Review 2025.01.002
Reviewers Note: It is the beginning of 2025 and one of the skills I desire to grow in is that of writing book reviews (having never done this before). I am doing this so I can better hone my writing (and reading) skills as I seek to think more critically about the books I am reading. I am sharing on Goodreads for my own personal development. I know this will be something I am always growing in so if you actually read these, please be patient with me as I develop this skill. I will also receive constructive criticism if you desire to help me become a better writer (and reader). I plan to use this disclaimer for the entire 2025 year.
Contemplative Prayer by Thomas Merton
146 Pages
This book was written specifically for monks but as Thomas Merton says in the introduction a layman can benefit from reading it.
I have read this book twice so far. The first time I just read it normally (macro-reading). It was a very quick read given the size of the book. I knew I could get more out of it if I read it slowly and meticulously (micro-reading). I have only recently begun micro-reading books. So much so that this is only the second book I have read this way. I am still learning this style of reading but I have been able to pull more value out of both books this way.
My highlights for this book are shared on Goodreads (some highlights will not make sense without the notes written in my book). There were several passages that really gave me pause and I had to dwell on them for a bit. My favorite (at the moment of writing this) was “What am I? I am myself a word spoken by God. Can God speak a word that does not have any meaning?” I sat upon those words for quite some time because they really made me think. I even shared that with two close friends. All that to say, the book is full of thought provoking passages.
As I mentioned in my first book review, I love books that make me think. And I desire to grow in my prayer life so this was instructive as much as any book can be instructive in learning something that you cannot learn from a book (not exactly anyway).
I have read four other books by Thomas Merton.
- The Seven Storey Mountain
- No Man Is An Island
- New Seeds of Contemplation
- The Inner Experience
This book and New Seeds of Contemplation are my personal favorites at this point in time but all of them are good in some aspect which I will not expound upon here (I do not mind you contacting me for a discussion though).
I highly recommend Contemplative Prayer to people who have been growing in their prayer life and want to seek a deeper relationship with God. The contemplative prayer life is not for everyone so use this as a guide to see if it is something you desire but do not desire (for that you’ll have to read the book).