New Seeds of Contemplation

Thomas Merton's reflections aim to wake the inner depths of the spirit that, he holds, the West has long neglected, and to nurture a contemplative and mystical side of life. His central image is of seeds: every moment and event plants something in the soul, as the wind scatters winged seeds, but most of these germs of spiritual vitality are lost because people are not ready to receive them, and they can grow only in freedom, spontaneity and love. The meditations range over faith, spiritual wonder, renunciation and the night of the senses. Readers have set it beside the medieval mystics, St. John of the Cross and The Cloud of Unknowing, and some have likened it to Thoreau.

Todd Henry, founder of Accidental Creative, calls it his favorite book outside business and rereads it every year to savor it.