Review 2025.03.002
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.
New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton
297 Pages
This was one of my favorite books of 2024. As this was my second time through, I did a micro-reading. I found myself caught in some of the same thought patterns from some of the highlights during the first reading. But I also found myself unable to grasp why I had highlighted other passages. I know we all grow but the readings were not that far apart so it surprised me a little that I could not remember why I highlighted them. Of course, I also highlighted new passages that I thought I should have highlighted the first time. I guess that means that the micro-reading was a great success.
I realize that contemplation is not something that I can learn. It is a gift from God. If only it was something that could be taught, then I would read this book dozens of times in a sad attempt to learn it. From the very beginning of the book, we learn that we must in a sense die to enter the realm of contemplation.
To enter into the realm of contemplation one must in a certain sense die: but this death is in fact the entrance into a higher life. It is a death for the sake of life, which leaves behind all that we can know or treasure as life, as thought, as experience, as joy, as being.
This idea is right there at the tip of my fingers. I am grasping at a thought I want to embody. But if it is true that “We become contemplatives when God discovers Himself in us.” then I must wait for God to bring me to this death and the entrance to the higher life. So I wait.
The man who is not afraid to abandon all his spiritual progress into the hands of God, to put prayer, virtue, merit, grace, and all gifts in the keeping of Him from Whom they all must come, will quickly be led to peace in union with Him. His peace will be all the sweeter because it will be free of every care.
Honestly if you are interested in Christian mysticism and contemplation, this book is a must read. And I believe it needs to be read several times so that the wisdom begins to take root. Twice is not enough.