Thomas Merton on the Twelve Steps of Humility

You are invited to hear some of Thomas Merton’s most impassioned lectures.

In 1962 at Gethsemani Abbey, Thomas Merton taught an extraordinary course on the heart of Benedictine spirituality. Through 16 digitally remastered recordings, you will encounter Merton as a master teacher, his voice reaching out across the decades to make monastic wisdom accessible to all of us. The Rule of St. Benedict is foundational in the history of Western spirituality, especially in its commentary on humility. This work of spiritual genius has guided the monastic movement since the sixth century and touched countless Christians. Merton brings new energy to this ancient document, and you will gain new insights into the rule and experience another side of Merton's personality.

The uniqueness of this series lies in how it transports you to the classroom of the monastery. You will listen to the way Merton teaches through his interaction with his students as he shares his reflections with them. You will also witness how Merton works through the material, integrating the virtue of humility into his own life.

All of us struggle with humility. In this course, you will examine what it means with a great mystic who personally struggled to live this foundational virtue. You will encounter St. Benedict, gain new insights on humility, and get to know Thomas Merton as a great teacher.

This course is part of the Learn25 collection.

Photograph of Thomas Merton by Sibylle Akers. Used with permission of the Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University.