Review 2025.02.005
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.
The Ascent to Truth by Thomas Merton
360 Pages
I am not sure where I got the idea but I thought this book was going to be a commentary on “The Ascent of Mount Carmel” by Saint John of the Cross. That is not what it was. He did reference Saint John of the Cross a lot, especially in the second half of the book but this book was about the need for the contemplative. I did not really need convincing. The need is indeed great.
This is the sixth book I’ve read by Thomas Merton. I’m not sure where I would rate this one in the list. I’d probably drop it in the top middle or spot number three. I did a macro-reading of the book but honestly I should go back and do a micro-reading. As an aside, micro-reading is still a skill I am developing and while I feel like I am stumbling towards success, I am still quite far from the finish line. I know that a slower methodical reading with note taking would help me process the book better.
All of his books have been filled with nuggets of wisdom that caused me to pause and think. I love those moments. Before the book even starts, he writes in the prologue “You cannot love Him unless you know Him. And you cannot come to know Him unless you have a little time and a little peace in which to pray and think about Him and study His truth. Time and peace are not easily come by in this civilization of ours.” This was written in the 1950s when the pace of life was much slower than it is now and yet time and peace were not easy to come by. How do we overcome this hectic pace?
It probably comes down to one thing, the love of God. Near the end of the book, the author says “But when the love of God gains possession of a man’s soul, it makes him want to know God, to know how to please God and to discover every possible way of serving Him and giving Him glory.” It is His love that transforms our lives and this world.
If you could not tell by the fact that I’ve read six books by Thomas Merton, I really love his writings. I already have another one of his books queued up to read. So I can highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in growing in their faith and prayer life. And I would recommend micro-reading the book to get the fullest value from it.