I found this video whilst searching on Youtube, and thought I would share it with you. Oddly enough, both Thomas Merton and Fr. Seraphim Rose both ended up sounding so different from what I thought they would sound like.
Hi Pedro, how are you friend? Hope you had a great New Year, and all is well with you. Like most figures, if we really go with a fine-toothed comb through their lives, we're going to find some failings. I always look at it this way - Merton was a little too "open" in his spirituality, Seraphim Rose was a little too "reactionary" or "closed". I try to avoid both extremes myself...
I soooo did not think his voice would sound like this. I pictured deeper and commanding like a Fr. Corapi type of voice. This was so interesting...I may have to do a little more research.
Could you please link to a current email address. I sent you an email a few days ago to an address linked from your other blog but I have not received a reply or acknolwedgement of the mail. From reading your blog, I cannot imagine you would be the type of individual to not acknowledge a mail that contained words of praise and encouragement to you as a Brother in Christ even from a stranger (regardless of the rest of the content, which may have have interested you), so I am betting that the address I used was out of date and you did not receive it. I would like to forward it to a current email address.
Hi "L", Sorry about that - my email is thepumpkinpiper@hotmail.com, always has been. I bet it just went in to a junk folder because of the amount of spam messages I get sent, so my email probably didn't recognize it. What should I look for in the email heading or address so I'll know it when I see it??
Thank you for maintaining this hugely informative site. I come here virtually every day and consider it an important contributor to my spiritual formation.
Thankyou! It was an unexpected privilege to hear the voice of Merton, and his extemporaneous thinking. The lesson he taught he is worthwhile in its own right.
I read just last night that Thomas Merton, toward his later years, became inclined to East Asian spirituality. It seemed to warn the need to be cautious when considering the writings of Merton as they fell out of line with Church teaching.
Are you absolutely sure about this? I am not aware that any of his voluminous writings have been officially condemned or that the Church has issued any official caution with regards to his expressed opinions. I am also not too clear where the dividing line is with respect to "Eastern Religions". The practice of mantra meditation introduced by the Benedictine Monk John Main seems to have received the Church's blessing even though it clearly derives from a Hindu devotional practice.
Thomas Merton...I do not know, sometimes it seems to me that he was too loose about Catholic teaching.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I should say I do not know him much.
The blog Vivificat also discussed Merton:
http://vivificat1.blogspot.com.br/2013/01/trusting-thomas-merton.html
Thanks for the video.
Hi Pedro, how are you friend? Hope you had a great New Year, and all is well with you.
DeleteLike most figures, if we really go with a fine-toothed comb through their lives, we're going to find some failings. I always look at it this way - Merton was a little too "open" in his spirituality, Seraphim Rose was a little too "reactionary" or "closed". I try to avoid both extremes myself...
I soooo did not think his voice would sound like this. I pictured deeper and commanding like a Fr. Corapi type of voice. This was so interesting...I may have to do a little more research.
ReplyDeleteHey Theresa,
DeleteMe either! My wife said he sounded like a voice out of a Looney Tunes cartoon, haha.
J
Jason,
ReplyDeleteCould you please link to a current email address. I sent you an email a few days ago to an address linked from your other blog but I have not received a reply or acknolwedgement of the mail. From reading your blog, I cannot imagine you would be the type of individual to not acknowledge a mail that contained words of praise and encouragement to you as a Brother in Christ even from a stranger (regardless of the rest of the content, which may have have interested you), so I am betting that the address I used was out of date and you did not receive it. I would like to forward it to a current email address.
THanks,
L
Hi "L",
DeleteSorry about that - my email is thepumpkinpiper@hotmail.com, always has been. I bet it just went in to a junk folder because of the amount of spam messages I get sent, so my email probably didn't recognize it. What should I look for in the email heading or address so I'll know it when I see it??
And thanks in advance for your kindness,
Jason
Thank you for maintaining this hugely informative site. I come here virtually every day and consider it an important contributor to my spiritual formation.
ReplyDeleteMy humble thanks to you for taking the time to read it! I am honored that anyone does at all actually :)
DeleteYour servant in Christ,
Jason
Thankyou! It was an unexpected privilege to hear the voice of Merton, and his extemporaneous thinking. The lesson he taught he is worthwhile in its own right.
ReplyDeleteI read just last night that Thomas Merton, toward his later years, became inclined to East Asian spirituality. It seemed to warn the need to be cautious when considering the writings of Merton as they fell out of line with Church teaching.
ReplyDeleteAre you absolutely sure about this? I am not aware that any of his voluminous writings have been officially condemned or that the Church has issued any official caution with regards to his expressed opinions. I am also not too clear where the dividing line is with respect to "Eastern Religions". The practice of mantra meditation introduced by the Benedictine Monk John Main seems to have received the Church's blessing even though it clearly derives from a Hindu devotional practice.
ReplyDelete