Identity elements
Reference code
US US-kylobm TMC-RG1-A-076-#11
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Item
Title
1961-03-08, TALS Aziz to Merton, 'I was greatly pleased to receive your letter last month and regret that due to'
Date(s)
- 1961 March 8 (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: "I was greatly pleased to receive your letter last month and regret that due to official"... Contents index: quotes Louis Massignon in stating Merton a "'simurgh', (a very rare bird) among [his] Order" / Muslim "Night of Power" / similarity between John of the Cross and Hakim Tirmizi / interest in mystical prayer in Islam / Imam Riza poem.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Notes element
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Senders and recipients—
to Nicholas Heer from: Aziz, Abdul