"For as much as we seek our paths and have questions about the journey, there is a sense deep within us, like a primeval compass, that shows we already know where to go." – Sophfronia Scott

In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Sophfronia talk about how they came to know of Merton, and how his journals reveal his truer self (2:00); being "spiritual but not religious," the language of beholding versus the language of belief, and how interactions with nature are a spiritual exercise (9:00); human versus divine love, and how the most spiritual moments are often the most difficult ones in life (17:00); the importance of seeking a life of needing less, and how not be in a constant state of wanting (25:00); contemplation versus activism, learning to love people we do not agree with, and regulating desire in a world of abundance (34:30); and what Merton's example can teach us in the 21st century, in an age of click-bait and decontextualized life (45:00).

Sophfronia Scott (@Sophfronia) is the author of five books. Her newest, The Seeker and the Monk, is about Catholic writer and activist Thomas Merton. She last appeared on Deviate to discuss mid-life career change, and her role in defining Generation X.

Notable Links:

Thomas Merton (monk and writer)
Merton Prayer
Conjectures of a Guilt Bystander (1968 Merton book)
The Seven Storey Mountain (1948 Merton autobiography)
The Asian Journal of Thomas Merton (1975 book)
Festival of Faith and Writing
Barbara Brown Taylor (theologian)
New Seeds of Contemplation (1962 Merton book)
Moonstruck (1987 movie)
Abbey of Gethsemani (Merton's monastery in Kentucky)
Henri Nouwen (theologian)
2021 Capitol insurrection (attack on the U.S. Congress)
Sandy Hook shooting (2012 mass shooting)

The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel’s 2017 album Lumber.

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