The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton

The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton is an autobiographical novel that is inspiring to any reader in search of God. The book is Merton's own search for God before he entered the Cistercian Order (The strictest branch - The Trappists). This book is an eye-opener for anyone discerning to enter religious life or the seminary. But it can also be a refreshing reading experience for those building their professional careers. Professionals and business people can achieve better balance from the reading experience.

An autobiography

The Seven Storey Mountain begins with the story written in the author's own words: his search for God beginning in the context of a university setting. Merton was a student first and then became a professor in the university where he graduated. He was not Catholic. But, in the course of his teaching career, life events have led him to seek God. The book will give details of this conversion experience. So, Merton found himself baptized in the Catholic Church. His first attempt in his search was with the Franciscans. This did not work out for Thomas Merton. Finally, after additional discernment, he finally entered the Order of the Cistercians of the Strict Observance. This is a monastic order that has a vow of silence in one of its vows. In his life as a Trappist monk, Thomas Merton authored many books. This book, The Seven Storey Mountain is one of them; it is his most popular auto-biography.

Poignant moments

The book has some poignant moments can deeply affect readers. One of which relates to his family. Merton tells the story of how his younger brother visited him one day to inform Merton of a decision to join the Air Force. Merton then tells the story poignantly of the meeting and of the time also when he heard the news of his brother's death in the war.

A modern Catholic classic

The Seven Storey Mountain could well be considered a modern classic that any personal library can have. It can be read and reread as many times as one wishes, because Merton writes very intelligently. He gives a lot of his insights and wisdom in his life-story. His reflections are naturally deep and integrated in his autobiography. The education-rich setting of a university and his life as a Trappist monk all contributed to the richness of his faith and wisdom. If one needs a break, a "retreat" from the secular concerns one is daily attending to, this book is refreshing break from the "rat race". For it will certainly provide many great reminders of what really are the essential things in life. If you need a great book to read and reread way up to your retirement and leisure years, this certainly is a must-have.