Few figures in the history of Christian mysticism loom larger than Thomas Merton and Saint John Cassian. Now, this series of remastered archival recordings makes 13 of Merton’s long-lost lectures on his forefather available to you.
Merton and “John the Ascetic” share a number of striking similarities despite the fact that they were separated by more than 15 centuries. Both Merton and Cassian are celebrated for their enduring contributions to us: their two groundbreaking spiritual works, and their efforts to harmonize Eastern and Western spirituality.
Credited with integrating Eastern monasticism into Western thought, Cassian’s writings (Institutes and Conferences) set forth the basic principles of the monastic life: unceasing prayer, charity, and asceticism. Especially compelling are his teachings about prayer and virtue—namely the “prayer of fire.”
This collection of Merton’s lectures on Cassian highlight the enduring relevance of the saint’s teachings to the rapidly changing world and the modern Church.
Through these recordings, you too will journey back in time to Merton’s monastic classroom, where you’ll have the opportunity to di
Few figures in the history of Christian mysticism loom larger than Thomas Merton and Saint John Cassian. Now, this series of remastered archival recordings makes 13 of Merton’s long-lost lectures on his forefather available to you.
Merton and “John the Ascetic” share a number of striking similarities despite the fact that they were separated by more than 15 centuries. Both Merton and Cassian are celebrated for their enduring contributions to us: their two groundbreaking spiritual works, and their efforts to harmonize Eastern and Western spirituality.
Credited with integrating Eastern monasticism into Western thought, Cassian’s writings (Institutes and Conferences) set forth the basic principles of the monastic life: unceasing prayer, charity, and asceticism. Especially compelling are his teachings about prayer and virtue—namely the “prayer of fire.”
This collection of Merton’s lectures on Cassian highlight the enduring relevance of the saint’s teachings to the rapidly changing world and the modern Church.
Through these recordings, you too will journey back in time to Merton’s monastic classroom, where you’ll have the opportunity to discover the vitality of Cassian’s philosophy. An inimitable speaker, Merton breathes new life into these ancient texts, weaving traditional methods of prayer into the fabric of modern reality.
Discover for yourself why Cassian’s mysticism is cherished in the monastic tradition and the wider Christian community.
This set includes an afterword by Fr. Anthony Ciorra.
***“Photograph of Thomas Merton by Sibylle Akers. Used with Permission of the Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University. These recordings are from the archives of the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk and bestselling author of such beloved works as The Seven Storey Mountain and New Seeds of Contemplation. One of the 20th century’s great mystics, Merton was also a masterful teacher who delivered powerful conferences to the novice monks at the Abbey of Gethsemani. In these conferences, Merton’s thinking moved from cloistered monastic life to issues of social justice and interreligious understanding. A spiritual sage and guide for countless men and women, Merton struggled with complex questions about God’s existence and the role of organized religion.
Those who knew him also experienced his gifts as a homilist and teacher. These special, remastered recordings are part of his spoken word legacy. They are actual recordings of Thomas Merton. By agreement with The Thomas Merton Legacy Trust, Now You Know Media has the sole right to record, master, re-master, duplicate, market, and disseminate copies of “The Merton Recordings,” which are a selection of the archives housed in the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky.
Desires of the Flesh and the Spirit (4/28/1962)
The Life of Prayer (5/14/1962)
Virtues and Distractions in Prayer, Part I (5/19/1962)
Virtues and Distractions in Prayer, Part II (5/26/1962)
Four Kinds of Prayer, Part I (6/2/1962)
Four Kinds of Prayer, Part II (6/9/1962)
The Our Father, Part I (6/16/1962)
The Our Father, Part II (6/23/1962)
The Our Father, Part III (7/7/1962)
The Our Father, Part IV (7/14/62)
Prayer of Fire, Part I (7/21/1962)
Prayer of Fire, Part II (7/28/1962)
Frequent and Constant Prayer (8/4/1962)
Afterword by Fr. Anthony Ciorra, Ph.D.
3 reviews for Ways of Prayer: Thomas Merton on a Desert Father’s Wisdom
Rated 5 out of 5
Rev. Garry –
A Godsend!
Thomas Merton’s words were a Godsend to me. I feel like I have met him and been on retreat with him!
Rated 5 out of 5
Marcy –
Merton makes Cassian very understandable!
Merton makes Cassian very understandable. He is very down to earth and has a great sense of humor.
Rated 5 out of 5
Dcn Charlie –
The Merton conferences are exceptional!
The Merton conferences are exceptional. Listening to his teaching, in his words and voice, is invaluable.
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Rev. Garry –
A Godsend!
Thomas Merton’s words were a Godsend to me. I feel like I have met him and been on retreat with him!
Marcy –
Merton makes Cassian very understandable!
Merton makes Cassian very understandable. He is very down to earth and has a great sense of humor.
Dcn Charlie –
The Merton conferences are exceptional!
The Merton conferences are exceptional. Listening to his teaching, in his words and voice, is invaluable.