Deep Green Crystals

Thomas Merton is a great thinker. If he had lived longer we may have seen much more dialogue between Catholics and Buddists. I always wondered what the difference between regular prayer and contemplative prayer was. This book lays it out. Contemplative prayer is the deep long term kind of thing that priests and monks are called to do. It has it’s own special rewards. The kind of rewards that only full dedication can bring. Here it is in a nutshell:

“The climate in which monastic prayer flowers is that of the desert, where the comfort of man is absent, and where prayer must be sustained by God in the purity of faith.”

The world is a better place because of Merton.

I rate this book 5 of 5 if you are interested in understanding Catholic prayer life. If you are not, do not read this book.