An Invitation to the Contemplative Life
Worth buying if: You follow Thomas Merton's peaceful reflections on prayer and solitude.
Skip it if: You expect a theological textbook or exhaustive academic study of Merton.
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9781593250850. The Amazon link uses this ISBN, so the product page should open to the edition shown here.
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Summary
This 144-page pocket guide collects Merton's accessible reflections on contemplative prayer, the discipline of silence, and everyday spiritual attentiveness, written for lay readers seeking depth without monastic retreat.
Why this book now
In an age of constant distraction, Merton's clear guidance on silence and contemplative practice offers a timely antidote for Word Among Us Press readers craving spiritual depth.
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Best for readers who...
Good fit if you want...
- You follow Thomas Merton's peaceful reflections on prayer and solitude.
- You want a compact guide to contemplative practice for daily life.
- If you favor lyrical short chapters, the relationship develops slowly and realistically.
- You expect a theological textbook or exhaustive academic study of Merton.
- You prefer long memoirs or sprawling theological treatises over concise guidance.
Decided it fits?
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9781593250850
Worth buying if: You follow Thomas Merton's peaceful reflections on prayer and solitude.
Skip it if: You expect a theological textbook or exhaustive academic study of Merton.
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.
Reader guide
Cues to help you decide faster.
Reading commitment
Quick Easy to move through
At 144 pages, this is a short, meditative read—suitable for several slow sittings or brief daily passages over two to four weeks.
What stands out here
This Word Among Us Press edition emphasizes accessibility: compact pagination and Merton's direct practical counsel for contemporary lay contemplatives.
Best way to approach it
Read slowly and aloud if helpful; pause after each short reflection to try the suggested silence or prayer practice before moving on.
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Exact edition: ISBN-13 9781593250850
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.