoyed "The Seven Story Mountain" best.
He died far, far to early. An instructor told us that God called him to heaven to sit along side him and talk to him when things on earth got too difficult to fathom
I re-read him often, not a whole book but maybe paragraphs or chapters

I pass on my copies to friends who have lost SO's,partners, spouses, and especially when they have lost children. Tell then to read slowly, close the books often, lean back and just go with the flow they may be enjoying

The Seven Storey Mountain--a must read for any Thomas Merton fan.

There are so many, many interesting types who post here. I sometimes wish we could have an annual get-together to meet and develop friendships.. I haven't heard Thomas Merton mentioned in years until I read the post from IchbinJay

I read that in college. Still have it at home, I used to do a lot of stuff with Opus Dei, who aren't big fans of Thomas Merton.

I haven't practiced Catholicism since I was 19 either.

Thomas Merton has to be my favorite thinker/writer of all time. No one stacks up to him...especially since I'm at college and I have to read all these literary snobs and their sensualism...well, I don't have to tell you that it has been way over done. I'm always interested in meeting people who have read him. You guys are few and far apart. Thus far I've read: Seven Storey Mountain, New Seeds of Contemplation, No Man is an Island, The New Man. I just can't get enough of him...I always try and turn people on to him at school but it's hard, especially with all the partying and paganistic behavior that goes on. That makes me sound like a right wing religious freak, doesn't it? Anyway. I'd love to chat with some of you about Merton as I said. Anyone have AIM? My name is: EinNeueMann.

Ichbinjay

I was in college in the 60s, the best part of the 60s, before the "intellectuals" gained control and ruined education. i.e. P.C.,quotas, etc etc., ad nauseum.
We read, talked with each other, didn't party, drink much, no drugs, and felt we were there to be educated not entertained at parents expense.
Next to the years I spent as an officer in the USAF those years were the BEST of my life.
We had BS sessions with profs, did the assigned readings, had exams that HAD to be passed to get grades and we didn't B-t-h if we didn't get a grade we thought we were
entitled to, well maybe we did B-t-h some.

We formed groups out of class to discuss mutual interests, fav writers, talked late into the eves and got up early the next morn for 7AM classes.

Don't know where you go to school but I'd be willing to wager that there are others in your school who feel as you do. Put a notice on a bulletin board or an ad in the student paper.

Don't be concerned if only a few show up. Those few will prove to be far more worthy conversationalists, than a room full of deadheads

I believe 500 years in the future Merton will be read and discussed as were Augustine, St Francis, even Machievelli, and Gallileo, an yeh even Shakespeare who has much good philosphy in his writings

While I may have doubts about the overall quality of teaching and education in general, I have no doubts at all about the ability of many graduates to succeed, I chalk it up to the old idea that brains are like sponges...just waiting to soak up ideas....if exposed to them

I'm barely computer literate, its a minor tool in my life and lifestyle, not a major component so I don't do AIM. My loss

Travelinguy, you don't know how much I needed to hear that...I goto a state college in Massachusettss...it's alright, unfortunatley the only openminds are only open to the newest pop culutre craze. It can be a very lonely place for anyone with an interest in these sort of things, religion, faith what ever you call it. I think I'll take you up on your advice...that sounds like a good idea.