Audiobooks narrated by Thomas Merton

Thomas Merton on Chinese & Greek Philosophy

From the best-selling author of The Seven Storey Mountain, essential listening for Christians, Catholics, and all wisdom seekers. A leading Christian intellectual and a global citizen, Thomas Merton was known for his mission to understand and learn from other cultures’ worldviews and philosophies. Now, as you listen to these nine captivating talks on Chinese and Greek philosophy, your own interest in these ancient schools of thought, Eastern and Western, will be ignited. Merton delivered these erudite yet down-to-earth lectures to the novices at the Abbey of Gethsemani. Through these expertly remastered audio tracks, you can join his classroom, learning about Chinese and Greek philosophy both individually and in intersection. Merton addresses Greek tragedy and Chinese thought at length, as well as the Chinese symbol Chung and Chinese landscape painting. These lectures are part of the archive of nearly 1,000 talks that Merton gave at Gethsemani and throughout the world. Recorded during the last six years of his life, they capture Merton at the height of his wisdom. This course is part of the Learn25 collection.

Thomas Merton (Author), Thomas Merton (Narrator)

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Thomas Merton on Marxism: The Spiritual and Secular Worlds

From the best-selling author of The Seven Storey Mountain, profound listening for Christians, Catholics, and all wisdom seekers. Christian theology may not believe in Marxism, and Marxism may think that God is dead, but the two ideologies still have much to say to one another. Thomas Merton, one of the world’s greatest modern Christian intellectuals, was fascinated by the dialogue between Marxists and Christians. Now, by listening to these nine masterful talks, which Merton delivered to the novices at the Abbey of Gethsemani in 1965 and 1966, you can join in these conversations. Among the compelling issues Merton considers are the technological revolution; Hromadka, the Christian theologian who argued for dialogue between Christians and Marxists; Church decrees on Marxism, and Hegel’s criticism of the interiority that is central to faith. These expertly remastered lectures are part of the archive of nearly 1,000 talks that Merton gave at Gethsemani and throughout the world. Recorded during the last six years of his life, they capture Merton at the height of his wisdom. This course is part of the Learn25 collection.

Thomas Merton (Author), Thomas Merton (Narrator)

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Thomas Merton on Franz Kafka

What is the function of the contemplative in the modern world? This question lies at the root of Thomas Merton’s extended contemplation of Franz Kafka’s dystopian novel, The Castle. A hugely influential writer from the 20th century, Kafka (1883 - 1924) was a German-speaking Jew born in Prague. His fiction - especially his 1915 novella The Metamorphosis, in which the protagonist finds himself transformed into an insect - is so well known for its absurd and existential themes that the style has become synonymous with his name: Kafkaesque. Now, you have the rare opportunity to hear Merton - the English professor-turned-monk and a literary genius in his own right - discuss The Castle as a metaphor for the monastic life. Originally recorded in 1967 and newly remastered to enhance your listening experience, this audio set collects four talks on Kafka that Merton delivered during the month of June. Ranging from essayistic reflections on The Castle to more off-the-cuff discussions of Albert Camus’s The Plague, these archival recordings are a mixture of spoken journal entries and other trains of thought. Each talk invites you into Merton’s close confidence. You will also hear Merton develop fascinating arguments around Brian Wicker’s 1966 “Secular Christianity”, Interreligious dialogue and monastic reform, The idea of being “imprisoned”, Virginity, Existentialism with respect to faith, and Kafka’s rejection of Jewish law Bookworms and fans of Merton alike will find that Merton can zap the stalest subjects into the most erudite discourses. Hear one great literary mind on another.

Thomas Merton (Author), Thomas Merton (Narrator)

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Thomas Merton on Augustine, Jerome, and Ambrose: The Philosophy of the Great Latin Fathers

Renew your faith as you learn about the founding fathers of Christian theology with Thomas Merton. Three men laid the groundwork for Christianity’s philosophy, theology, and learning. Seventeen centuries later, a spiritual visionary taught gripping classes on these Church Fathers. Why study the foundational texts of Christian thought? Merton prefaces his talks by answering this question. The foundational texts form the basis of the contemplative and learned life. The same holds true for anyone who wants to seriously explore the big questions of meaning, purpose, and values. You will begin with an introduction to the foremost philosopher of Christian antiquity—Saint Augustine—and his classic On Christian Doctrine. Parsing Augustine’s profound theology into accessible talks, Merton shows you his core ideas. Before taking a deeper dive into Augustine, you will turn to the mystical humanism of Saint Ambrose. Next, you will examine St. Jerome’s letters, which rank among the most important Christian texts. As entertaining as he is knowledgeable, Merton connects with students through humorous anecdotes. His passionate teaching will both inform you and instill passion for deep learning.

Thomas Merton (Author), Thomas Merton (Narrator)

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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), Thomas Merton (Narrator)

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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), Thomas Merton (Narrator)

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Thomas Merton on the Search for Wholeness

Study a premier Jewish writer of the 20th century with one of the century's most important Catholic authors. This digitally remastered recording is part of Thomas Merton's spoken word legacy, and it presents his voice at its most spiritually edifying. Originally recorded in February of 1968 at the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, Thomas Merton on The Mystical Life and Martin Buber unpacks Buber's resonant Hasidic tales one at a time in a discussion-heavy class setting. Inviting his audience to compare Buber with St. Bernard, Merton sets the stage to draw compelling connections between different faith traditions. This talk was delivered to Merton's fellow monks in the last year of his life, when the mystic was at the peak of his intellectual and spiritual powers. Learn25-through our exclusive partnership with the Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center-is proud to offer a wide selection of archival recordings of Thomas Merton: a Trappist monk, great 20th-century mystic, and beloved author of the 1948 autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain. This talk is one in a series of carefully curated and remastered archival recordings of Thomas Merton-available exclusively from Learn25. ©2020 Learn25 (P)2020 Learn25 Inc. This set is part of the Learn25 collection.

Thomas Merton (Author), Thomas Merton (Narrator)

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Thomas Merton on the Mystical Life and Martin Buber

Join Thomas Merton in exploring life's great questions. In this audio program, Merton will challenge you with questions about man's individual destiny, the human condition, prayer, and the nature of time. Originally delivered in 1965, these timeless lectures have been remastered and released as a set for your enjoyment. Delivered with wit and profound insight, these recordings will transport you into the abbey where Merton taught and imparted his spiritual wisdom. In the first part, you will look at Greek tragedy and Chinese philosophy, both or which rose to prominence in the fifth and sixth centuries BC. The wisdom in Greek tragedy and Chinese thought is linked to that of the Scriptures, and in them we discover similar developments of thought. We see man acquiring a sense of identity and destiny as he comes to terms with freedom and responsibility. In the second half, you will look at the concept of time and how it relates to prayer. The monastic life that Merton lived was one of constant prayer, in which time is experienced differently. Merton looks at such great literary works as Marcel Proust's In Search of Lost Time and William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury to explore the concept of time in our lives. Journey with Thomas Merton with these erudite and essential lectures today. Photograph of Thomas Merton by Sibylle Akers. Used with permission of the Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University. This course is part of the Learn25 collection.

Thomas Merton (Author), Thomas Merton (Narrator)

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The Christian Life Today

This set of captivating talks brings you face to face with an intimate side of Thomas Merton—the monk, poet, scholar of literature, and social activist who rocked the 20th century. As with so many of the talks that Merton gave to his novice monks at the Abbey of Gethsemani, these talks put the progression of his thinking—from cloistered monastic life to issues of social justice and interreligious understanding—on view. Throughout Living Contemplatively in the Modern World, Merton stresses the spiritual necessity of transcending cultural differences. Other topics of interest include: The concept of spiritual poverty; Cultural ideas of poverty; Otherworldliness; and The contemplative life (as distinct from the religious life). Join Merton’s original audience 50 years into the future and be moved by his vision of active faith. This set includes an afterword by Anthony Ciorra.

Thomas Merton (Author), Thomas Merton (Narrator)

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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, TS 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. 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), Thomas Merton (Narrator)

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Thomas Merton on Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

As Christians, we are all called to be pilgrims, navigating the way to God. For many, this pilgrimage is figurative – a spiritual journey that deepens our awareness. Some, however, choose to undertake physical journeys to the lands most sacred to our tradition. Now, you can join Thomas Merton in learning about one such fascinating journey and the spiritual significance that pilgrimage has for all of us. In these three talks, originally delivered to novice monks at the Abbey of Gethsemani in 1964, Merton follows Aetheria, a fourth-century pilgrim. Also known as Egeria, she embarked on an epic pilgrimage through the Holy Land, as documented in her text, Itinerarium Egeriae. Merton also provides fascinating tangents about two contemporary theologians: Karl Jaspers and Rudolf Bultmann. Aetheria's vocation was to see the places where our faith originated. To accomplish that, she left behind her comfortable existence and undertook an often perilous journey. She crossed raging rivers, climbed cragged mountains, and traveled deep into the desert. Wherever she went, she brought her Bible and read passages corresponding to each site. With his trademark wit and wisdom, Merton explores the historical, literary, and spiritual importance of Aetheria’s pilgrimage. As you listen to Merton, you will broaden your understanding of the so-called “Fifth Gospel”: the Holy Land. This audio series is thus a unique opportunity to explore the Holy Land with one of the great spiritual masters of our time. Begin this pilgrimage today. This set includes an afterword by Fr. Anthony Ciorra. Photograph of Thomas Merton by John Howard Griffin. Used with permission of the Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University.

Thomas Merton (Author), Thomas Merton (Narrator)

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Thomas Merton on the Contemplative Way

From the best-selling author of The Seven Storey Mountain and New Seeds of Contemplation, essential listening for all spiritual seekers. Recorded almost 20 years after The Seven Storey Mountain was published, these talks showcase a mystic at the height of his wisdom. In these moving talks, Merton tackles such topics as renewal, prayer, and affirming God. The contemplative life is not limited to those in solitude. Indeed, you will discover how we are all called to live contemplatively. This series is one of Merton's great masterpieces. Contemplation was perhaps the issue closest to Merton's heart, and he tackles it here with profound insights. You will be enrapt as you listen to Merton deliver these talks with his trademark eloquence and erudition. While you listen to Merton, you will see him wrestle with the complexities of contemplation. As Merton says, he left the world for the cloistered walls of the monastery to become an explorer of the "rocky land of the soul." At the heart of these lectures lie a sense of hope and an abiding awareness of God's presence in the world. Let Thomas Merton speak to your soul today. This course is part of the Learn25 collection.

Thomas Merton (Author), Thomas Merton (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Thomas Merton