The Seven Storey Mountain

Merton describes the ultimate gift God gives everyone: grace. In February 1937, the young Merton visits a bookstore with only a few dollars and buys a few books, including The Spirit of Medieval Philosophy by Etienne Gilson which he starts reading on the train ride home. He feels duped when he finds out Gilson is a Catholic philosopher. Looking back, he acknowledges that reading Gilson’s book made him realize that the concept of God was much more sophisticated and mysterious than the superstitious notions he was familiar with. The later Merton attributes his faith to the friendships he formed at Columbia, like his friendship with the pensive Robert Lax, and also to reading books like Aldous Huxley’s Ends and Means.

He meets a Hindu monk who inspires him on his Christian journey, surprising Merton by recommending that he read the Imitation of Christ and other works of Christian spirituality. He considers the meaning of asceticism. Merton begins writing his thesis in September 1938. Merton goes to the Catholic church and fully connects with the idea of the Trinity. He tells the girl he is seeing that he is contemplating going to the Union Theological Seminary.

As World War II looms and talk of Hitler increases, Merton’s interest in worldly affairs diminishes and is replaced by a deep sense of calling that compels him to begin his journey.