a thread on pacifism led to some posts on merton. my only addition to shane's post below....merton was a staunch sacramentalist who believed deeply in the exchange of simple elements of bread and wine. he had his eastern bent, but his daily life evolved around the psalms and eucharist and that remained constant up to his untimely end. he was essentially catholic. and a pacifist. and he was at the end, and in his purest stage, a simple monk with a loving heart. that said, shane's post on merton was pretty damn exact and accurate.
some people have left the list. i've always felt that leaving the list is a good thing if one feels so inclined. i'll miss vince and roberto. they both held peaceful presences here on the list. but again, it remains the lister's choice to leave. i have to hope it was right for them. but i hope they both come back in due time. pat > Thomas was always first and foremost > interested in the mystical and poetic side of life, and became a > devout practitioner of meditation.
