Contemplation in a World of Action (Gethsemani Studies in Psychological and Religious Anthropology)
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Best for readers who...
Good fit if you want...
- You follow Thomas Merton’s monastic writings and Trappist perspective.
- You’re interested in spiritual practice, contemplative prayer, and religious anthropology.
Maybe skip if...
- You expect a practical self-help manual or step-by-step meditation course.
- You prefer contemporary pop spirituality rather than mid-20th-century monastic essays.
- You need the newest edition, freshest examples, or the most current framing.
Summary
In Contemplation in a World of Action, Thomas Merton collects essays exploring contemplative prayer, solitude, and the monk’s vocation as a corrective to activist culture, blending spiritual reflection with psychological and religious anthropology.
Edition on file: 1998 • Univ of Notre Dame Pr • 266 pages • ISBN 9780268008345.
Why this book now
Merton’s reflections on contemplative practice and ethical action feel urgent for readers balancing activism, mental health, and spiritual life today.
Reader guide
Quick signals that help you decide faster.
Reading commitment
Light Short sit-downs
At 266 pages of essays, expect a measured, reflective pace: several essays work best savored slowly over evenings or study sessions.
What stands out here
This University of Notre Dame Press edition collects Merton’s theological and anthropological essays, highlighting his voice within Gethsemani Studies and scholarly framing.
Best way to approach it
Read slowly with pauses for reflection: annotate passages on prayer and solitude, and revisit essays when applying Merton’s ideas to ethical action.
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The likely reading experience leans toward a reading experience that should show its character pretty quickly once you start. Net effect: a mid-length read that should balance momentum with detail. It also has the feel of a backlist title rather than a brand-new release.
Book overview built from edition details and related-book context.