The Seven Storey Mountain

The Seven Storey Mountain is a spiritual autobiography written by Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk, and published in 1948 by Harcourt Brace. The book is a personal and introspective account of Merton's journey towards Catholicism and his decision to become a monk at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, under the guidance of Dom Frederic Dunne and Abbot John Chapman. Merton's experiences at Columbia University, where he studied under Mark Van Doren and Joseph Wood Krutch, and his interactions with Mahatma Gandhi and Dorothy Day also influenced his spiritual development. The book has been widely acclaimed for its thought-provoking and deeply personal exploration of Christian mysticism and the monastic life, as seen in the works of St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila.

Introduction

The Seven Storey Mountain is a deeply personal and introspective work that explores Merton's spiritual journey, from his childhood in Prades, Pyrénées-Orientales to his decision to become a Trappist monk. Merton's experiences at Oakham School in Rutland, England, and his time at Clare College, Cambridge, where he studied under Etienne Gilson and Evelyn Underhill, also played a significant role in shaping his spiritual views. The book is a testament to the power of spirituality and the search for meaning in life, as seen in the works of Søren Kierkegaard and Fyodor Dostoevsky. Merton's writing has been compared to that of St. Augustine of Hippo and Blaise Pascal, and his work has been influenced by the Catholic Church and the Benedictine Order.

Background

The Seven Storey Mountain was written during Merton's early years as a monk at the Abbey of Gethsemani, where he was living under the guidance of Abbot John Chapman and Dom Frederic Dunne. Merton's experiences as a monk, including his struggles with asceticism and his deepening understanding of Christian mysticism, are deeply intertwined with the narrative of the book. The book also reflects Merton's interests in literature and poetry, as seen in his admiration for William Blake and Dylan Thomas. Merton's interactions with Jacques Maritain and Raïssa Maritain also influenced his spiritual development, as did his studies of St. Thomas Aquinas and Meister Eckhart.

Summary

The book is a personal and introspective account of Merton's journey towards Catholicism and his decision to become a monk. The narrative is divided into several sections, each of which explores a different aspect of Merton's spiritual development, from his childhood in Prades, Pyrénées-Orientales to his decision to enter the Trappist Order. Merton's experiences at Columbia University, where he studied under Mark Van Doren and Joseph Wood Krutch, and his interactions with Mahatma Gandhi and Dorothy Day also play a significant role in the narrative. The book is a deeply personal and introspective work that explores Merton's struggles with faith and doubt, as well as his deepening understanding of Christian mysticism and the monastic life, as seen in the works of St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila.

Reception

The Seven Storey Mountain was widely acclaimed upon its release in 1948, with reviewers praising Merton's thought-provoking and deeply personal exploration of Christian mysticism and the monastic life. The book has been compared to the works of St. Augustine of Hippo and Blaise Pascal, and has been influential in shaping the Catholic Church's understanding of spirituality and the search for meaning in life. The book has also been praised by Evelyn Underhill and Etienne Gilson, among others, for its insightful and deeply personal exploration of the human condition. Merton's work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, and has been translated into numerous languages, including French and Spanish.

Themes

The Seven Storey Mountain explores a number of themes, including the search for meaning in life, the importance of spirituality and faith, and the challenges of living a monastic life. Merton's experiences as a monk, including his struggles with asceticism and his deepening understanding of Christian mysticism, are deeply intertwined with the narrative of the book. The book also reflects Merton's interests in literature and poetry, as seen in his admiration for William Blake and Dylan Thomas. Merton's interactions with Jacques Maritain and Raïssa Maritain also influenced his spiritual development, as did his studies of St. Thomas Aquinas and Meister Eckhart. The book is a deeply personal and introspective work that explores Merton's struggles with faith and doubt, as well as his deepening understanding of Christian mysticism and the monastic life.

Impact

The Seven Storey Mountain has had a significant impact on the Catholic Church and the wider world, influencing a generation of Catholic writers and thinkers, including Flannery O'Connor and Walker Percy. The book has also been influential in shaping the Catholic Church's understanding of spirituality and the search for meaning in life, as seen in the works of Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI. Merton's work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, and has been translated into numerous languages, including French and Spanish. The book remains a deeply personal and introspective work that continues to inspire and influence readers around the world, including Thomas Keating and Richard Rohr. Category:Autobiographies