Showing 928 results

First lines: "This is not an adequate letter, but I do want to get some kind of reply into the mail for you, as"... Contents index: [Cold War Letter #19] the "retire" / von Hildebrand's «Transformation in Christ» and «Defense of Purity» / marriage and celibacy / books on monastic life and solitary life / Bouyer - «The Meaning of the Monastic Life» and «Introduction to Spirituality» / Jean Danielou / Gorres - «Hidden Face».

First lines: "This is not an adequate letter, but I do want to get some kind of reply into the mail for you, as"... Contents index: [Cold War Letter #19] the "retire" / von Hildebrand's «Transformation in Christ» and «Defense of Purity» / marriage and celibacy / books on monastic life and solitary life / Bouyer - «The Meaning of the Monastic Life» and «Introduction to Spirituality» / Jean Danielou / Gorres - «Hidden Face».

First lines: "About the "Message of Contemplatives" tape: it would probably be wiser and more discrete not to"... Contents index: "Message of Contemplatives" tape not to circulate one side / abbatial election / date for retreat - which communities should be invited.

First lines: "I have checked about the guesthouse facilities and it will be all right if some or all of the"... Contents index: retreat details / taping the retreat / Sr. Mary Luke Tobin at Loretto - an American observer at Vatican II and close to Cardinal Suenens.

First lines: "Here is the Bolshakoff ms and the preface with it. I understand that the whole thing is to be"... Contents index: suggestions about the revisions needed to publish the Bolshakoff manuscript / rumor that Herder is coming out with a book on Cassian.

First lines: "Well, I finally have an answer for you on the Peace Book. The book is finished all right, but I am"... Contents index: Merton not able to publish book because of controversial nature / circulating copies of sections to friends as letters (what would become known as the Cold War Letters).

First lines: "I am sorry to see how long it is since I got your letter and Dan's proofs. Did not think the weeks"... Contents index: description of poems to be published by Dan [Berrigan?] - priest dealing with questions in a world of "Dachau and Hiroshima, Selma and Saigon" / whereabouts of Dan [Berrigan?].

First lines: "Thanks so much for «Penny a Copy». Tom and Jim did a fine job of editing and I think it is a"... Contents index: Church in the twentieth century and the Catholic Worker / sentencing of Dan and Phil [Berrigan] for burning of draft records.

First lines: "I am happy to say a word to your fellow members of the Guild of St Paul in your parish: you leave"... Contents index: faith of converts vs. "cradle Catholics" / value of perspective of converts / changes in the Catholic Church / value of changing language to the vernacular / value of retention of Latin and Gregorian chant in monastic choir / avoiding "triumphalism" in our views.

First lines: "I am replying briefly to your letter so as to catch you there before you leave. There is no reason"... Contents index: Merton accepts role on Board of Epiphany Philosophers in the U.S. as long as no administration required / suggests W. H. Ferry - introduced Merton to "T to T" and with Bishop Pike in Santa Barbara / Cambridge / welcomes Bastin to come for a visit.

First lines: "Yesterday I had the very great pleasure of speaking at some length with Rabbi Abraham Heschel who"... Contents index: [1st draft] Jewish Chapter of the Second Vatican Council / need for healing between Christians and Jews to serve both faiths / the fear of alienation with Moslems countered with reinforcement of the status of all "people of the Book" in the «Koran» / promises to Abraham / Protestant ecumenism.

First lines: "From the way one of the girls at Seabury was talking of reviews it sounded as though the Plague"... Contents index: planning long article on Camus' «The Stranger» / "done with Camus for a while" / "girls in the publicity department [Seabury Press] seem to have had a good time with my hobbies" (see "Allman, Susan" file for a related article published in the «New York Post» about Merton's list of hobbies).

First lines: "Thanks very much indeed for your note and for the Silver Jubilee Gift. You take me back to the days"... Contents index: mail received after «Life» / reading and enjoying her husband's book / SNCC (Student Non-Violent Co-ordinating Committee - "snick") / direction of protests turning into violent revolution in places like France / Camus mentioned in husband's book / Merton sending his study of Camus on violence.

First lines: "Thanks very much indeed for your note and for the Silver Jubilee Gift. You take me back to the days"... Contents index: mail received after «Life» / reading and enjoying her husband's book / SNCC (Student Non-Violent Co-ordinating Committee - "snick") / direction of protests turning into violent revolution in places like France / Camus mentioned in husband's book / Merton sending his study of Camus on violence.

First lines: "Thanks for your nice letter. I will give you what help I can. First of all, I have read"... Contents index: read Hammarskjold's «Markings» "with great interest and sympathy" / "common interest in Meister Eckhart" / Johannes Tauler and John of the Cross / recommends «Conjectures, Seeds, New Seeds» / Merton's «Gandhi» - Hammarskjöld and Oriental thought / hasn't read recent biography on Hammarskjöld.

First lines: "We will be looking forward to your Advent in August, around the 10th. By all means bring some of"... Contents index: Berrigan coming around August 10th / Gordon Zahn's contribution to «Das Buch» / Karl Meyer / Merton's peace writings and the censors / Berrigan's new book and similarities with «The New Man» / T. E. Maher, Jr..

First lines: "Probably by now you are in the middle of your retreat with the Protestants at Mount Saviour. May"... Contents index: book by Merton's "favorite Jesuit", Matthew Ricci, and Christian apostolate / "John Heidbrink's Mennonite minister who has translated a German Catholic book about Zen Buddhism" / Karl Meyer / book on peace - censors forbid "Target Equals City" / peace anthology / Phil Berrigan's study of segregation in «Catholic Worker».

First lines: "Nearest airport Louisville. From there by bus to New Haven, Ky. From there by taxi. But maybe I"... Contents index: directions to Gethsemani / asks if Berrigan wants to give a talk to the sisters at Loretto.

First lines: "I will be over tomorrow after the High Mass, about 10.15. Could you give a first talk of about 1/2"... Contents index: speaking schedule for Daniel Berrigan at Gethsemani on August 13 / Tony Walsh from Labre House in Montreal giving a talk.

First lines: "Just got your blanks from the Goggenbuch Stipend House. I will write you up a litany of praises"... Contents index: Berrigan's recommendation of a grant for the Guggenheim / Vatican Council II - debate on sources of Revelation / Cuba - "just war" question and our own "fabricated illusion" of needing to "press the button" - John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev - blending of American and Soviet materialism / Dorothy Day / Bob Lax.

First lines: "Just got your blanks from the Goggenbuch Stipend House. I will write you up a litany of praises"... Contents index: [same as TLS[x] from 1962/11/27, but with parts scratched out in pen].

First lines: "Your letter from Budapest was wonderful. Got to me long after Christmas however and I did not write"... Contents index: response to Berrigan's doubts that the Church would send him as a delegate to Prague peace conference and Merton's struggles with censorship on peace / Hildegard and Jean Goss Mayr / John Heidbrink / conflict in Latin America - Vietnam / «Black Revolution» and essays on peace / Karl Rahner / Henry Miller in Mexico.

First lines: "Whitmonday. Time for abrief [sic] letter, perhaps uninspired. I am worn out (not really) from"... Contents index: book on Gandhi and piece on "Mercy" / Georgetown Strategy Center wants Merton's input but he can't / visit of Hibakusha of Hiroshima bombing / Polish tape arrived but not South African [Berrigan notes "Confiscated?"] / Jan Milic Lochman from Prague / Ivan Illich inviting Merton to Latin American conference / why Merton can't travel.

First lines: "One of the things that you can do for Latin America is get in touch with the poet Pablo Antonio"... Contents index: "Letter to Pablo Antonio Cuadra Concerning Giants" - getting in touch with Cuadra in Nicaragua / Henry Miller - «Stand Still Like the Humming Bird» / Michael Serafian - «The Pilgrim» - Cardinal Bea / essay "Black Revolution" in «Negro Digest» / Pope John XXIII / being outside the Catholic mainstream.

First lines: "Many thanks for your card from Oslo Morocco. We have played your tapes after much aggiornamento"... Contents index: Jerry Berrigan of Syracuse - sending transcript of the African tape / reforming religious life - proposes talk at Loretto / proposed meeting with Berrigan and John Heidbrink in October / frustrated attempts to write on important matters - leaving cycle of "burn out" / Merton's physical resemblance to Henry Miller, Picasso or "ex con".

First lines: "Thanks for your note of yesterday. I sent the CW Letters and some other things, but have no more"... Contents index: no more copies of «Peace in the Post-Christian Era» to reproduce / talk on Loretto for the afternoon / will try to come up with an article for «Jesuit Missions» after finishing overdue article for «Holiday».

First lines: "Last minute check on arrangements for getting the people here. John H. arranged for me to have only"... Contents index: arrangements for meeting at Gethsemani / John Heidbrink and John O. Nelson from Yale / Berrigan to work on getting Paul Peachey there.

First lines: "Today your letter came, with one from Jim also one from Dorothy Day. It was a great relief to hear"... Contents index: [handwritten in pencil - "This was with Catholic Peace Fellowship materials"] regret over hasty reaction to the suicide of Roger LaPorte by quitting the Catholic Peace Fellowship (CPF) - (see telegram in "Forest, James" file) / Berrigan's exile to South America.

First lines: "Today your letter came, with one from Jim also one from Dorothy Day. It was a great relief to hear"... Contents index: regret over hasty reaction to the suicide of Roger LaPorte by quitting the Catholic Peace Fellowship (CPF) - (see telegram in "Forest, James" file) / Berrigan's exile to South America.

First lines: "Some event, hearing from you. Letter came today, dated Feb 6th in Argentina, and I don't know how"... Contents index: Ernesto Cardenal in Nicaragua and his brother in Ecuador / doesn't feel sorry for Berrigan going to Latin America - would like to go there himself / Berrigan's current popularity in print, success of the Catholic Peace Fellowship, and partnership with Sr. Corita / peace protests / conflicts with authority and obedience.

First lines: "Greetings and reminder you have been with us. John [-] Our warmest thoughts with you. Thich Nhat"... Contents index: [verso: "Interior, Lincoln's Boyhood Home 1811-1816, Knob Creek… KY" / post card from John Heidbrink, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Merton / photocopy of the letter side only] Merton writes "We are at Lincoln's place. Lovely sunny day. Kids all around.".

First lines: "Many thanks for your splendid letter from Europe. I got a good idea of the trip-- and the seminary."... Contents index: European seminarians - desire to change but do not know how / Lanza del Vasto / sending works in need of typing.

First lines: "Reaction to the airmail special about Phil and the group that wants to get violent. This will help"... Contents index: reaction to Philip Berrigan's proposal to use violent means - Che Guevara, Regis Debray - violence against people is definitely off-limits - violence against property gets away from Gandhi's ideals, starts to get fuzzy morally, but Merton does not rule it out; however, will it undermine the real message behind peace movement.

First lines: "Reaction to your airmail special about Phil and the group that wants to get violent. This will help"... Contents index: [same as TL[c] from 1967/10/10, except Archivist's note from Cornell states that certain words (containing Philip Berrigan's name) have been covered up and signature masked (Merton's name still listed), presumably for mimeographing and distribution to others, while protecting Merton and Philip Berrigan].

First lines: "Here's the little booklet on The Plague I told you about. No one deserves the dedication better"... Contents index: hoping Berrigan will send Merton poems or fables for «Monks Pond» / trouble with "John Birch element" at Gethsemani, including ex-Jesuit Fr. Raymond "who is threatening to have me burned" / conference for nuns.

First lines: "Here is the preface. I can send some more copies if you like, but this is the one for printing, as"... Contents index: sending preface to «No Longer Strangers» - may have to send preface to censors / Merton likes content of the book but has some criticisms on style - too much ambiguity that will be understood by friends and misused by enemies.

First lines: "New Year's eve. The day is darkening and it has been snowing since midnight last night. Snow is"... Contents index: support for Philip's act of civil disobedience and the governments charge of conspiracy / John and June Yungblut / Merton's book «Faith and Violence» dedicated to Philip and Daniel / abbatial election / new foundation in Chile - asking Merton to go down / "Maybe the only honest place is jail-- or the Amazon jungle".

First lines: "Many thanks for the fine poems. I want to try the two longer ones and the little Feb.2. in the next"... Contents index: likes winter Haiku, but does not want to use them until the season of winter returns / asks for contributor's notes / proposes get-together after Easter (after April 14th).

First lines: "I am a monk, poet, priest, and have written s [sic] few books on the contemplative life in which I"... Contents index: response to Bieberman's article "On Getting the Message" in «Innerspace» - advice from Merton - has no experience with psychedelics, but much experience with youth going through crises as novice master / "experience and communication, solitude and community" / Indians and peyote / Ibn al'Arabi / Sufis.

First lines: "I am a monk, poet, priest, and have written s [sic] few books on the contemplative life in which I"... Contents index: response to Bieberman's article "On Getting the Message" in «Innerspace» - advice from Merton - has no experience with psychedelics, but much experience with youth going through crises as novice master / "experience and communication, solitude and community" / Indians and peyote / Ibn al'Arabi / Sufis.

First lines: "Here are a few words for you first of all to wish you a happy New Year, and then some reflections"...

First lines: "Vous avez été bien aimable ce matin, je regrette beaucoup de vous avoir indirectement cause des"...

First lines: "Here is an answer I am writing to your Fr. Raymond who wrote to me as you know. I tell him my"... Contents index: [copied from annotated typescript in Sub-Section H.7, Hart Working Files, Accession 2, Box 3].

First lines: "Merci de votre aimable lettre. Je suis content d'avoir de vos nouvelles. Les rédacteurs des"... Contents index: declines offer to do the proposed article on the history of the Order because of current books in the works.

First lines: "I need not tell you how I would love to be there on February 2nd. There are few earthly desires I"... Contents index: [Cold War Letters, # 24A] Shaker spiritual drawings / photos of Pleasant Hill Shaker Community / photo essay on the Shakers / Edward Deming Andrews / Merton's thoughts on the paradise myth of the Shakers as expressed in their art - different from secular paradise vision of streets of gold - spiritual and social vision.

First lines: "I have been hoping to answer your letter of late August and now your new letter with the poems of"... Contents index: conference "on solutions to the present dangers to the survival of mankind" / suggestions on a location other than Rome / Papal involvement / Carmen Blumenkron's poems / Dr. Machovec / Elizabeth Mann Borghese / «Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander» / Don Milani / Padre Camillo Torres / Albert Camus.

First lines: "When I suggested the Little Sisters I realized that the suggestion would be a bit of a bombshell on"... Contents index: Walter Hauck and disgrace in sending Nanny to the Little Sisters of the Poor / Merton encourages them "see beyond the surface and the conventional social outlook".

First lines: "I received your letter of the 3rd only yesterday. I am afraid this answer will be too late to help"... Contents index: Merton provides his definition of poetry.

First lines: "First of all I am taking this occasion to send you a Christmas present from our community. I hope"...

First lines: "Perfectly ok to use the quote from "Letter to Innocent Bystander". And of course to put off "Monk""...

First lines: "I don't see any problems whatever about the copyrights. It seems to me everything is in apple pie"...

First lines: "Many thanks for your kind and detailed letter of July 20 which tells me the final issue of Br"...

First lines: "Thanks for the confidence you show in me, in presenting your questions about John of the Cross."... Contents index: [underlining by Borton] sending mimeographed article Merton wrote / John of the Cross "speaks from the fullness of fulfillment" - he seems extreme because we do not see what he has gained through was he has given up - not fanatical and did not want extreme exterior asceticism, rather "total interior detachment".

First lines: "The article you refer to has not yet appeared in Spiritual Life. I have a mimeographed copy which I"... Contents index: sending a couple of his articles on aggiornamento of religious life / recommends other articles and books that are good and some that are bad on the subject / Fr. Walgrave's book on Dominican reform.

First lines: "I am returning your thoughts which I have read over superficially. Do not think that I am giving a"... Contents index: thoughts on Bourgeois' spiritual experience / nature of mystical experiences / "Please do not ask me to give you a certificate guaranteeing you are a mystic.".

First lines: "Here is the completed draft of «Tower of Babel». I am sending it as a straight poem."...

First lines: "As you know periodically my affairs get in an awful tangle, and they are in one now: about writing,"...

First lines: "Before Dom James took off for the Chapter I had a talk with him about the censorship of that section"...

First lines: "This little item here had better be sent to you I think. It has been offered by a friend to the"...

First lines: "I am sending two copies of a preface which I wrote thinking that probably it would not have to be"...

First lines: "Next Spring New Directions is bringing out a paperback selection of various prose pieces of mine."...

First lines: "Thanks for your kind letter. I do hope we can reach some kind of real openness on the Order as"...

First lines: "Do you think they require censoring?? In Jesu f m Louis [-] By no means! fmp"... Contents index: [signed mimeograph of "Is the World a Problem?" inscribed by Merton with a note from Paul Bourne].

First lines: "Thanks for your letter of the 5th which reached me this morning. I still have not progressed very"...

First lines: "I am enclosing a tentative plan for my introduction to the opening volume of the Time Life Bible."...

First lines: "Unfortunately a rather heavy schedule makes it impossible for me to answer your letter adequately."... Contents index: contemplative mission - "not just wound up in little cocoons" - Merton has been active even though living as a contemplative / should not think that contemplation has no real value / recommends «English Spirituality» by Martin Thornton / monastic revival in Protestants / Merton will pray for Bozarth's vocation.

First lines: "Thanks for the extra copies, for the feedback on the poem and all. For many reasons I am happy that"...

First lines: "After all your notes and good wishes I know we are really friends, and I hope we will remain united"... Contents index: Merton sends a picture of himself but asks that they not focus on appearances in life - asks student to be true to themselves and what God wants for them / many ways to serve God - not all through being a priest or religious.

First lines: "I appreciate your kind note, and I want to say that I wish I were free to be of more service in what"... Contents index: Merton offers to send notes to share with bishops on contemplative life.

First lines: "You have more or less put your finger on the problem.I [sic] have a new young Abbot who is somewhat"...

First lines: "Thanks for your note and for the book and for the reprint. And above all thanks for thinking of"... Contents index: Vietnam War / peace efforts and Christian unity - eschatology / what goes on at Berkeley "«sounds» real".

First lines: "This is chiefly to wish you many blessings and graces on March 12th and to say how much I liked"... Contents index: [copied from Sub-Section H.7, Hart Working Files - some pen/pencil marks].

First lines: "Certainly I do not regard monastic letters as a distraction and I was glad to hear from you."...

First lines: "[..] way. The hunters around here are wild shots. Lightning strikes trees all around the hermitage."... Contents index: [copied from Sub-Section H.7, Hart Working Files].

First lines: "The thing I forgot was this. It is really no special problem but I thought for once I might spell"... Contents index: Merton Collection at Bellarmine College / Dom James Fox and his disapproval of the idea.

First lines: "Thanks for your kind letter of April 4th. I do not think it would be possible for me to undertake"... Contents index: refuses offer for Lenten Book 1969.

First lines: "For several weeks I have wanted to find an opportunity to answer your letter with its one very"... Contents index: [Cold War Letters #15 - from mimeographed collection of letters] responds to Burdick's question about "disinterested love" - charity, agape rather than eros - mysticism, the Zen tradition, Hassidim, Jewish tzaddiks of Central Europe and Poland (Buber) / Sigmund Freud - "a great puritan" / D. T. Suzuki.

First lines: "Thanks for your kind invitation to preach the retreat at the Genesee. Since I have always thought"... Contents index: Merton refuses offer to preach retreat - has turned down many others - true vocation is meditation and writing / suggests subprior Fr. Matthew [Kelty?].

First lines: "Thanks for your kind remembrance, and I hope you will «keep well». The weather is getting"... Contents index: [verso: Front Guest Garden at Gethsemani Abbey].

First lines: "Thanks for your letter and for the stipend. I will gladly say that Mass for priests. I think very"...

First lines: "I think often of you and of the book."...

First lines: "Unfortunately I cannot come to your workshop. I realize that something of the sort ought to be"... Contents index: offers notes on contemplative life recently written for college group.

First lines: "I am afraid that Dom James, now absent, has been making every effort to see that I remain out of"... Contents index: Dom James and Dom Jean Leclercq / Dom Winandy / suggestions on and warnings about founding new community.

First lines: "I am afraid that I cannot five you a great deal of information on the Carthusians that would be"... Contents index: benefits and drawbacks of Carthusians or Camaldolese as an order for solitude.

First lines: "It was very thoughtful of you to send me the piece about Cuba by Leroi Jones. It is very important"...

First lines: "Thanks for your very good and kind letter. I am glad I gave you the books and that you liked them."...

First lines: "Many thanks for the "Tongs" which got here a couple of days ago. I have not had a chance to play"...

First lines: "This is to thank you belatedly for the […] a fine book of penetrating insights and great verse"... Contents index: [date is present but unclear on photocopy].

First lines: "Sorry, I owe answers to three or four notes. I will try to cover what I remember: 1) The"... Contents index: Protestant Mysticism book / novel on St. Stephen / Antonianum through interlibrary loan / schedule meeting time.

First lines: "I wish I had been able to answer you sooner. I know you have been"... Contents index: [conscience matter].

First lines: "You may certainly read the galleys of MYSTICS AND ZEN MASTERS when the publisher has them, but most"... Contents index: discourages Post publishing much of the book, but offers suggestion for an article on "Eastern and Western Wisdoms".

First lines: "You may certainly read the galleys of MYSTICS AND ZEN MASTERS when the publisher has them, but most"... Contents index: discourages Post publishing much of the book, but offers suggestion for an article on "Eastern and Western Wisdoms".

First lines: "Thanks for your very charming card: certainly the most beautiful and most "spiritual" I have seen"... Contents index: Shaker Tree of Life (see Edward Andrews) / requests not yet translated Sufi literature for «Monks Pond» or pieces by Arasteh.

First lines: "Here is the reworked piece on "Rebirth in Christianity". I have been somewhat delayed in sending it"... Contents index: City Lights Books and Lawrence Ferlinghetti / «Final Integration».

First lines: "Have courage and faith. The advent liturgy will soon be reminding us that the Lord is very close to"... Contents index: The main purpose of letter is to pass on name of Mario Casanas a potential entrant for Gethsemani.

First lines: "I deeply feel with you all the emotions that have shaken you, on meeting the prisoners returning"...

First lines: "I am sorry I have been busy and have not been able to write. This is just a note to say that I"...

First lines: "Thanks for your two letters. The last one was particularly good, and I want to tell you at least"...

First lines: "Recibo su carta con much [sic] interés, y trato de contsatarle [sic] al menos unas palabras. Le"...

First lines: "Sure, I remember Jim Aud, and of course have always the fondest memories of St Bona's. It would give"... Contents index: responds to request for favor.