contemplation is for everyone

28
according to Thomas Merton

Upload: marissa-myers

Post on 25-May-2015

402 views

Category:

Spiritual


2 download

DESCRIPTION

This is a guide to contemplation, inspired by the monk Thomas Merton. I created this introduction to the contemplative life, as a final project for a seminar on Thomas Merton, for people who have never read Merton (and maybe never will!)

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Contemplation is for everyone

according to Thomas Merton

Page 2: Contemplation is for everyone

Contemplation is for everyone, including you.

Page 3: Contemplation is for everyone

The beginning of contemplation is opening the eye of your heart

to be filled with a God who is alive.

Page 4: Contemplation is for everyone

You are rooted and grounded in love . . .

Page 5: Contemplation is for everyone

. . . but God’s Love-speech is so silent that you can only hear it when:

Page 6: Contemplation is for everyone

your heart is silent

Page 7: Contemplation is for everyone

and empty.

Page 8: Contemplation is for everyone

If you dare penetrate your own silence,

Page 9: Contemplation is for everyone

You will recover the union in your heart between your inmost self and God’s

spirit.

Page 10: Contemplation is for everyone

Commit to your deepest self: the image of God in your own soul.

Page 11: Contemplation is for everyone

Take responsibility for your inner life.

Page 12: Contemplation is for everyone

Why?

Page 13: Contemplation is for everyone

to see life in a different perspective.

Page 14: Contemplation is for everyone

to regain a clearer vision.

Page 15: Contemplation is for everyone

to appreciate Christian truth more sharply.

Page 16: Contemplation is for everyone

to give yourself to ministry on a new level.

Page 17: Contemplation is for everyone

to forget yourself so that your existence

becomes sacrificial and dedicated to others.

Page 18: Contemplation is for everyone

This is the social maturing of love.

Page 19: Contemplation is for everyone

How?

Page 20: Contemplation is for everyone

Renounce diversion – movement, activity, useless talk.

Withdraw from the babel of confusion.

Page 21: Contemplation is for everyone

Find God within you through the people who love you.

Page 22: Contemplation is for everyone

Be alone in silence.

Page 23: Contemplation is for everyone

Work your way through the darkness of your own mystery.

Page 24: Contemplation is for everyone

Be critical of yourself, first of all.

Page 25: Contemplation is for everyone

The obligation to be spiritually mature is difficult

Page 26: Contemplation is for everyone

and humbling.

Page 27: Contemplation is for everyone

Center on the love of God, and God’s will.

Page 28: Contemplation is for everyone

Risk sharing the solitude of your heart with someone else who seeks God

through you and with you.