A Timeless Reflection on the Necessity of Solitude in an Age of Constant Connection
In Thoughts in Solitude, Thomas Merton, one of the foremost spiritual thinkers of the twentieth century, eloquently addresses the pleasures and necessity of a solitary life. Originally published in 1956, Merton's words remain as timely and thought-provoking as ever, urging readers to seek quiet reflection in an age when so little is private.
Merton writes, "When society is made up of men who know no interior solitude it can no longer be held together by love: and consequently it is held together by a violent and abusive authority. But when men are violently deprived of the solitude and freedom which are their due, the society in which they live becomes putrid, it festers with servility, resentment and hate."
Alongside Merton's most enduring work, The Seven Storey Mountain, Thoughts in Solitude stands as a powerful exploration of mindfulness, awareness, and the art of living. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking daily meditations on the spiritual life and our relationship with God in an age of uncertainty.