Monday, May 4, 2009

Wonderful Insights from Thomas Merton


Each week I receive an e-mail from the Thomas Merton Institute for Contemplative Living with a short "insight" from the late, great Catholic spiritual leader whose name the institute bears.

Merton was a Cistercian (or Trappist) monk at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky from 1941 until his untimely death in 1968.

Merton gained an international reputation among Catholics, Protestants and persons of all religions for his deep insights in at least three key spiritual areas: contemplative prayer; inter-religious dialogue; and peacemaking.

In this week's insight Merton talks about his one and only experience driving. He was lent a jeep at the monastery and in just a short period of time managed to bang it up pretty badly. He was never allowed to drive again.

He talks about his driving failure with self-deprecating humor.

It's an important lesson to learn, especially for those of us who feel broken. Our circumstances may seem dark and even overwhelming, but seeing humor in our failings can be a balm.

Here's a link to this weekly insight.


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