by Elmor van Staden submitted in accordance with the requirements

169 Pages·2016·1.34 MB·English

by  Hitachi Data Systems

Journey Within: The Spirituality of Thomas Merton (1915-1968)

by
Elmor van Staden

submitted in accordance with the requirements
for the degree of

MASTER OF ARTS

in the subject:

SPIRITUALITY

at the

UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE

Supervisor: Professor Celia E.T Kourie

January 2016
PREFACE

To the question of how I came to discover Thomas Merton, I have no straightforward answer.
I do believe that, for me, the journey that eventually led to the writing of this thesis started in
early childhood. I was raised in a loving Christian home, in the context of a rather
conservative Afrikaans culture and school system, and regularly attended Sunday services at
the local Dutch Reformed church with my family. This laid the foundation for my subsequent
studies in the humanities (people management and psychology) at undergraduate level, which
culminated in the completion of an Honours degree in Biblical Archaeology. My passion for
reading works on spirituality grew from that point onwards; and it was during such reading
that I came across Thomas Merton. In a way, I could almost say that I did not find Merton,
but that he found me.

Merton’s simple but profound writing on mysticism (contemplation) somehow resonated with
me. In reading his works, I discovered a new terminology, a new language, which I could use
in the endeavour to put words to my deep desire for inner wholeness, love for my fellow
human beings, and for union with the Divine. I came to realise that my imperfections, my
foolishness, my brokenness are all obstacles to this union that I long for. Thankfully, through
studying Merton, I also came to realise that it is these very imperfections, this foolishness and
brokenness – in other words, ‘my humanity’ – that God is completely in love with. I have
therefore come to discover how whole I am in my fragmented self. In Merton, I have found a
source of encouragement: an incentive to engage my whole being in my loving search for
God.

I have also discovered that the meaning of my life does not depend on how successful I am in
this endeavour, but that this meaning is reflected in the absolute irrelevance of the
contingencies of my efforts. Through Merton, I discovered a deep knowing that whether or
not I succeed, God is ‘right there’ – perfectly, invincibly and utterly given to me, with
complete abandon, as the intimate quality of my own inner journey.

This work, which turned out to be a journey in itself, would not have been possible without
the patience and support of a number of ‘fellow travelers’ who lovingly accompanied me on
the journey. It is to these individuals that I owe the completion of this dissertation:

ii
My deepest gratitude goes to my wife and partner in life, Carien, for her endless patience,
encouragement, and support. Carien, I love you more than words can describe.

A study of this magnitude can never be undertaken without some sacrifices. One such
sacrifice for me was the reduced time I had available to spend with my two lovely teenage
children, Marco and Elmarie. Thanks so much to you both for your patience and
understanding in allowing me the opportunity to fulfil this dream.

To my mother, Marie: Thank you, Mom, for listening so patiently and attentively during our
countless discussions. This afforded me an opportunity to reflect on my work, and
contributed in no small way to my own transformation and growth.

Dad (Koot), thank you for the example you set, and are setting, that life is ‘to be lived’.

I am also highly indebted to my supervisor, Professor Kourie, for the professional, yet caring
way in which she guided me through my studies. Celia, your friendship means a lot to me.

Last, but not least, I would like to acknowledge my editor, Alice, thank you for your
dedication and putting your heart into the editing of my work .

May the mystery of life continue to inspire us all and may our hearts continue to be
transformed by the love that guides us on our own individual journeys.

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DEDICATION

I dedicate this work to my brother, Leonard.
Having had the opportunity to have grown up together and sharing the bond we do is
probably what Merton had in mind when he spoke of grace.

iv
DECLARATION

I, Elmor van Staden,
declare that

Journey Within: The Spirituality of Thomas Merton (1915-1968)

is my own work
and that all sources that I have used or quoted
have been indicated and acknowledged by means of the reference.

SIGNED: _____________________

DATE: ____April 2016

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SUMMARY AND KEY TERMS

This research project investigates the relevance of the spirituality of the well-known twentieth
century Trappist monk, Thomas Merton (1915-1968), for a postmodern contemporary
society. The research follows a phenomenological approach. This investigation is done
especially in terms of his understanding of the inner journey which is, paradoxically, also the
journey to God. The study commences with a short biography of Merton, highlighting the key
events that shaped his life and that influenced his spirituality. Merton’s concept of the true
self versus the false self is then analysed in relation to spiritual growth, psycho-spiritual
development, or what Merton, towards the end of his life, referred to as ‘final integration’.
This is followed by an analysis of contemplation, a major element in Merton’s spirituality. It
includes an investigation of the relevance of contemplation for holiness, the world of
technology, inter-religious dialogue, passivism and non-violence. Merton’s prophetic wisdom
is also analysed especially in light of the value of contemplation within the work-place. The
study is concluded by drawing together the threads of the research and extrapolating the
major findings.

Key Terms
Thomas Merton; spirituality; psycho-spiritual development; spiritual/inner journey; true/false
self; contemplation; mysticism; interfaith dialogue.
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OPSOMMING EN SLEUTELTERME

Hierdie navorsingsprojek het ten doel om die relevansie van die bekende twintigste-eeuse
Trappiste monnik, Thomas Merton (1915-1968) se spiritualiteit vir die 21ste
eeuse postmoderne samelewing te ondersoek. ‘n Fenomenologiese benadering word
deurgaans gevolg. Die ondersoek fokus op die spirituele-/innerlike reis, wat, paradoksaal,
terselfdertyd ook die reis na God is. Die studie het ‘n bondige biografie van Merton as
vetrekpunt, met ‘n fokus op die hoofmomente van sy lewe veral in soverre as wat hulle sy
spiritualiteit gevorm het. Merton se begrippe van die ware versus die valse self word ontleed
in die konteks van spirituele groei, psigo-spirituele ontwikkeling, of soos Merton veral aan
die einde van sy lewe daarna verwys het, ‘finale integrasie‘. Kontemplasie, as een van die
hoofkomponente van Merton se spiritualiteit, word vervolgens ondersoek, en die relevansie
daarvan in terme van heiligheid, die wêreld van tegnologie, intergeloof-gesprekke, pasifisme
en nie-geweld word ontleed. Merton se profetiese wysheid word daarna ondersoek, veral in
die lig van die waarde van kontemplasie vir die werksplek. Die studie word afgesluit met ’n
ondersoek na die samehang van die onderskeie insigte en ‘n ekstrapolering van die
belangrikste bevindinge.

Sleutelterme
Thomas Merton; spiritualiteit; psigo-spirituele ontwikkeling; spirituele-/innerlike reis; ware-
/vals self; kontemplasie; mistiek/e en intergeloof-gesprekke.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE ......................................................................................................................... ii
DEDICATION .................................................................................................................. iv
DECLARATION ............................................................................................................... v
SUMMARY AND KEY TERMS ..................................................................................... vi
OPSOMMING EN SLEUTELTERME ........................................................................... vii
Chapter 1 ............................................................................................................................ 1
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Research problem ............................................................................................... 1
1.1.1 Raison d’être for the research ................................................................. 1
1.1.2 Stating the research problem ................................................................... 2
1.2 Aim of research .................................................................................................. 2
1.3 Demarcating the area of research ....................................................................... 3
1.4 Methodology and Theoretical Framework ......................................................... 4
1.4.1 Literature research .................................................................................. 4
1.5 Delineation of chapters ....................................................................................... 5
1.6 What is spirituality? ........................................................................................... 6
1.7 Mysticism: acme of spirituality .......................................................................... 8
1.8 Summary .......................................................................................................... 10
Chapter 2 ........................................................................................................................ 11
LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................. 11
2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 11
2.2 Review of literature on Merton ........................................................................ 12
2.2.1 Ace of Freedoms: Thomas Merton’s Christ (Kilcourse 1993) ............. 12
2.2.2 Thomas Merton and the Inclusive Imagination (Labrie 2001) ............. 14
2.2.3 Walking with Thomas Merton: Discovering His Poetry, Essays and
Journals (Waldron 2002) ...................................................................... 16
2.2.4 Thomas Merton: An Introduction (Shannon 2005) ............................... 19
2.2.5 Becoming Who You Are (Martin 2006) ................................................ 19
2.2.6 Signs of Peace: The Interfaith Letters of Thomas Merton (Apel 2006) 21
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2.2.7 The Limits of Thomas Merton’s Understanding of Buddhism (Keenan
2007)…… ............................................................................................. 22
2.2.8 Thomas Merton’s Contemplation: Rarefied Emblem of Being Human
and Living in Mystery (Crider 2008) .................................................... 25
2.2.9 Merton’s Dialogue with Zen: Pioneering or Passé? (Dadosky 2008) . 28
2.2.10 Thomas Merton: Twentieth-Century Wisdom for Twenty First-Century
Living (Dekar 2011) .............................................................................. 31
2.2.11 The Making of a Saint: A Psychological Study of the Life of Thomas
Merton (Bragan 2011) .......................................................................... 34
2.3. Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 38
Chapter 3 ........................................................................................................................ 39
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THOMAS MERTON ....................................................... 39
3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 39
3.2 Years before the monastery .............................................................................. 40
3.2.1 The early years ....................................................................................... 40
3.2.2 The European years ................................................................................ 41
3.2.3 The Columbia days ................................................................................. 43
3.2.4 Influences in his life ............................................................................... 43
3.2.5 Road to Gethsemani ............................................................................... 45
3.3 Years in the monastery ..................................................................................... 46
3.3.1 A new identity ....................................................................................... 46
3.3.2 Rigidity of daily schedule ..................................................................... 48
3.3.3 A deep desire for solitude ..................................................................... 50
3.3.4 Master of Novices: in service of humanity ........................................... 51
3.3.5 Merton and monastic renewal ............................................................... 52
3.3.6 Merton falls in love ............................................................................... 53
3.3.7 Relationship with other religions .......................................................... 54
3.3.8 Dialogue with the East .......................................................................... 55
3.3.9 Journey to the East ................................................................................ 57
3.3.10 Eastern influence on Merton and his spirituality .................................. 61
3.4 Choreography of Merton’s mind ......................................................................... 64
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3.5 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 68
Chapter 4 ........................................................................................................................ 71
UNDERSTANDING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ‘SELF’ .............................. 71
4.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 71
4.2 Spiritual development theories ......................................................................... 71
4.3 Merton’s concept of ‘self’ ................................................................................ 73
4.3.1 The ‘true’ self and the ‘false’ self .......................................................... 73
4.3.2 Psycho-spiritual (transpersonal) psychology ......................................... 82
4.3.3 The awakening of the inner self ............................................................. 83
4.3.4 Closing thoughts on the ‘false’ self ........................................................ 85
4.3.5 Closing thoughts on the ‘true’ self ......................................................... 87
4.4 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 88
Chapter 5 ........................................................................................................................ 90
MERTON AND CONTEMPLATION ......................................................................... 90
5.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 90
5.2 What is contemplation? .................................................................................... 92
5.2.1 Defining contemplation ........................................................................ 92
5.2.2 What contemplation is not .................................................................... 95
5.3 Contemplation: a process of listening .............................................................. 98
5.4 Types of contemplation .................................................................................. 103
5.5 Contemplation versus meditation ................................................................... 107
5.6 Dangers of contemplation .............................................................................. 109
5.7 Contemplation in the 21st century .................................................................. 111
5.8 Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 112
Chapter 6 ...................................................................................................................... 114
THE VALUE OF MERTON FOR TODAY: A MAP FOR LIFE’S JOURNEY ... 114
6.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 114
6.2 The search for the ‘true self’ .......................................................................... 115
6.3 Love thy neighbour ........................................................................................ 118
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