When the Trees Say Nothing
Description
Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk, author, poet, social commentator, and perhaps the most influential and widely published spiritual writer of the twentieth century. In When the Trees Say Nothing, editor Kathleen Deignan sheds new light on Merton by focusing on a neglected theme of his writing: the natural world as a manifestation of the divine.
Drawing from Merton's voluminous writing on nature, Deignan has thematically assembled a collection of lucid, poetic reflections. Chapters on the four elements, the seasons, the Earth and its creatures, and the sun, moon, and stars provide brief passages from his diverse works that reveal the presence of God in creation.
Product Details
| Publisher | Sorin Books |
| Publish Date | February 16, 2015 |
| Pages | 192 |
| Language | English |
| Type |  Paperback / softback |
| EAN/UPC | 9781933495903 |
| Dimensions | 6.8 X 7.5 X 0.5 inches | 0.4 pounds |
About the Author
Deignan is a professor of religious studies at Iona College, where she founded and directs the Iona Spirituality Institute, a project for the celebration and study of the spiritual life. The institute has sponsored her work in interfaith dialogue, peace and justice studies, and spiritual animation in the United States and abroad, particularly in Ireland where she has worked to foster the legacy of Thomas Merton. In 2009, she received Fordham's Sapientia et Doctrina Award for her work in spirituality and, in 2014, an honorary degree from her alma mater, Sacred Heart University.
An editor of five books, including A Book of Hours (Sorin Books, 2007), Deignan has also written many articles that have appeared in The Way, Review for Religious, Sisters Today, The Merton Seasonal, The Merton Annual, Cross Currents, Franciscan Review, Diakonia, Sacred Journey and Monastic Interreligious Dialogue Bulletin. Deignan is a GreenFaith Fellow, and former president of the International Thomas Merton Society. She sits on the boards of The American Teilhard Association, The International Thomas Merton Society, GreenFaith, and The Giuliani Foundation for Religion and the Arts.
Reviews
From the Foreword by Thomas Berry (1914-2009), Passionist Priest, Expert on Ecology and World Religions
"A vivid image in my memory: Thomas Merton standing in a redwoods clearing. 'Here is where everything connects, ' he says softly. If you long to find this connecting point, read on. Merton would be thrilled with this book." --Brother David Steindl-Rast, O.S.B., Cofounder of gratefulness.org
"This splendid volume by Kathleen Deignan evokes the sense of the sacred. Merton's carefully chosen texts on nature are wedded with John Giuliani's drawings, resulting in a handsome book for all seasons." --Br. Patrick Hart, O.C.S.O., Abbey of Gethsemani, General Editor of The Journals of Thomas Merton
"A lovely book! Kathleen Deignan's selection and arrangement of passages from Merton's writings on nature--enhanced by John Giuliani's evocative drawings--not only provide wonderful insights into the monks sacramental vision of the world, but also inspire a deepened attentiveness to creation on our own part as well." --Patrick O'Connell, Editor of The Merton Seasonal, Coauthor of The Thomas Merton Encyclopedia
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