Merton and True Love
Posted by Mark Shaw on June 11, 2008
Wow, Thomas Merton’s book, No Man is an Island, has so many worthwhile messages that focusing on any one is difficult to do. But with my mind on truly living with Christlike behavior every day, this one does stand out. It reads: “We do not exist for ourselves alone, and it si only when we are fully convinced of this fact that we begin to love ourselves properly and thus also love others. What do I mean by loving ourselves properly? I mean, first of all, desiring to live, accepting life as very great gift and a great good, not because of what it give us, but because of what it enables us to give to others.”
Imagine what a great world we would have if everyone believed these words, and put them into action. Giving is such a wonderful gift, and transforming one’s mind to think of giving or how to help others with every breath, word, idea, and action is a goal of mine. Living life with true love and compassion, this is truly Christlike behavior whether one believes in God or Christ. How simple, as Merton points out.
redhotrabbit said
I really like this blog Ave Maria
Mark Shaw said
Thank you so much Ava Maria. I, in turn, would enjoy reading your thoughts about Thomas Merton, etc.
larry said
I’ve been reading “No Man Is An Island”. As a lay Carmelite, I think it’s very similar to what St. John of the Cross & St. Teresa of Jesus are saying. The individual has to give up his own selfish interest in order to find the Will of God. Ave Maria