Posted by Mark Shaw on November 18, 2009
Pleased to report the new Merton biography, Beneath the Mask of Holiness, has been released. One nice review thus far:
Mark Shaw’s latest captures a most controversial period of time in the life of a very enigmatic personality, Thomas Merton. Mr. Shaw doesn’t fail to envelop the reader in a fair, honest, provocatively enlightening, and highly entertaining read. Mr. Shaw treats his subject with dignity, sensitivity, and profound reverence. For followers of Merton, this is a must read. For those just now learning about Merton or those barely acquainted with the man and his work, “Beneath the Mask” cannot be more recommended.”
That’s from Peter Mursak, a fellow monk with Merton. Feel very special that he liked the book. More about it at www.markshawbooks.net. Special savings at amazon.com
Posted in Merton Biography Released | Tagged: Catholic Church, Gethsemani, God, Holy Spirit. Religious books, Jesus, Mark Shaw, Merton, Merton Center, Merton love affair, Spiritual Books, Thomas Merton, www.markshawbooks.net. | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Mark Shaw on October 31, 2009
Are you lost? confused? Trying to make sense of today’s confusing world? Then think about Thomas Merton’s wise words on the subject that he wrote in Thoughts in Solitude: “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahed of me. I cannot know for cettain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I ma following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I blieve that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing . . . I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”
What comforting words these are from the gifted wordsmith. Fear not, the Lord and the Holy Spirit are with you.
Posted in Merton and Being Lost | Tagged: Beneath the Mask of Holiness, Catholic, Catholic Church, Gethsemani, God, Good Lord, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Mark Shaw, Merton, Thomas Merton, www.markshawbooks.net. | 1 Comment »
Posted by Mark Shaw on October 20, 2009
Ah, it is now but twenty days or so until Beneath the Mask of Holiness: Thomas Merton and the Forbidden Love Affair will be published. More about the book at www.markshawbooks.net and a book trailer may be viewed on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4l4ID5LqtU.
My fondest hope is that I have written the story Merton wanted to be told for he has been a true inspiration in my life over the past several years. What a wise man he was; one whose inspirational writings are as relevant today as they were forty years ago.
Posted in Beneath the Mask of Holiness Book | Tagged: Ann Lamott, Beneath the Mask of Holiness, books, Catholic Church, Catholics, Christ, Dalai Lama, Eroticism, God, Holy Spirit, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4l4ID5LqtU, Jesus Christ, Joan Baez, Love, Mark Shaw, Merton, Palgrave Macmillan, Seven Storey Mountain, Thomas Merton, www.markshawbooks.net. | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Mark Shaw on October 6, 2009
Let’s not forget Merton’s wisdom, “Love is our destiny.”
Posted in Merton and Love | Tagged: Catholic, Catholic Church, Gethsemani, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Love, mark shaw. www.markshawbooks.net, Merton, Thomas Merton | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Mark Shaw on September 28, 2009
In a day and age when truth is a slippery slope, Thomas Merton has needed words for us to consider. In Raids on the Unspeakable, he wrote:
“The true solutions are not those which we force upon life in accordance with our theories, but those which life provides for those who dispose themselves to receive the truth.”
What a wise man Merton was. And how badly we need a leader like him to guide us through the murky path the world faces today. More about Merton at www.markshawbooks.net and www.merton.org.
Posted in Merton and Truth | Tagged: Beneath the Mask of Holiness, Catholic Church, Contemplative Life, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Love, Mark Shaw, Merton, Monk, Spirituality, Thomas Merton, truth, www.markshawbooks.net. | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Mark Shaw on September 8, 2009
Thomas Merton wrote words of wisdom for everyone to hear, young or old, rich or poor, Christian or not:
“Despair is the ultimate development of a pride so great and so stiff-necked that it selects the absolute mierty of damnation rather than accept happiness from the hands of God and thereby acknowledge that H is a above us and that we are not capable of fulfilling our destiny by ourselves. But a man who is truly humble cannot despair, because in the humble man there is not longer any such thing as self-pity.”
Amazing. And so very relevant for today’s puzzling world.
Posted in Merton and Despair | Tagged: Catholic, Catholic Church, Christ, Christians, Despair, Gethsemani, God, Holy Spirit, Humble, Jesus Christ, Love, Mark Shaw, Merton, Monk, Thomas Merton, www.markshawbooks.net. | Leave a Comment »
