When the Trees Say Nothing: Writings on Nature

Another side of Merton you normally don't see."Sense of relatedness to my environment -- a luxury I refuse to renounce. Aristocrat, conservative: I don't give a damn. Those city Christians can live in their world of Muzak and CO2 and think they are in touch with 'creation' -- nature 'humanism'! I admit that it is a reality one must acknowledge but am not so sure it is better for self-confrontation" (p. 168)."Why do I live alone? I don't know.... In some mysterious way I am condemned to it.... I cannot have enough of the hours of silence when nothing happens. When the clouds go by. When the trees say nothing. When the birds sing. I am completely addicted to the realization that just being there is enough, and to add something else is to mess it all up.... I cannot explain it.... Freedom, darling. This is what the woods mean to me. I am free, free, a wild being, and that is all that I ever can really be. I am dedicated to it, addicted to it, sworn to it, and sold to it. It is the freedom in me that loves you...." (pp. 177-78)."Darling, I am telling you: this life in the woods is IT. It is the only way. It is the way everybody has lost... It is life, this thing in the woods. I do not claim it is real. All I say is that it is the life that has chosen itself for me" (p. 178).I've read quite a number of his works, and this has become one of my favorites. Thank you, Kathleen Deignan, for compiling this volume.

This is an extraordinary book--a collection of Thomas Merton's writings on nature, from his journals. It paints a poignant and beautiful picture of Merton the man, and offers a compelling reason for (this) reader to seek the presence of God. The collection is divided into chapters on seasons, trees, animals, flowers, etc. The effect is meditative, almost mesmerizing. I read this as part of a retreat in nature. So glad to have had the opportunity to read this wonderful book, and am buying it for friends.

As a believer, I think the beauty of creation should lead to contemplation of and wonder at the Creator. But unfortunately, too often in the modern world there's an enforced atheism or at least practical atheism, when discussing nature. This excellent book is refreshing because Merton puts God at the center of creation, intimately entwined with it. I didn't realize there'd be so many thoughts of Merton's on animals until I received the book. "Butterflies And Birds", "Snakes And Frogs", and "Deer And Dogs" are among those 7 chapters. You don't have to be Catholic like the Cistercian monk Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was to enjoy this book. I would argue that you would get much material for thought even if you are an unbeliever. Don't be surprised if you have a hankerin' to go out into the woods while reading this book. Merton was a monk at the Abbey of Gethsemani about 40 miles outside Louisville, Kentucky. Among my favorite passages is:"The poet has to be free from everyone else, and first of all from himself, because it is through this 'self' that he is captured by others. Freedom is found under the dark tree that springs up in the center of the night and of silence, the paradise tree, the axis of mundi, which is also the Cross." (P.175)Daniel 3:51-90 encourages all of God's creatures and His creation to praise Him. This book will help you do that.

Thomas Merton and I have much in common and his writings bring more evidence of the miracles witnessed in the unfolding NOW.

A book on Thomas Merton.....Can't go wrong with that topic! Journal reflections for meditation--or to enjoy another's view on the simplicity and beauty of God's creation. Can read all at once or better taken bit by bit, this book is a marvelous little gem.

This is a most beautiful book, with content by a mystic, gathered by a scholar and illustrated delicately by an artist. Our post-modern world is one where we, the human species, are beginning to realise the damage we have done to the natural world. This book draws us back to an appreciation of all we are missing in our daily lives.

If you like nature, and you like Thomas Merton, you will love this collection of excerpts from his books that mentioned the natural world around him. You can pick it up and read anyplace, doesn't have to be cover to cover in order to be enjoyed.

My excpectations for this book may have been a little too high. Merton's work pepper my shelves, put this one I think will go up for resale. Other than a precious few noteable quotes, it read more like a nature walk than a spiritual path for enlightenment. Ah well, compilations of the works of others can be a very tricky business. Nice try though Ms. Deignan.

I read this book every day. Have read it about three times and never tire of his wonderful observations of nature. Thomas Merton we know is a beautiful descriptive writer and it feels like you are there beside him as he points out the scenes in nature to you. It's a meditative book on nature and I absolutely love it.

Wonderful thought provoking Merton, Christian Spiritual guide.

I love reading Thomas Merton but have always appreciated his ideas more than the wording he used. This selection gleaned from writings allows one to savour his brilliant descriptive sentences on nature ; and even though theology is immersed in the text it plays a secondary role.

I bought this for my sister as I was so impressed with the kindle edition. It is a thing of beauty which reflects the beautiful writing. I don't think I can give it away now. A wonderful evocation of the spiritual in the natural world. If you're curious then get a copy if you can.

Thomas Merton loved silence. He makes me love it too. I was raised on a farm. I miss the farm. This brings it back.