Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1966 January 26 (Creation)
Extent
2 page(s); Typed signed letter with holograph (handwritten) annotations.
Name of creator
Biographical history
Living in Karachi, Pakistan, Abdul Aziz can be attributed with sparking Merton's first interest in Sufism, an interest later shared with his novices at Gethsemani. Beginning their correspondence in late 1960, Merton and Aziz would exchange books and ideas. Aziz was introduced to Merton's work through Louis Massignon, a mutual friend. An important insight from these letters is Merton's response to Aziz's request for a description of his prayer life.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
First lines: "As I read in the article about you in 'Laurels' that you saw the light of the day on 31st Jan. 1915,"... Contents index: happy 51st birthday / suggestions about diet and thoughts on Merton's austere diet / Islam and images of God - idolatry / Syed Idrees Shah / Al-Junayd / Ali Hassan Abdul Qadir and patriotic nationalism / Neo-Platonic influences on Sufism / Malik Barkat Ali / nature of good and evil in Chuang Tzu / Dr. John Wu.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Languages of the material
- English