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I have just finished reading the book, BECOMING WHO YOU ARE: INSIGHTS
ON THE TRUE SELF FROM THOMAS MERTON AND OTHER SAINTS. The book was
written by James Martin, S.J., and grew out of a January 2005 lecture
he delivered at Corpus Christi Church in New York city -- the church
where Merton was baptized, received his first communion, and attended
his first confession. His book was particularly interesting in the
way it integrated the work of Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen on the
true self.
I came away with a few questions that others who have studied "the
true self" in more depth might be able to answer.
1. Almost all religions teach their followers a course of conduct for
their daily lives; most of these same religions also caution their
members to avoid sin. It seems Merton's running hypothesis is that
the false self contains pretentions and pride and other aspects of
trying to gain public approval, whereas the true self embodies the
concept of union with God and therefore avoiding or the absence of sin.
How is Merton's definition of the true self and search for the true
self any different than the 2,500 year old prescription (dating back
to Moses and the 10 Commandments) to have religious thoughts and
motivations during ordinary tasks of living and avoid occasions of sin?
"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." Wouldn't
Merton argue those who violate this commandment are doing so for the
false self: the sense that they can gain favor by gossiping or seem
more important by making bold accusations?
2. What happens if the true self leads a person to have less religion
or less emphasis on God in his or her daily life? That would seem to
violate Merton's thesis that finding the true self will lead to place
greater emphasis on the soul, spiritual matters, and God dwelling
within us.
Examples. Suppose a religious writer repeatedly experiences doubts
about his chosen profession (much like Merton did periodically
throughout his life). This writer learns about an opportunity to
become managing editor of a newspaper. After years focused on writing
a religious column, this person is excited and invigorated at the
prospect of churning out a daily newspaper. He ultimately decides he
wants to spend 50-hour work weeks on the newspaper, but obviously he
will no longer have as much time for religious reading, writing, and
study. Can his "true self" lead him to give up a religious profession
in favor of a non-religious one, and spend less time thinking and
writing about God?
Second example. A young French shepherdess wants to grow up, get
married, raise a small family, and continue to be a shepherdess. This
goal is what will make her truly happy. But she was more or less
pushed into the convent by her well-meaning pastor. She was never
happy in the convent, and ultimately died at an early age in her 30s.
[This is a true story; the person is semi-famous (more on that
later)]. Pursuing "her true self" would have led her to happiness, but
with less time spent on prayer and religious study, and more time
spent on household chores, tending to the sheep, and other domestic
issues.
Can pursuing "the true self" lead one to change course and achieve
happiness by spending less time on God and more time on earthly
pursuits? Even as a shepherdess and mother, this woman would have had
time for prayers, but not as much time as she had in the cloistered
convent.
Mike
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