Thomas Merton and Sobriety

AMy Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.@ Thus begins the second most popular prayer one is likely to hear from a member of a 12-Step recovery program. AGod, grant me the serenity...@ is rightfully attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr, but more and more, people are discovering the peace that accompanies the Merton prayer.

There are even cards printed up, and passed around, that have the Serenity prayer on one side, and the Merton prayer from Thoughts in Solitude on the other. Perhaps it is the assurance found at the conclusion of the prayer, AI will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone,@ which inspires so many people.

For individuals living life one-day-at-a-time, and doing so dependant upon Aa decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him,@ the Merton prayer offers a beacon of hope through a troubled time. That a monk can write, Athe fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so,@ is somewhat reassuring.

As someone with a substantial personal history in the 12 Steps, I feel uniquely qualified to construct a workshop, both informative and valuable, exploring Merton=s personal themes, his writings, and how they continue to illuminate anyone seeking spiritual awareness.

In 250 words it is difficult to present volumes of material, or impress upon you how strongly called I feel to make this presentation. It is perhaps with faith alone that I can share with you the confidence I have that this will be an excellent, and well Agraded@ workshop, but it will be.

The spiritual lore of the Plains Indian tribes symbolizes the direction North as not only white in color, but the way of True Wisdom. The theme of AMagnetic North / True North: Geography Beyond Boundaries@ will merge easily with my presentation. As Merton wrote in the volume, Woods, Shore, Desert (p.16) AAttention. Concentration of the spirit in the heart. Vigilance. Concentration of the will in the heart. Sobriety. Concentration of feeling in the heart.@

In the same volume (p.22), Merton describes his traveling companions leaving his stay at Our Lady of the Redwoods Monastery in Northern California; ASister Katryn drove. Al Groth, the neighbor, with the Heineken=s beer rode in the back seat.@

Another sketch is provided in Merton=s journals. This is from Turning Toward the World, (p.324) on May 26, 1963 (while reflecting on the fourteenth anniversary of his ordination);

AI have not always been temperate, and if I go to town and someone pours me a drink, I don't resist another, or even a third. And I have sometimes gone beyond the trivium perfectum [the perfect third]. A monk? Probably the chief weakness has been lack of real courage to bear up under the attention of monastic and priestly life. Anyway, I am worn down. I am easily discouraged. The depressions are deeper, more frequent. I am near fifty. People think I am happy.@

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