Thomas Merton: Poet, Monk, Scholar and Activist

• Week 1: Introduction to Thomas Merton
  Merton was a contemplative, prolific poet/author, scholar of Christianity and Buddhism, and an activist in the midst of national and global conflict. We’ll explore excerpts from Merton’s Zen and the Birds of Appetite and other readings.
• Week 2: Merton as poet
  We’ll read and discuss selected poems by Merton in the context of his life and work across secular, literary, spiritual and socio-political contexts. We’ll uncover connections to our own lives, through sharing memories and reflective writing.
• Week 3: Merton as monk, mystic and artist
  We will continue to read from Zen and the Birds of Appetite, The Asian Journal of Thomas Merton, and selected poems. We’ll discuss Merton’s dialogue with Buddhist scholar D.T. Suzuki, contemplation, silence, Zen photography and art.
• Week 4: Merton as interfaith pioneer
  As interfaith pioneer, Merton met Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, as well as the Dalai Lama, who considered Merton a kind of Christian geshe. We’ll compare writings by Buddhist scholars with those of Thomas Merton, in connection to our own explorations.
• Week 5: Merton as peace activist
  We’ll look at Merton’s socially conscious stand as a peace activist in the 1960s. As monk, poet, scholar/contemplative, Merton addressed non-violence amid American race riots and the Vietnam War. We’ll discuss meaningful links to current events, and to our life journeys.
• Week 6: Reflections on Merton’s life and work
  Our final session will focus on further thoughts about Thomas Merton’s life. We’ll look again at the question: “How can we visualize world peace?” In reflection, we'll share meaningful writing, poems, photography, art, and artifacts.

By the end of the course, you should be able to do the following:

• Define “contemplation” in Thomas Merton’s world in relation to today’s world
• Trace the historical roots and evolution of Merton’s literary, scholarly, and spiritual legacy
• Describe the social and political significance of Merton’s life and work
• Consider how commercial and other media influences have affected authors such as Merton
• Reflect on how Merton’s position as monk, poet and activist relates to our own life journeys

• Lectures, readings and in-class discussion
• Opportunities for reflection through creative expression in art, writing and other media
• Reflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)

No textbook is required. We will provide all course materials online.