About the Book

Thomas Merton’s last book, The Inner Experience, provides a comprehensive understanding of contemplation that draws on the best of Western and Eastern traditions. Originally published as a series of articles in an academic journal, The Inner Experience was revised by Merton shortly before his untimely death. The book fuses Merton’s early work on Catholic monasticism, mysticism, and contemplation with his later writing on Eastern, especially Buddhist, traditions of meditation and spirituality.

Merton was still tinkering with this book when he died; it was the book he struggled with most during his career. However, the Merton Legacy Trust and experts determined that the book makes such a valuable contribution as his major comprehensive presentation of contemplation, they allowed its publication.

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was a Trappist monk, writer, and peace and civil rights activist. His works have had a profound impact on contemporary religious and philosophical thought. Merton is best known for his autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, and New Seeds of Contemplation, which this book complements.

William Shannon is professor emeritus, Nazareth College of Rochester, New York. He is the founding president of the International Thomas Merton Society, and was the general editor of the Thomas Merton Letters and the Thomas Merton Encyclopedia. He is author of the much acclaimed biography of Merton, Silent Lamp. He lives in Rochester, New York.

Merton speaks to us even now -- and freshly -- with these perceptive insights into the contemplative life.”

- Paul Wilkes, author of Beyond the Walls: Monastic Wisdom for Everyday Life

Critical Praise

“Merton speaks to us even now -- and freshly -- with these perceptive insights into the contemplative life.” — Paul Wilkes, author of Beyond the Walls: Monastic Wisdom for Everyday Life

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Product Details

• ISBN: 9780060593629
• ISBN 10: 0060593628
• Imprint: HarperOne
• On Sale: 05/25/2004
• Trimsize: 5.310 in (w) x 8.000 in (h) x 0.430 in (d)
• Pages: 192
• List Price: $15.99
• BISAC1 : RELIGION / Christianity / Catholic
• BISAC2 : RELIGION / Meditations
• BISAC3 : RELIGION / Spirituality