Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

  • Ways of Prayer: Thomas Merton on a Desert Father's Wisdom

  • By: Thomas Merton
  • Narrated by: Thomas Merton
  • Length: 5 hrs and 32 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (8 ratings)
Offer ends May 1st, 2024 11:59PM GMT. Terms and conditions apply.
£7.99/month after 3 months. Renews automatically.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Ways of Prayer: Thomas Merton on a Desert Father's Wisdom cover art

Ways of Prayer: Thomas Merton on a Desert Father's Wisdom

By: Thomas Merton
Narrated by: Thomas Merton
Get this deal Try for £0.00

Pay £99p/month. After 3 months pay £7.99/month. Renews automatically. See terms for eligibility.

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £12.89

Buy Now for £12.89

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.

Listeners also enjoyed...

Thomas Merton on Prayer cover art
Thomas Merton on the Contemplative Way cover art
Thomas Merton on Solitude and Togetherness cover art
Thomas Merton on the Twelve Steps of Humility cover art
Thomas Merton on Sufism cover art
The Sayings of the Holy Desert Fathers cover art
The Wisdom of the Desert cover art
The Seven Storey Mountain cover art
Revelations of the Aramaic Jesus cover art
Healing Our Violence Through the Journey of Centering Prayer cover art
The Art of Letting Go cover art
The Contemplative Journey: Volume 1 cover art

Summary

Join Thomas Merton in exploring one of the most influential figures in the history of spirituality. Delivered in 1962 to the novices at Merton’s monastery, these talks allow you to hear his voice and experience his powerful teaching. 

Born in the fourth century, Saint John Cassian (AD 360 - 435) lived when tensions between the traditional and innovative peaked. A monk and theologian, Cassian made the Christian tradition relevant for the needs of his day in his spiritual works. Indeed, his spirituality remains essential today; he influenced Saints Benedict and Ignatius of Loyola, and his works continue to be read worldwide. These remastered recordings of his lectures give you the opportunity to discover the vitality of Cassian’s philosophy of prayer with Thomas Merton as your guide. 

A teacher par excellence, Merton breathes new life into ancient texts as he passes tradition onto novices. Merton’s conferences are not didactic presentations about Cassian’s teachings but meaningful applications of them to the modern world. Cassian integrated Eastern monasticism into Western thought, and his Conferences provide the principles of monastic life: unceasing prayer, charity, and asceticism. Especially compelling are his teachings about prayer and virtue and his examination of the “prayer of fire” as the goal of contemplation. 

Merton guides you through these topics and more in his captivating talks. You will discover why the mysticism of John Cassian is cherished in the monastic tradition and the wider Christian community alike. These conferences will inspire you as you explore your own spiritual life. This set includes an afterword by Fr. Anthony Ciorra.

This course is part of the Learn25 collection.

©2012 Now You Know Media Inc. (P)2012 Now You Know Media Inc.

What listeners say about Ways of Prayer: Thomas Merton on a Desert Father's Wisdom

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    6
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    6
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    6
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

As an ex monk I could really appreciate this!

Merton meanders confidently like a seasoned swimmer relaxing with back strokes! Beyond religious contention and heated debate by unholy know it alls-this is charming listening and took me back to the good parts of being a young monk brimming with ideals.
Merton covers a lot of ground on Cassian and some other church fathers. He has great humour and was clearly a great teacher! He is very interactive and interesting! these lectures remind me of the depth of monastic and church tradition and it's dedication to the God filled pursuit of holiness.
Merton has some fine tips for ecumenism: that we learn from each other- but can't escape descending into superficial caricature when describing the Protestant notion of sola fide and salvific assurance by faith alone. Nevertheless it's made me protest less! And I went to my local monastery today to Vespers!! I'll be getting more Merton audio lectures.
The final chapter is by a priest theologian who nicely introduces Cassian. This would actually be the best place to start for a fuller appreciation of Cassian and what Merton was trying to achieve in these spiritual conferences. Cassian is the man who brought monastic desert spirituality to the west, disciple of Evagrius and teacher of Benedict. Maybe it's in the desert of authentic prayer where real unity can happen among Christians today! It wont be by verbose debate anyway!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Merton’s Cassian

Great teachers inspire those the teach. Merton does just that as he imparts discoveries and experiences to his audience, as well as today’s enquirer or listener. Seekers of wisdom, grace and faith will be encouraged by these conferences.

The lectures, punctuated by birdsong, the bells of the Office and abrupt class conclusions, reveal lives dedicated to the discipline of prayer within community. There is a sense of glimpsing the private lives and hearing private thoughts found within the monastery.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!