The Chicago Chapter—ITMS readers will begin discussing Thomas Merton’s Contemplation in a World of Action at its next meeting from 7-8 p.m. next Monday, July 26, in the library of the Immaculate Conception Passionist Monastery, 5700 N. Harlem, Chicago. Fr. Francis Cusack is the moderator of this discussion group. The format is to read the book in advance and discuss it, usually chapter by chapter, at the meeting. For more information, contact Fr. Francis at 773-631-1686, ext. 241.
"When I speak of the contemplative life I do not mean the institutional, cloistered life . . . I am talking about a special dimension of inner discipline and experience, a certain integrity and fullness of personal development. . . . Discovering the contemplative life is a new self-discovery. One might say it is the flowering of a deeper identity on an entirely different plane. . . ." —Thomas Merton, from the book
The spiritual and psychological insights of these essays were nurtured in a monastic milieu, but their issues are universally human. Merton lays a foundation for personal growth and transformation through fidelity to "our own truth and inner being." His main focus is our desire and need to attain "a fully human and personal identity."
“To me, [Contemplation in a World of Action] is [Merton’s] most eloquent book, for in it he speaks more directly of the contemplative life than he ever had before, and in so doing, distilled the wisdom gained from his own contemplative experience.” —Julius Lester, New York Times Book Review
“Many years ahead of his time—as all serious prophets are—Merton saw the necessary link between contemplation and social action.” — Values and Visions Reviews Service
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