The Springs of Contemplation: A Retreat at the Abbey of Gethsemani
Worth buying if: You follow Thomas Merton’s Trappist spirituality and Abbey of Gethsemani writings.
Skip it if: You want a fast-paced plot or contemporary self-help tactics instead of monastic meditation.
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780374128937. The Amazon link uses this ISBN, so the product page should open to the edition shown here.
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Summary
A collection of talks and reflections drawn from Merton’s time at the Abbey of Gethsemani, this 285-page volume blends monastic practice, spiritual discipline, and lyrical meditation on solitude, prayer, and contemplative life.
Why this book now
In an era of distraction, Merton’s Abbey of Gethsemani reflections provide a tested guide to reclaiming interior stillness and disciplined prayer.
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Best for readers who...
Good fit if you want...
- You follow Thomas Merton’s Trappist spirituality and Abbey of Gethsemani writings.
- You read contemplative nonfiction that teaches daily prayer and monastic practice.
- You want a fast-paced plot or contemporary self-help tactics instead of monastic meditation.
- You prefer strictly academic theology rather than personal spiritual reflections from Merton.
- You are specifically hunting for the newest framing rather than a backlist perspective.
Decided it fits?
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780374128937
Worth buying if: You follow Thomas Merton’s Trappist spirituality and Abbey of Gethsemani writings.
Skip it if: You want a fast-paced plot or contemporary self-help tactics instead of monastic meditation.
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.
Reader guide
Cues to help you decide faster.
Reading commitment
Light Short sit-downs
At 285 pages, expect steady, reflective reading—short chapters and talks suit nightly devotion or slow weekend retreat sessions focused on Gethsemani insights.
What stands out here
This Farrar Straus & Giroux edition gathers Merton’s retreat talks with attention to his Abbey of Gethsemani setting and practical notes on contemplative practice.
Best way to approach it
Read slowly with a notebook—pause between talks, re-read passages on prayer, and practice the exercises as brief daily retreats inspired by Gethsemani life.
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Exact edition: ISBN-13 9780374128937
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.