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The Intimate Merton - Thomas Merton's Life from his Journals

Reviewed by Alun Brookfield.

I was delighted to be given this book to review, not because I am a connoisseur of Merton, but because I am not, but would like to be. I have tried to read some of his writings, but found them impenetrable to my particular form of intellectual wiring. I hoped to discover more of the man so that I could begin again to understand this giant of twentieth century contemplatives.

Merton was a compulsive writer from the age of 16 when he began to write his journals. “To write is to think and live - even to pray” he wrote in 1958. So he kept his journal as a way of pouring all his experiences of life into a book.

This present volume begins in 1939 at the age of 24 and ends just before his tragic death in Bangkok as a result of an electrical accident while pursuing his interest in Eastern contemplative practice. And it makes fascinating reading, for in these extracts from the journals, we hear the authentic and spontaneous voice of Thomas Merton as he reflects daily on what most of us would regard as trivial and transitory, but which for him (as perhaps they should be for us) are seen for what they are - things which either bring us closer to God or drive us further from him. Furthermore he sees them as things (such as making love for the first time) which have a permanent effect on him, for good or ill, and brings them to the foot of the cross for either celebration or absolution.

There are momentary reflections and observations, such as on the rejection by a publisher of a novel or on the size of his handwriting; and there are much more introspective searchings, including one in which he berates himself for being introspective and taking himself so seriously!

Sometimes he simply records his experiences of the world around him - the sights, sounds and smells. At others he reflects deeply on them and the effect they are having on him. He shares his delight at the paradox of finding that stopping in order to contemplate something is what actually enables one to make progress. There are little quotations from the writings or sayings of others. The final entry is a poignant reminder that this giant among modern spiritual writers died at the age of only 58. One cannot help but wonder where his writings and contemplatings would have led him had he lived another 20 years.

Certainly reading this book has inspired me to try again at reading his books. I feel I now have enough of a feeling for the man to begin to get a handle on his contemplative books. I have no doubt that reading this book will touch your heart as it has mine. It is a truly delightful insight into a remarkable human being.