Audiobooks narrated by Michael W. Higgins

Thomas Merton on Literature: John Milton, T. S. Eliot, and Edwin Muir

"New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Storey Mountain and New Seeds of Contemplation invites you to explore great literature. How can poetry help us understand the world? Thomas Merton’s life and works are the stuff of legend. A modern-day Augustine, he left behind his life as a worldly intellectual to join a Trappist monastery. There, he made a name for himself as a best-selling spiritual writer and social activist. This set of six talks reveals a lesser-known side of Thomas Merton: an eminent critic and teacher of literature. His dual identity as a monk and literati make him the premier guide to poetic expression. As you listen along, you will enjoy moments of penetrating insight and reflection as often as moments of levity and laughter. At the center of the talks lies the concept of classical literature: prose and poetry in the tradition of writers like Virgil and Homer. In particular, you will look at the classical consciousness of 20th-century poets T. S. Eliot and Edwin Muir. An all-around literary genius and prolific poet in his own right, Merton reaches the height of his passion and wisdom when he speaks about John Milton in the second half of the series. By tying together an array of writers—from a budding rock star to an epic English poet—you will journey to the heart of the poetic imagination. This course is part of the Learn25 Collection."

Thomas Merton (Author), Michael W. Higgins, Thomas Merton (Narrator)

Audiobook

Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen: Spiritual Guides for the 21st Century

"The fact is, both Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen have been profiled in great depth. What more can you expect to learn by studying them side-by-side? This series answers that question without hesitation: much more. Masterfully crafted by their biographer, Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen: Spiritual Guides for the 21st Century folds Dr. Michael W. Higgins’ (Ph.D., York University) years of dedicated research, writing, and teaching into a single, spiritually edifying series. In 12 scholarly lectures, you will take turns examining Thomas Merton’s and Henri Nouwen’s life and legacy. Fluent in each, Dr. Higgins effortlessly navigates intricate philosophy and devastating self-honesty—hallmarks of both men—bringing you to the heart of Merton’s and Nouwen’s fascinating idiosyncrasies and their unique articulations of spirituality for our contemporary secular culture. Whether this is your first introduction to spiritual masters Thomas Merton (1915-1968) and Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) or the culmination of your separate interest in each, the information, insight, experience, and sheer level of enthusiasm that Dr. Higgins brings to the table makes this particular discussion of Merton and Nouwen—jointly—extremely distinctive if not outright unique. By gleaning the holiness of Nouwen and Merton (especially in their diaries), Dr. Higgins ushers you into the hallowed landscape so exquisitely mapped by these two twentieth-century pioneers. As a person of faith, you will find the unity and meaning you crave in their brave examples. This course is part of the Learn25 Collection."

Michael W. Higgins (Author), Michael W. Higgins (Narrator)

Audiobook

Thomas Merton on William Faulkner

"William Faulkner was undoubtedly one of the greatest American writers. Now, you can take Thomas Merton as your personal guide in discovering the literary and spiritual genius of Faulkner’s works. Awarded both the Nobel and Pulitzer Prizes, William Cuthbert Faulkner (1897–1962) was a multi-talented writer who wrote such beloved classics as The Sound and the Fury and As I Lay Dying. In this series, you will join renowned mystic and writer Thomas Merton on an extraordinary course on Faulkner and classicism in literature. An English professor before becoming a monk, Merton continued to teach literature courses to the monks at the Abbey of Gethsemani. These lectures were originally recorded by Merton in the 1960s and are remastered to enhance your listening experience. First, you will look at the concept of the classical in literature by exploring the poetry of John Milton and T.S. Eliot before looking specifically at Faulkner’s works. Merton demonstrates that Faulkner is a mythological rather than sociological writer; he uses the particular setting of the American South to tell stories of universal significance. His works embody the great classic truths of literature: love, honor, pride, compassion, and sacrifice. Under Merton’s guidance, you will see how Faulkner was a sapiential, or visionary, writer. Merton will also guide you through the deeper spiritual undercurrent of Faulkner’s writings, which illustrate the biblical themes of redemption, the fall, and the resurrection. Join Thomas Merton today with this brilliant course on Faulkner. This course is part of the Learn25 collection."

Thomas Merton (Author), Michael W. Higgins, Thomas Merton (Narrator)

Audiobook

Thomas Merton on Poetry

"'Literature, drama, poetry, make certain statements about [human] acts that can be made in no other way. ' - Thomas Merton Take Thomas Merton as your personal poetry professor. You know Thomas Merton as one of the most beloved voices of the 20th century: a profound mystic, a gifted writer, and an exceptional teacher. He was also a celebrated poet and lifelong lover of literature, and these lectures showcase his extraordinary insights into poetry. Whatever your level of familiarity with poetry, hearing Merton in his own voice will invigorate your imagination. In this captivating set, Merton explores how poetry illuminates such topics as love, suffering, spirituality, and nature. Under his guidance, you will look at poets like William Blake, Gerard Manley Hopkins, WH Auden, T.S. Eliot, Emily Dickinson, Ezra Pound, Charles Peguy, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Both thoroughly in touch with contemporary society and unafraid to critique it from a Christian lens, Merton provides a unique perspective on classic literature. These lectures transport you into Thomas Merton''s classroom. As you will discover, Merton saw poetry not only as one of the most profound modes of human expression but also as a way to encounter Jesus. A brilliant author himself, Thomas Merton possessed an unparalleled appreciation for these poets'' work. Let the words of this masterful poet enlighten you today. This course is part of the Learn25 Collection. *Photograph of Thomas Merton by Sibylle Akers. Used with permission of the Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University. These recordings are from the archives of the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky."

Thomas Merton (Author), Michael W. Higgins, Thomas Merton (Narrator)

Audiobook

From Augustine to Chesterton and Beyond: Great Spiritual Autobiographies

"What would it be like to listen to great figures of our faith discuss their struggles, life lessons, and spiritual insights? A number of remarkable Christians have bequeathed to us their autobiographies. Now, you can access their words and understand the contexts in which they lived with a master scholar and teacher as your guide. In this course, you will explore fourteen inspiring writers who have revealed their spiritual yearnings and encounters with the transcendent. As you do so, you will find new intimacy with each writer, fresh perspectives, and horizons for discovery. Starting with the Confessions of St. Augustine, you will move chronologically through the classics of the Christian tradition and modern spiritual masterpieces. You will explore Ignatius of Loyola and Teresa of Ávila, whose mystical autobiographies laid the foundations for their respective religious orders. Then, you will look at the moving spiritual relationship between Blaise Pascal and his sister Jacqueline, the intellectual vivacity of John Henry Newman, and the “Little Way” of Thérèse of Lisieux. As you move into the twentieth century, you will encounter lay Catholic philosophers Jacques and Raïssa Maritain, beloved writer G.K. Chesterton, and the anguished genius of Simone Weil. Finally, you will look at two men executed in Nazi Germany: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Alfred Delp, S.J. Join Dr. Higgins on this literary, spiritual, and altogether unforgettable odyssey today. This course is part of the Learn25 collection and includes a free PDF study guide."

Michael W. Higgins (Author), Michael W. Higgins (Narrator)

Audiobook

Thomas Merton, The Seven Storey Mountain, and the Rest of the Story

"Presented by acclaimed biographer Prof. Michael W. Higgins, Ph.D., this course explores the life and literary genius of Thomas Merton. When Thomas Merton published The Seven Storey Mountain in 1948, no one could have expected it to become an international sensation. An autobiography of his conversion to Catholicism, it became a wildly popular bestseller, propelling this humble Trappist monk to literary fame. Today, it is widely regarded as a spiritual classic. While it remains his most famous work, The Seven Storey Mountain is only the tip of the iceberg in Merton’s rich, multi-layered oeuvre. In Thomas Merton, The Seven Storey Mountain, and the Rest of the Story, you will join award-winning professor and speaker Michael W. Higgins in exploring Merton’s compelling autobiographical literature. As you examine his journals, letters, novels, and poetry, you will encounter a brilliant portrait of the premier Catholic spiritual figure of the twentieth century. Although The Seven Storey Mountain cemented Thomas Merton as a prominent writer, he also felt that it presented a limited portrait of him. Indeed, his later autobiographical works, such as Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander and The Asian Journal, show a more mature and fully realized vision. The Seven Storey Mountain would establish many of Merton’s most powerful themes—his later works brought these themes to their apex. In this course, you will examine the writings of this modern and post-modern chronicler of the soul’s unfolding. Encounter Thomas Merton—the man, monk, and mystic—today. This course is part of the Learn25 collection and includes a free PDF study guide."

Michael W. Higgins (Author), Michael W. Higgins (Narrator)

Audiobook

Henri Nouwen: A Spirituality for the Wounded

"Experience Henri Nouwen''s fullness of life spirituality with this new course presented by his official biographer. Henri Nouwen (1932–1996) was one of the most popular and influential spiritual thinkers of the twentieth century. Born in the Netherlands, Nouwen was ordained as a Catholic priest and trained as a psychologist. He spent much of his life in America, where he ministered and taught throughout the continent. His profound spiritual works, such as The Return of the Prodigal Son and Life of the Beloved, develop such compelling concepts as the restless searching of the heart and the agony of being human. This course is presented by Dr. Michael W. Higgins, the co-author of Genius Born of Anguish: The Life and Legacy of Henri Nouwen. Through 12 masterful lectures, you will examine the context of Nouwen’s most important works, the evolution of his ideas, and the struggles of his spirit. You will also explore his life, which will help you understand the autobiographical nature of his works. Nouwen was a great teacher, and over the course of his life, he was a popular professor at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard. He was also an innovative psychologist who understood the deep connection between spirituality and psychology. Henri Nouwen developed a spirituality for the wounded, but within it he also presents us with genuine joy, boundless energy, and ultimately hope. You are invited to meet and come to know Nouwen through this powerful course. This course is part of the Learn25 collection and includes a free PDF study guide. *Photo of Henri Nouwen by Frank Hamilton."

Michael W. Higgins (Author), Michael W. Higgins (Narrator)

Audiobook

Thomas Merton on James Joyce

"New York Times bestselling author and monk Thomas Merton explores the literature and spirituality of 20th century’s greatest novelist: James Joyce. Born in 1882 to a Catholic family in Dublin, James Joyce wrote some of the most acclaimed masterpieces of modern literature: Ulysses, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Dubliners, and Finnegans Wake. Educated by Jesuits and deeply influenced by Thomas Aquinas, Joyce wove Catholicism into his works. Delivered in 1968, these four lectures on Joyce’s writing are now available to the public for the first time ever. This one-of-a-kind set includes an introduction by Dr. Michael Higgins, a renowned Merton biographer and scholar of literature and religion. Before becoming a Trappist monk, Thomas Merton studied English at Columbia and taught literature at St. Bonaventure University. Merton understood the essential relationship between literature and theology; indeed, God has chosen to reveal himself to us through literature. In these lectures Merton focuses on Joyce''s short story collection Dubliners. You will look at the timeless story 'The Dead' and how it embodies Joyce''s concept of aesthetics and the epiphany. Then, as you listen to Merton read the classic 'Araby,' you will hear Joyce’s voice truly come alive. This course is ideal both as an introduction to Joyce and as an exciting work of scholarship by one great author on another. This course is part of the Learn25 Collection. *Photograph of Thomas Merton by Sibylle Akers. Used with permission of the Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University."

Thomas Merton (Author), Michael W. Higgins, Thomas Merton (Narrator)

Audiobook

Thomas Merton on the Poetry and Letters of Rainer Maria Rilke

"Join Thomas Merton in exploring the timeless words of one of the world's greatest poets, Rainer Maria Rilke. Before entering the monastery, Thomas Merton studied English at Columbia University and taught literature at St. Bonaventure University. His passion for literature never faded, and now you have the rare opportunity to take Thomas Merton as your guide in this set of his outstanding, remastered talks. Delivered to the community at the Abbey of Gethsemani in 1965 and 1966, Merton's talks examine one of his favorite poets: Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926). Aside from William Blake, perhaps no poet had as great an influence on Merton as Rilke, who was arguably the greatest poet from turn-of-the century Europe. Born to a devout Catholic mother in nineteenth-century Bohemia, Rilke is cherished for his beautiful verse and his multifaceted views on faith. Deeply influenced by the spiritual figures of his time, Rilke sought to explore God through the imaginative possibilities of art. A renowned (and prolific) poet himself, Merton saw poetry as one of the most fundamental and profound modes of human expression. By exploring the works of Rilke, Merton marries his Catholic spirituality with his passion for poetry, showing how they complement and shed light on each other. By looking at such works as Duino Elegies, The Book of Hours, and Letters to a Young Poet, you will discover how Rilke demonstrates holiness through imaginative possibilities. As you listen to Merton's voice, you will more fully appreciate the abiding power of poetry. This set includes an afterword by Thomas Merton biographer and literature professor Michael W. Higgins. This course is part of the Learn25 collection."

Thomas Merton (Author), Michael W. Higgins, Thomas Merton (Narrator)

Audiobook

Thomas Merton’s Great Sermons and Reflections

"Published in 1948, The Seven Storey Mountain made Thomas Merton a household name, but Merton’s spiritual autobiography is only the tip of the iceberg of his complex thought and contemplative wisdom. The rarely heard sermons and reflective talks in this set attest to the depths of Merton’s brilliance. Recorded by Merton at the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani near the end of his life, they reveal a different side of a multitalented and multifaceted monk whose prophetic vision remains as relevant today as ever. In Thomas Merton’s Great Sermons and Reflections, you’ll witness the evolution of Merton’s thought as he moved away from a narrow, cloistered mindset to an ecumenical and socially engaged outlook. This curated collection spans five years of his life and comprises four talks that showcase the themes close to Merton’s heart: the authentic Christian life, contemporary society, contemplation, Marxism, and the relationship of literature to religion. The first recording contains Merton’s sermon on the Feast of Immaculate Conception, delivered to the monastic community at Gethsemani in 1962. The second talk, “Passion and Prose on the Passion of Christ” (1965) introduces you to another lesser-known part of Merton’s legacy: the literature classes he taught to novice monks. The last two selections contain two complementary talks recorded on Trinity Sunday in 1967: a sermon that Merton preached at the abbey church, followed by his private reflections on the themes in that same sermon. Although different in content, context, and setting, these talks are united by their connection to the liturgy—its sacraments, seasons, and traditions—and their encapsulation of Merton’s kaleidoscopic thought. This set includes an afterword by Thomas Merton biographer Michael W. Higgins. This course is part of the Learn25 Collection."

Thomas Merton (Author), Michael W. Higgins, Thomas Merton (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Michael W. Higgins

Join Our Community