Thomas Merton (1915–1968) was a Trappist monk of the Abbey of Gethsemani, Kentucky, as well as a bestselling writer, poet, social activist, and student of comparative religion. This posthumously published book is a collection of prefaces that Merton wrote for international editions of his books, which often give insight as he looks back with the advantage of hindsight. Merton suggests that the major message in his books is that "the contemplative life applies wherever there is life."
Thomas Merton wrote more than 70 books, mostly on spirituality, as well as scores of essays and reviews. Merton was a keen proponent of interfaith understanding.
Interest in his work contributed to a rise in spiritual exploration beginning in the 1960s and 1970s in the US. Merton's letters and diaries, reveal the intensity with which their author focused on social justice issues, including the civil rights movement and proliferation of nuclear arms. He had prohibited their publication for 25 years after his death. Publication raised new interest in Merton's life.
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