Thomas Merton (1915-1968), Catholic convert, Cistercian monk and hermit, poet, contemplative, social critic, and pioneer of interreligious dialogue, was a seminal figure of twentieth-century American Christianity.

. . . the clear, simple, and unsophisticated summary of Saint Bernard's thought given here is sound for non-specialists, not just for monks and nuns, but for all Christians interested in the life of prayerJean Leclercq

• Table of ContentsForeword by Brother Patrick Hart   7Introduction by Jean Leclercq   11Part One: ACTION AND CONTEMPLATION IN ST BERNARD1.  Action and Contemplation in the Mystery of Christ   232.  Action in the Monastic Life   383.  The Contemplative Life   454.  The Apostolate   595.  Action and Contemplation in the Blessed Virgin Mary   79Part Two: ST BERNARD ON INTERIOR SIMPLICITY1.  Man’s Original Simplicity   1112.  Intellectual Simplicity   1213.  The Simplification of the Will   1374.  Perfect Simplicity: Unity of Spirit with God   153Part Three: TRANSFORMING UNION IN ST BERARD OF CLAIRVAUX AND ST JOHN OF THE CROSS1.  The Subject of Transforming Union   1652.  The Ontology of the Transformation   1743.  Spiritual Betrothal and Marriage   1894.  Mystical Marriage in St Bernard   2025. The State of Pure Love   212ABBREVIATIONS   240

Thomas Merton (1915-1968), Catholic convert, Cistercian monk and hermit, poet, contemplative, social critic, and pioneer of interreligious dialogue, was a seminal figure of twentieth-century American Christianity.

. . . the clear, simple, and unsophisticated summary of Saint Bernard's thought given here is sound for non-specialists, not just for monks and nuns, but for all Christians interested in the life of prayerJean Leclercq

• Table of ContentsForeword by Brother Patrick Hart   7Introduction by Jean Leclercq   11Part One: ACTION AND CONTEMPLATION IN ST BERNARD1.  Action and Contemplation in the Mystery of Christ   232.  Action in the Monastic Life   383.  The Contemplative Life   454.  The Apostolate   595.  Action and Contemplation in the Blessed Virgin Mary   79Part Two: ST BERNARD ON INTERIOR SIMPLICITY1.  Man’s Original Simplicity   1112.  Intellectual Simplicity   1213.  The Simplification of the Will   1374.  Perfect Simplicity: Unity of Spirit with God   153Part Three: TRANSFORMING UNION IN ST BERARD OF CLAIRVAUX AND ST JOHN OF THE CROSS1.  The Subject of Transforming Union   1652.  The Ontology of the Transformation   1743.  Spiritual Betrothal and Marriage   1894.  Mystical Marriage in St Bernard   2025. The State of Pure Love   212ABBREVIATIONS   240