DIALOGUE WITH THOMAS MERTON | PART 3

This changes nothing in the sense and value of my solitude, for it is in fact the function of solitude to make one realize such things with a clarity that would be impossible to anyone completely immersed in the other cares, the other illusions, and all the automatisms of a tightly collective existence. My solitude, however, is not my own, for I see now how much it belongs to them—and that I have a responsibility for it in their regard, not just in my own. It is because I am one with them that I owe it to them to be alone, and when I am alone they are not “they” but my own self. There are no strangers!

2020
Merton explains and defends the function and responsibility of solitude as the vital passage for such profound realization. And that this realization of “reality” is pure, holy, and separate from illusions or collective group illusions. The “reality” that we all belong to each other as members of the human race can be actualized through solitude. So, solitude is not only for my benefit and betterment but for the benefit of others. Solitude allows us to see the world’s deep hunger and opens up our contribution to the world. There is a sense of holy duty and responsibility of solitude that links all humanity together. Solitude and service (to the world) are intricately knotted together. There is no more room for strangers.

2025
It is solitude that awakens the illusion and calls for the fruition of our service to the world. What can be viewed as dualistic between solitude and service, Merton convincingly ties them together as one seamless function. Therefore, contemplation and action can never be separated. Over the years, nature aided my deeper appreciation and need for solitude. As Christ’s fellow incarnations touching the earth, I am one with nature, the cosmos, providing the timeless, eternal connection.

Then it was as if I suddenly saw the secret beauty of their hearts, the depths of their hearts where neither sin nor desire nor self-knowledge can reach, the core of their reality, the person that each one is in God’s eyes. If only they could all see themselves as they really are. If only we could see each other that way all the time. There would be no more war, no more hatred, no more cruelty, no more greed. . . . I suppose the big problem would be that we would fall down and worship each other. But this cannot be seen, only believed and “understood” by a peculiar gift.

2020
Merton builds on his revelation by saying, “Then.” What matters is the core of the reality of “the secret beauty” of each person and who each person is in God’s eyes. Discovering (not making up) what we really are is life’s most important quest and pursuit. Then, we can begin to see others in the same light—the person that each one is in God’s eyes. Merton doesn’t say this here, but the reason that we can believe and understand this reality is because of God’s ultimate love and goodness, and because God looks on each of us with love and as love. It is like God seeing God in us. The infinite-ness of God sees the infinite-ness of God within each finite us.

A lost soul is an unaware soul. It is like sleepwalking in a vast field of the Reality of God and ourselves, oblivious to what is Real and false. An aware soul is one who sees himself/herself squarely placed in God’s eyes and who understands the core of their identity. It seems tragic to me that lostness is defined by some kind of religious formula couched in the dominant cultural forces of our time. The litmus test of our own awareness concerns whether we have the ability to see others as God’s indwelling beings.

2025
This kind of seeing, Merton recollects, is a peculiar gift. We cannot will this to happen. It is something that is bestowed upon us, and we simply receive it as a gift, pure grace. Once we see it, it is hard to un-see it. This seeing sees all of us as little pieces of heaven, sprinkled throughout the earth, to bring heaven to earth and earth to heaven.