Thomas Merton’s Spiritual Formation and Writings on Racism: From Harlem,Through Louisville,To Birmingham

Abstract

Thomas Merton addressed racism frequently and forcefully from 1963 until his death in 1968. While commentary on racial unrest written from the tranquility of a monastery seems paradoxical, viewing the development of Merton’s thought on racism through the framework of Adrian van Kaam’s Formative Action Pattern shows that Merton’s contemplative spirituality is integrally connected to his valuable insights on racism. Van Kaam’s pattern describes a “from-through-to” movement, which allows characterization of Merton’s thought on racism from Harlem, through Louisville, to Birmingham, representing Merton’s own journey through the lens of these locations of critical events in his writings on racism. Today’s racial conflicts invite reexamination of Merton’s writings, reengagement with the monastic wisdom which cultivated them, and renewed commitment to shared rules of life capable of sustaining the spirituality of those involved in ministries of social justice.