I've always been fascinated by the spiritual depth in 'Contemplative Prayer', and digging into its author's background feels like uncovering hidden treasure. The book was penned by Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk whose life was as layered as his writings. Born in 1915 in France to an artist father and a Quaker mother, Merton’s early years were marked by loss—his mother died when he was six, and his father passed away a decade later. That solitude seemed to shape his later quest for meaning. After a wild youth that included studying at Cambridge and Columbia (where he partied hard and dabbled in communism), he had a sudden conversion to Catholicism in 1938. Two years later, he joined the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, a decision that turned him into one of the 20th century’s most influential spiritual voices.
Merton wasn’t just a monk; he was a bridge between Eastern and Western spirituality. 'Contemplative Prayer' reflects his obsession with Zen Buddhism and Christian mysticism, blending silence, mindfulness, and divine connection. What’s striking is how his own struggles—loneliness, doubt, even a late-life romantic entanglement—fueled his honesty about the human condition. His journals reveal a man torn between monastic discipline and a hunger for the world’s beauty. By the time he died in 1968 (electrocuted by a faulty fan in Thailand during a conference), he’d written over 70 books, from poetry to anti-war manifestos. His legacy? Proof that spirituality isn’t about having all the answers but daring to ask the messy questions.
2025-06-24 22:03:45
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An English Writer
San Lin Tun
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The novel is mainly about the forgotten British poet/writer named C. J Richards who lived in Burma/Myanmar in colonial times and he believed himself as a Burmophile. He served as I.C.S (Indian Civil Servant) and when he retired from I.C.S service, he was a D.C (District Commissioner) and he left for England a year before Burma gained its independence in 1948. He came to Burma in 1920 to work in civil service after passing the hardest I.C.S examination. He wrote several books on Burma and contributed many monthly articles to Guardian Magazine published in Burma from 1953 to 1974 or 1975. Though he wrote several books which had much literary merit to both communities, Britain and Burma (Myanmar), people failed to recognize him.
The story has two parts: one part is set in the contemporary Yangon (then called Rangoon) in 2016 context and a young literary enthusiast named “Lin” found out unexpectedly the forgotten writer’s poetry book and there is surely a good deal of time gap that led him into a quest to know more about the author’s life. The setting is quite different comparing to colonial Burma and independence Myanmar (Burma), early twentieth century and 2016 which is a transitional period in Myanmar.
The writer’s life is fictionalized in the novel and most of the facts are taken from his personal stories and other reference books. It is a kind of historical novel with a twist and it has comparatively constructed the two different periods in Myanmar history to convince readers, locally and abroad more about history, authorship, humanity, colonialism, and transitional development in Myanmar today.
Elena Moretti has always lived by the rules. Raised in the wealthy, devout heart of Rome, her life is governed by faith, family honor, and the unyielding rhythm of the Angelus bells. But when Rev. Matteo Romano returns from Paris to serve in her Trastevere parish, everything she thought she knew about devotion and desire is thrown into question.
Matteo is calm, refined, and seemingly untouchable — yet he carries a quiet fire, a dangerous intensity that Elena cannot ignore. Their connection begins with fleeting glances, subtle touches, and whispered words that blur the line between spiritual guidance and personal temptation. Each encounter pulls them deeper into a forbidden spiral, challenging Elena’s beliefs, igniting desires she has been taught to suppress, and threatening the lives they’ve carefully built.
As their clandestine bond strengthens, Elena discovers that desire is far more consuming than faith, and Matteo begins to confront the tension between duty and passion. But in a city steeped in tradition and scrutiny, secrecy is fleeting, and the cost of indulgence is devastating.
Sacred Obsession is a story of forbidden longing, dangerous temptation, and the consuming fire of a love that defies rules — a tale where passion and faith collide, leaving hearts exposed and fates uncertain.
Gisella, tagged as cursed, criticised by everyone because she lost her mother during her birth and maltreated by her stepmother. Was born with an unknown power to predict and foresee the unseen and the future of others. Due to this, she grew up timid and discriminated by people. It took great loss of lives , the near ending of her dignity and the one she loves most before she realized her inner self ( her reflection).After realizing the reason of her existence and her inner being, she stoop to conquer."MY REFLECTION" is the long awaited novel which will help you realize the reason why you were created the way you are. The reason to love and cherish yourself to enable you push through life no matter what people think or feel about you.
"Meadow is an average woman having a less than average day. Things are going wrong for her in a profound way; her boss wanted her to work extra on a Saturday when she had a regular visit to her Mother’s grave, the weather is gray and a storm threatens to make her visit worse, her spirit is low and she feels helpless.Little does she know, the events of this visit will be the turning point of her life. Meadow is about to be confronted with the supernatural on a level she has never ever expected. Almost every aspect of Her life will change due to her chance meeting with the Man she was not even looking for. If you enjoy stories about Shape Shifters, Faye, Demons and all manner of nonhuman creatures, you will enjoy this new view of the supernatural, told from an original and unique perspective.Simply His, Simply Bound, Simply Eternal is created by Barbara A. Insfran B., an EGlobal Creative Publishing signed author."
Lazing around has never been a bother and, to say, a hindrance to Josh's life. In fact, as far as he believes in, he's already living with it. The only time he felt a bit of excitement was the first time he had discovered his power. However, it only happened once, and it has been five years since then. He's already twenty-two and indifferently considers it as a thing in the past.
As he continues his normal life teaching students, he gets acquainted with the teachers in the new faculty he's in; one of whom is Jelly. He also meets a newly-hired teacher who inspires him in a way to become a better version of himself. Things are going well for them—until the day of the student council's retreat.
A strange phenomenon hits them, and it changes their lives, permanently.
Josh and Jelly are part of the select teachers who embark with the student council for Bantayan, where everything unfolds. They soon find themselves in tight situations and shocking revelations are unearthed as Josh unravels the secrets of his dormant power.
The 'Handbook to Prayer' was written by Stephen Cottrell, a significant figure known for his contributions to contemporary Christian spirituality and his role in the Church of England. Reading his works is like having a deep conversation with an old friend; he has a knack for making complex subjects accessible and relatable. Cottrell served as the Bishop of Reading and has been involved in various ministries, reaching young people and engaging communities with the message of faith. His approach is refreshingly candid, often weaving personal anecdotes into his work, which makes his writing feel alive and relevant.
Having explored several of his pieces, I've found 'Handbook to Prayer' is particularly insightful for those new to prayer or those wanting to deepen their practice. It's not just a manual; it’s an invitation into a deeper relationship with the divine that feels personal and warm. Each section feels like a stepping stone, gently guiding you through the often overwhelming landscape of prayer. As someone who wrestles with the chaos of modern life, Cottrell's clarity in this book has been a light in my own spiritual journey. Overall, it's a blend of his pastoral expertise and personal faith experiences that make this book stand out.
I've practiced both traditional prayer and 'Contemplative Prayer' for years, and the difference is stark. Traditional prayer often follows set structures—petitions, thanksgivings, recited words—like having a formal conversation. 'Contemplative Prayer' strips all that away. It’s about silent presence, sitting with the divine without agendas. No words, no requests, just being. Imagine standing in a forest, absorbing its quiet majesty instead of listing what you want from it. That’s the core. It’s less about doing and more about receiving, letting go of control to experience a deeper connection. Some find it unsettling at first—human minds crave chatter—but the stillness eventually becomes its own language.
I've studied 'Contemplative Prayer' extensively, and yes, it's deeply rooted in Christian mysticism. The practice echoes traditions from early desert fathers like Evagrius Ponticus and John Cassian, who emphasized silent communion with God. Modern iterations draw heavily from medieval mystics such as Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross, focusing on divine union beyond words. Unlike vocal prayers, this method seeks passive receptivity—letting go of thoughts to experience God's presence directly. Critics argue it blends Eastern meditation techniques, but its core aligns with Western mystical theology. For deeper reading, check out 'The Cloud of Unknowing,' a 14th-century guide that pioneered this approach.
I've found 'Contemplative Prayer' to be a game-changer for stress relief. It's not about begging for help or reciting memorized words—it's about stillness. Sitting quietly, focusing on a single word or phrase like 'peace' or 'love,' and letting thoughts pass without grabbing onto them creates this weirdly powerful mental reset. My racing thoughts slow down, my shoulders drop, and that clenched-jaw feeling fades. Research backs this up too—regular practice lowers cortisol levels. It works similarly to meditation but feels more personal. The key is consistency; ten minutes daily beats an hour once a week. Bonus? It requires zero equipment, just a chair and willingness to try.