Quotes from Thomas Merton

But in the actual experience of contemplation all other experiences are momentarily lost. They "die" to be born again on a higher level of life.

The integrity of an artist lifts a man above the level of the world without delivering him from it.

Thus, just about the time when I most needed it, I did acquire a little natural faith, and found many occasions of praying and lifting up my mind to God.

I who am without love cannot become love unless Love identifies me with Himself. But if He sends His own Love, Himself, to act and love in me and in all that I do, then I shall be transformed, I shall discover who I am and shall possess my true identity by losing myself in Him. And that is what is called sanctity.

But there is nothing to prevent a layman from taking just one Psalm a day, for instance in his night prayers, and reciting it thoughtfully, pausing to meditate on the lines which have the deepest meaning for him.

The beginning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image. If in loving them we do not love what they are, but only their potential likeness to ourselves, then we do not love them: we only love the reflection of ourselves we find in them.

Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy

They knew a good building would praise God better than a bad one, even if the bad one were covered all over with official symbols of praise.

For a Christian is one whom the world does not know.

I have come to think that care of the soul requires a high degree of resistance to the culture around us, simply because that culture is dedicated to values that have no concern for the soul.

He is most glorified by those in whom His mercy has produced the greatest love.

Go into the desert not to escape other men but in order to find them in God.