Thomas Merton on Sufism

By: Thomas Merton

Narrated by: Thomas Merton

In the 20th century, Thomas Merton, one of Christianity's great mystics, encountered the ancient Eastern mystical tradition known as Sufism. The result was an outpouring of mystical insight and spiritual wisdom.

In these talks, you will discover what first electrified Merton. The Sufi mystics have given us one of the world's most-read poets, Rumi; the beautiful mystical dance of whirling dervishes; interreligious insight; and new forms of contemplation. A visionary who sought to synthesize the best of Eastern and Western spiritualities, Thomas Merton's profound interest in the Sufi mystics is more relevant today than ever.

Merton explores the contemplative wisdom of Sufism to enhance our Christian understanding of mysticism and spiritual practice. In one of his talks to the novices at Gethsemani, he said, "The Sufis are seeking to know God and have ways of seeking to know God, and this should have some success with us.... We should be closer to the Sufis."

In these talks you will watch the development of Merton's spirituality as he moved toward a greater understanding of interreligious dialogue. Merton believed that the Sufis had much to teach us about prayer, mysticism, and contemplation.

Merton will bring you to new and exciting places as he reflects on Sufism and the mystical life. What Merton taught in the mid-20th century is prophetic for spiritual seekers in the contemporary world.

Photograph of Thomas Merton by Sybille Akers. Used with permission of the Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University.

©2014 Now You Know Media Inc. (P)2014 Now You Know Media Inc.

connecting religions with a true Christian mystic

this book connects the dots between Islamic mysticism otherwise known as Sufism and the Christian mystic framework in the tradition of Saint Benedict. they're a wonderful comparables that are made throughout the book and this is a wonderful read for those that are secular, muslim, or Christian or none of the above. the book put you right in the center of a monastery where senior mom Thomas Merton is lecturing to novice monks about Sufism. they're wonderful quotes from Rumi and several other Sufi mystics that a line with the devotion to God that the monastery is trying to achieve.

I stand out lectures on the differences between tanzih and tashbih, the traditions of the unknowable god and the accessible god, respectively, and its relation to ancient text in the Christian tradition.

Thomas Merton is both funny and extremely wise, this is a must read especially if you're just a fan of Thomas Burton and how he lectures and thinks.

towards the end of the book Father Sciorra picks up where Martin left off in the afterwards. he discusses a book called the history of God and how it ties the idea together that the religions can begin to coexist through their mystic traditions, which is to say things sort of start to tie together in the mystic tradition since it's all about a devotion to a monotheistic God. it's clear Thomas Merton is trying to achieve this and doesn't quite well. this was a delightful read.

Thomas Merton Speaks

What a privilege to hear Merton speak on any subject! His views on Islam and Sufism are even more needed today. Thank Goodness he explored these ideas!

Merton is excellent, but recording is a classroom

Very much enjoyed the recording of the seminar. Some student responses aren’t heard so the message is lost on several instances.

The good- Thomas Merton discussing mysticism across other religions is priceless. A good introduction to Sufi thought

The bad- Assuming Merton is a product of his time; his views about “the Moslems” and “the Arabs” are caricatures that are not well received in our time. I never expected Merton to be racially insensitive, but it’s hard to overlook the several times he speaks with a condescending tone

Fascinating

I really enjoyed getting to know about Sufism!
Something I’ve always wanted to know about.
Merton is a new interest of mine and I have only read him so it’s kinda cool to hear his Humor in this, I also liked hearing Someone who is a Catholic show respect and admiration for the followers of another faith. The recording is rough but still worth a listen.

Are You Satisfied With God?

That is the question Thomas Merton answers in these lectures from 1967.

While Merton's topic is Sufism, he also presents a solution for all spiritual seekers regardless of religious beliefs.

These lectures, which are among the most dynamic Merton ever delivered, start with him boldly stating: “When you are satisfied with God, God is satisfied with you."

Then he adds: "I humbly submit that that is extremely simple."

He goes on to point out to the novice monks in his class that although simple it is very hard to do.

With his trademark good humor, he explains: “It’s perfectly easy to say I'm satisfied with you Oh Lord. Your will is what I want. Only just don’t let it rain at the end of this conference because I don’t want to get wet again."

Since we are not saints, most of us won't be able to live a life totally always satisfied with God's will for us and our world. We're likely to complain and even cuss -- "kick" in Merton's slang humor -- about how things work out for us.

For all of us complainers, Merton suggests a middle way:

"If you can be content just to be still only halfway with no assurance that tomorrow you’re going to be perfectly happy, you’ve made it. You’re already satisfied within the measure that you can be satisfied. If it’s possible for you to accept a kind of relative satisfaction, which is appropriate to your state at the moment and you’re content ... Let’s face it, most of us can just be content with the will of God provided we can kick a little bit. I can’t stop kicking completely. You can begin. Be content to start where you are.”

So you can start by listening to these lectures.

Not a good introduction to Sufism

I have loved Thomas Merton writing on Christianity, especially The Seven Storey Mountain. So I thought his take on Sufism would be kind and knowledgeable. It is a series of live lectures by Merton to monks. It is wonderful to hear him live. But his comments have numerous painful inaccuracies and misunderstandings, and, sadly, unkindnesses and oversimplifications. There are much better introductions to Sufism. Ones I have read are by Douglas-Klotz, Ernst, Vaughan-Lee, Ghazali, Helminski, and especially Rumi. Start with any of these.