New Seeds of Contemplation

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"It can become almost a magic word," Thomas Merton says of contemplation; "or if not magic, then inspirational, which is almost as bad." With these words, Merton takes us through the reality of contemplation, which is, the author says, "life itself, fully awake, fully active, fully aware that it is alive. It is spiritual wonder." Above all, contemplation is "awareness of the reality" of the Source, "with a certitude that goes beyond reason and beyond simple faith." As these definitions should suggest, in this 20th-century classic on the contemplative life, as in the best of Merton's work, this Trappist monk wonderfully combines a disciplined and deeply learned intellect with the lyrical passion of the poet. It is this rare combination that makes this book not only informative but also moving. Covering a diverse range of subjects ("Faith," "The Night of the Senses," "Renunciation"), it moves the reader through certain traditional "phases" of contemplation, and gives an idea of what to expect in this spiritual process (including despair and darkness). The book describes, but it also enacts. In its own prose it invites the reader to "cast our awful solemnity to the winds and join in the general dance." --Doug Thorpe

Product Description

One of Father Thomas Merton's most widely read, translated and beloved books is once again available in audio form. This invaluable reflection on meditation awakens the heart through a spiritual journey inside what makes us human. It guides the listener through a very personal soul searching toward the goal of contemplative spirituality and enlightenment. No book in modern times so defines the modern meditative tradition.

Customer Reviews:

Profound.......2007-07-24

One of Merton's deepest books, especially for the contrast between the false self and the true self.

New Seeds for the times!.......2007-06-13

New Seeds of Contemplation is a much needed book for our times. It is a guide to help seekers establish a connection between themselves and the divine. It is an extremely important counter-weight against the Fundamentalism that we are seeing today. Thomas Merton is a great guide and teacher to all those who are seekers.

Merton's New Seeds of Contemplation.......2007-04-11

"New Seeds" is Merton at his best. As a University Professor of Religion (now retired for ten years), I have used Merton's books for at least thirty five years, and to the great acclaim and enthusiasm of my students. I ordered this book recently after having worn out two previous editions that now look as if they had fallen prey to rats in the attic. Whatever your religious orientation or lack thereof, you will find Merton an honest blessing.

Powerful contemplative spirituality standing in a world of action.......2007-02-28

In 'New Seeds of Contemplation' Thomas Merton, in the terse style of the monastic tradition, describes the fruits and hardships of the life totally dedicated to contemplation and prayer. Despite being a master of the word, Merton never decorates his words with flowery qualifications or ornate rhetoric, but instead writes in a very precise, pointed and clear manner, often with a bluntness which seems to prick the reader to the very core.

The path to God, in Merton's eyes, can take place in an instant, or over many years of struggle. The struggle is never really to unite with God himself, since God loves all of us dearly and wants the most intimate union with each and every one of us, but rather in letting go of every aspect of our selfishness and egoism which makes us turn from God and to our own power and resources, the part which happily says I can do it all on my own, I don't need you, to God. This in Merton's view is the fruit of original sin, the rule of the 'false self' of the ego over our 'true self', which is our own image, made in the image of God himself.

At times Merton sounds like a Zen monk, saying there is no path and no goal, and at other times we are already there but don't know it. I don't think though Merton unconciously injects Eastern spirituality, rather, his insights are much like those of John of Cross, Ruusbroec, Evagrius or Meister Eckhart, who like Merton emphasize the need to self-empty into a deep poverty of sense and spirit before the soul is ready for the awesome and majestic prescence of the Holy, Living God who is the object of all prayful Christian life. In losing our life we find it; and in so doing we find a peace which surpasses understanding. This is the mustard seed from which the spiritual life grows, and it has few better modern exponents than Merton.

The great Classic on Contemplation and Spitiruality.......2007-02-14

New Seeds of Contemplation, Thomas Merton. New Directions, 1961; Shambhala Publications Corporation, Revised edition, 2002. Quotes from New Directions.

This spiritual classic of Christian writing (Pearl's favorite) is divided into 39 brief chapters (seeds), each written in a meditative style modeled after similar works by Pascal, St. John of the Cross, and Thomas à Kempis. It is the most widely read of Merton's works. It contains many wonderful entries on the true and false self and the metaphor of the seed as gifts and grace. The book covers a diverse range of subjects, "Faith," "The Night of the Senses," "Renunciation," and it moves the reader through certain traditional "phases" of contemplation, and gives an idea of what to expect in this spiritual process (including despair and darkness). In this highly quotable work, here is but one example:

Every moment and every event of every man's life on earth plants something in his soul. For just as the wind carries thousands of invisible and visible winged seeds, so the stream of time brings with it germs of spiritual vitality that come to rest imperceptibly in the minds and wills of men. Most of these unnumbered seeds perish and are lost, because men are not prepared to receive them: for such seeds as these cannot spring up anywhere except in the good soil of freedom, spontaneity and love. . . . But every expression of the will of God is in some sense a "word" of God and therefore a "seed" of new life. (p. 14).

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was a Cistercian (Trappist) monk, a branch of the Benedictines, who, though raised with limited exposure to Christianity, found himself inexorably drawn to Roman Catholicism and the life of a priest and monk. His life before the monastery was filled with loss, raucous behavior, brilliant academics, and the ever deepening call of Christ. (See his autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain). Within the monastery and the Church, he was a rebellious and creative force for change, writing on behalf of the civil right's struggle, poverty, against the Vietnam war (until silenced by the Vatican and then lifted at the start of Vatican II), and pushing the monastery into the return to a more contemplative life style against its growing dependancy on the business and "noise" of making and selling products to the public. As an ecumenist, he was largely responsible for today's Christian-Buddhist connection, and the reintroduction of Christian Meditation often called Centering Prayer.

There is much in this work of Merton - writing as a mystic - one who aims at the unitive experience with God through self transformation. Mysticism goes back to the earliest Christian times even in the New Testament where Paul wrote in Galatians: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Mystics are hard to grasp by nature, as Merton can be at times in this book, because they are trying to capture the ineffable through paradox, compressed phraseology, nuance and allusion.

For the contemplative there is no cogito ("I think") and no ergo ("therefore") but only SUM, I Am. Not in the sense of a futile assertion of our individuality was the sense of a futile assertion of our individuality as ultimately real, but in the humble realization of our mysterious being as persons in whom God dwells, with infinite sweetness and inalienable power. (p. 9)

Merton was a world figure who, aside for medical trips into Louisville, KY, left Gethsemane Abbey only once on a fatal trip to a Bangkok conference where he was accidentally electrocuted coming from a shower and grasping a poorly grounded floor fan. Merton was a mental giant whose 60-some books, five hundred-plus articles, journals, letters, translations and poetry influenced millions including Pope John XXIII, Nobel Laureates, the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Martin Luther King, Jr who planned to visit Merton following his fateful Memphis trip.

In print for more than forty years, New Seeds of Contemplation is one of his most accessible and timeless books. It is as fresh today as when it was penned. Contemplation means taking time to get behind the busyness, noise, wordiness, and information overload of today's world. Contemplative prayer does not replace all other types of prayer; it simply balances words and activity with silence and repose.

Countless books have been and continue to be written about his life and ideas. For a list of such works visit the web site of The Thomas Merton Center at [...] as well as a unique bookstore dedicated to him: Bardstown Art Gallery * 214 West Stephen Foster Ave. * Bardstown, KY (502) 348-6488 jcantrell@thomasmertonbooks.com.

Merton was troubled by what he saw as the de-sacralization of the world. Humans had been so overtaken by industrialization that they had traded in their role as workers and creators to become tools of production and profit. Can we not say the same today? If you are seeking and cannot find, let this penetrating collection of observations concerning the life of prayer and the search for God be your guide.

John L Laughlin

Average customer rating:

Great for VERY specific type of child
Juneau 2nd grader
Strange word choices; does not work as a board book
not the best for intended age group
LOVE IT!!!

The Tiny Seed (Aladdin Picture Books)

Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0689842449

Book Description

In autumn, a strong wind blows flower seeds high in the air and carries them far across the land. One by one, many of the seeds are lost -- burned by the sun, fallen into the ocean, eaten by a bird. But some survive the long winter and, come spring, sprout into plants, facing new dangers -- trampled by playing children, picked as a gift for a friend. Soon only the tiniest seed remains, growing into a giant flower and, when autumn returns, sending its own seeds into the wind to start the process over again.

Eric Carle's eloquent text and brilliant collages turn the simple life cycle of a plant into an exciting story, a nature lesson, and an inspiring message of the importance of perseverance.

Customer Reviews:

Great for VERY specific type of child.......2007-08-16

My son has been fascinated with this book. He understands so much more than I gave him credit for. He's only 2.5 years old, but he's EXTREMELY verbal and very bright when it comes to books. However, I agree with the english teacher/mommy that it is NOT for the average toddler. I think a bright preschooler or for the child who is fascinated with plants and flowers, it is quite appropriate. I can see an OLDER child in first, second or third grade getting more out of it science wise, but that doesn't mean that a toddler can't enjoy it. I remember reading books and understanding more and more of the details as I got older, which made it a "new" book for me with each passing year, if that makes sense. I re-discovered the story or read it in a new way with more life experience with which to process it. So with that in mind, I think it's a terrific book overall. I do not find it at all disturbing that a seed should drown or burn up. It's a fact of life that seeds don't all survive. If you think of it in terms of humans, sure it's disturbing, but I think that's a paralell that cannot and will not be drawn by a toddler, preschooler or even a young elementary school child. In my view, the English teacher is reading too much into that and reading the book from the viewpoint of an adult with a whole lot more life experience. HOWEVER, I totally agree that the book ends abruptly, which is why I add my own ending when I read it to my child which goes something like this, "and off the seeds sail in the wind to hopefully become beautiful plants and flowers NEXT spring. The end." I'm kind of surprised nobody told Eric Carle or his publisher that the ending was too abrupt. But it's not a big deal. Eric Carle's biggest hits with my son have been "Head to Toe", "The Very Hungry Catepillar," and "Brown Bear, Brown Bear," as well as this title. The rest have been a flop. Luckily we check them out at the library and do a test run on them first. :)

Juneau 2nd grader.......2007-03-21

Did you know that the tallest sunflower in the world is 25 feet tall? Well,now you know. This book, The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle, might give you an idea how that happened. This book may also give your girl or boy a message, that if you're strong you can do almost everything.

Strange word choices; does not work as a board book.......2006-07-25

I understand the power of overcoming adversity, but as the seeds travel, one of the "drowns," one dies in the desert, one is eaten by a bird...I think it is a disturbing little book, actually. It certainly should never have been made into a board book. There are too many words on the page to keep the attention of a toddler or preschooler. The ending seems abrupt as well. I haven't been impressed with the Carle books I have read.

not the best for intended age group.......2005-07-25

I think this book is fine, but not for the preschool crowd. I would use it with older children -- elementary age -- to discuss the life cycle of an annual, the role of the seasons, and the challenges of reproduction which must be overcome by all plants. The Tiny Seed introduces us to many of the hazards faced by seeds and seedlings as they attempt to grow (from falling in water and drowning, being eaten by birds or mice, being overshadowed by large weeds, being stepped on by children, and more) and shows how the ideal environment is a necessity. It covers the role of sunshine and rain, how the seed swells and bursts open, how the plant develops as it grows, and how it produces and disperses its seeds to carry on the next generation. It's not a book for small children, though, since its mostly non-fiction tone is dry, the phrases are stilted, and it doesn't read aloud well. I find it difficult to "cheer on" the tiny seed; where others see him as a hero facing difficult odds, I think the book is too grimly determined to be educational and becomes boring for the youngest child. If you want a book to introduce a unit on seed dispersal, this is the one. If you want to talk with your three year old about the cycle of the seasons, you'd be better off with the Spring/Summer/Autumn/Winter collection by Gerda Muller.

LOVE IT!!!.......2003-08-23

I absolutely adore this book! It is soooooo well written! Its pictures are absolutely beautiful! This book is a must for anyone with children! It is just that good! You should buy this book right away! I PROMISE that you will LOVE it too!

The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow (Magic School Bus)

Average customer rating:

Fantastic
Excellent Read for Young Curious Minds...
The earlier books are much better
Great fun!

The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow (Magic School Bus)
Joanna Cole
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0590222961

Book Description

Ms. Frizzle's class is growing a beautiful garden. But, Phoebe's plot is empty. Her flowers are back at her old school! So, the class climbs aboard the Magic School Bus. And, of course, the kids don't only go back to Phoebe's school, but they go inside one of Phoebe's flowers! Follow the kids' adventure and learn how living things grow.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic.......2007-06-12

My son was so excited because we planted seeds a nd watched what happened in "real' life as explained by the book.

Excellent Read for Young Curious Minds..........2006-05-30

As a 3rd Grade School Teacher, I found this book instrumental to my lessons on plant life. Ms. Drizzle and her class answer many of the questions my students come up with before we've read the book so I know that we're reading the right materials for our lessons. Great series for the imagination and for provoking interest in the sciences early in the child's development.

The earlier books are much better.......2004-09-12

We were given a copy of "Magic Schoolbus and the Ocean Floor" as a gift. I then bought "Dinosaurs" and "Senses." There is a difference between the books written only by Joanna Cole and the later books that are basically a comic-book version of the TV show. It takes us a solid 45 minutes to read "Senses", and I even learned some facts. "Plants Seeds" is about a 15 minute read-aloud. I say stick with the earlier books.

Great fun!.......2000-04-04

I enjoyed this book very much because it is such a fun way to learn about science. This is the first of many Magic School Bus books I purchased, and I've been hooked ever since.

A Seed Grows : My First Look at a Plant's Life Cycle (My First Look at Nature)

Average customer rating:

Excellent book on the plant life cycle
A Great Collection
Fun and Facts!

A Seed Grows : My First Look at a Plant's Life Cycle (My First Look at Nature)
Pamela Hickman
Manufacturer: Kids Can Press, Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1550742000

Book Description

The My First Look at series provides young chidren with an introduction to the world around them. In A Seed Grows, follow the growth of a plant, from a peek inside a sprouting seed to the harvest of the fruit. The book suggests ways parents and children can explore nature - without disturbing it.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent book on the plant life cycle.......2007-01-31

The life cycle of a plant from seed to seed is beautifully illustrated and told as a story in the rhythmic pattern of the "House that Jack Built". Each page has a flap and under each flap is more information about plants, the garden and its other inhabitants. My 3 year old enjoyed the book and the flaps. I'm not crazy about the flaps because I'm afraid he is going to tear them up, but that is my only complaint about the book. The illustrations are detailed and visually interesting. It kept my small childs attention and he would have liked that I left the book with him. An improvement would be to republish the book with all the same information but make it a board book and no flaps.

A Great Collection.......2003-03-25

This book has been great fun to use while planting our garden. It helps speed the process along to show what will happen next, plus has great illustrations to show what happens under the ground. This entire series of books is top-rate.

Fun and Facts!.......2000-01-27

I really enjoyed this book that I donated to our school library. I seldom see books that are both non fiction and fiction in one edition. The illustrations were great and the flip format was fun.

The Encyclopedia of Seeds: Science, Technology and Uses

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The Encyclopedia of Seeds: Science, Technology and Uses

Manufacturer: CABI
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0851997236

Book Description

This is the first scholarly reference work to cover all the major scientific themes and facets of the subject of seeds. It outlines the latest fundamental biological knowledge about seeds, together with the principles of agricultural seed processing, storage and sowing, the food and industrial
uses of seeds, and the roles of seeds in history, economies and cultures.

With contributions from 110 expert authors worldwide, the editors have created 560 authoritative articles, illustrated with plentiful tables, figures, black-and-white and color photographs, suggested further reading matter and 670 supplementary definitions. The contents are alphabetically arranged
and cross-referenced to connect related entries.

Seed Development, Dormancy, and Germination (Annual Plant Reviews)

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Seed Development, Dormancy, and Germination (Annual Plant Reviews)
Kent, Ed. Bradford
Manufacturer: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1405139838

Book Description

The formation, dispersal and germination of seeds are crucial stages in the life cycles of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants. The unique properties of seeds, particularly their tolerance to desiccation, their mobility, and their ability to schedule their germination to coincide with times when environmental conditions are favorable to their survival as seedlings, have no doubt contributed significantly to the success of seed-bearing plants. Humans are also dependent upon seeds, which constitute the majority of the worldrsquo;s staple foods (e.g., cereals and legumes). Seeds are an excellent system for studying fundamental developmental processes in plant biology, as they develop from a single fertilized zygote into an embryo and endosperm, in association with the surrounding maternal tissues. As genetic and molecular approaches have become increasingly powerful tools for biological research, seeds have become an attractive system in which to study a wide array of metabolic processes and regulatory systems. Seed Development, Dormancy and Germination provides a comprehensive overview of seed biology from the point of view of the developmental and regulatory processes that are involved in the transition from a developing seed through dormancy and into germination and seedling growth. It examines the complexity of the environmental, physiological, molecular and genetic interactions that occur through the life cycle of seeds, along with the concepts and approaches used to analyze seed dormancy and germination behavior. It also identifies the current challenges and remaining questions for future research. The book is directed at plant developmental biologists, geneticists, plant breeders, seed biologists and graduate students.

Average customer rating:

Seeds for more thought
From The Merton Seasonal

Seeds
Thomas Merton
Manufacturer: Shambhala
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1570629307
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Book Description

Thomas Merton is often considered the most prominent Christian contemplative of the twentieth century, but he was also a political activist, social visionary, and literary figure whose writings combine the candor of Thoreau and the moral vision of Gandhi. Here is a remarkably accessible introduction to his work: a collection of a short, vivid excerpts arranged in four parts so as to parallel the journey of a seeking soul in the modern world. "Real and False Selves" distinguishes between our real selves, a deep religious mystery known entirely only to God, and the identities we take on in order to function in society. "The World We Live In" provides a spiritual context to modern life, moving from a stark rejection of its empty promises to a deep compassion for its tragic limitations. "Antidotes to Illusion" reflects on contemplative practices that can serve as the allies of our "real selves" in the battle against illusion: silence, solitude, meditation, prayer, charity, and faith. "Love in Action" explores the role of the contemplative in the modern age and the challenges and pitfalls of living a life of active love. Merton's startling critique of a society driven by technology and rampant acquisition, the politics of "good versus evil," and the self-deluding complacency of the spiritual "lifestyle" demonstrate beyond doubt that his writings are as urgent today as they were in his lifetime.

Customer Reviews:

Seeds for more thought.......2005-01-13

I think this book works best if it's not read, but rather the paragraphs used as meditations to provoke thought. As Merton says "As soon as any thought stimulated your mind or your heart you can put the book down because your meditation has begun". Some of the selections and categorization of paragraphs may seem contrived, but the strength of this book is the strong and often poetic paragraphs (for example "Every blade of grass is an angel singing in a shower of glory"). Merton continues to provoke controversy in the Catholic Church, and was recently taken out of a new Roman Catholic handbook on church teachings. Some of the conservative critics are against the monk's later exploration of Buddhism, but the selections in this book clearly show there was never any question of Merton losing faith. The editor Robert Ichausti has selected various paragraphs from Thomas Merton's writings, and organized them topically.

The first section "The Real and False Selves" states radical need.
"If we follow nothing but our natures, our own philosophies, our own level of ethics, we will end up in hell". His understanding of the shadow self, reminded me of Jung.

The second section "The World we live on", has thoughts about science and technology. Reading this in Louisville, I was struck by "Compare our monastery and the General Electric plant in Louisville. Which one is more serious and more "religious" institution?". Some of these paragraphs are influenced by Albert Camus and "The Myth of Sisyphus".

The longest section on "Antidotes to Illusion" has meditations on truth, silence, prayer, and humility. Here is presented and utmost respect for silence "But there is no true intimacy between souls who do not know how to respect one another's solitude". There are paragraphs seemingly influenced by Kierkegaard. There is humility and "We must approach our meditation realizing that "grace", "mercy", and "faith" ... "are constantly renewed gifts". You will also be introduced to St. Benedict Joseph Labre, who lived a life of humility and poverty. Finally, I leave you with Merton's own admonition "Dance in this sun, you tepid idiot".

From The Merton Seasonal.......2003-05-08

So, you think you've read Merton? Having enjoyed Robert Inchausti's wonderful and fresh presentation of Merton as an intellectual in Thomas Merton v American Prophecy (1997), I was excited to learn of his second book on Merton, simply titled Seeds. My excitement quickly faded, though, when I discovered that this second book would consist largely of quotations from Merton's oeuvre, and not new and original material from Inchausti's own pen. I thought: haven't we already read this? Then I began reading the book, my embarrassment growing with each turned page full of pearls. Inchausti has not merely selected and edited a fine collection of Merton's words, he has handcrafted a beautiful bracelet of precious jewels, each sparkling in its own right, but in this new setting the gems dazzle with spectacular brilliance. The book is resplendent.

The book may be read (worn) any time of the day, for it works in a variety of ways for readers. For one, it serves as a good introduction to Meiton's thought, covering a range of themes presented in full paragraph-sized reflections, and includes both a concise yet colorful biographical essay by Inchausti and a short annotated bibliography of tapes and books for suggested further reading. Each quotation is followed by a parenthetical reference to the original work and (God bless Robert!) the page number. Thirty-five sources are used to supply the substantive quotations.

A second way in which the book may be read is as a source for meditation; it should be read slowly, reflectively, and would be excellent for retreat purposes. It is technically possible to read this deceptively slim volume quickly, but that would greatly depend on how one defined the act of reading. It is more probable that one will read a page or two at the most, at one sitting, digesting slowly before the next meal hours or days later.

Because the selections are arranged thematically. the book would serve well, too, as either a primary or supplemental text in courses, workshops or seminars on Merton. Four interconnected themes function as guides to Merton s approach to contemplative insight and cultural criticism, dividing the book into four parts: Part 1 deals with our "Real and False Selves"; Part II examines problems posed by the city, technology and pseudo-events in "The World We Live In"; Part III represents the largest grouping of passages, which are arranged as "Antidotes to Illusion" exemplified by truth, silence and humility, among others; Part IV deals with "Love In Action," particularly nonviolence. Inchausti appears concerned here with Merton s method of thinking, his intellectual hermeneutic, although he is wise not to imply that Merton worked through his reasoning processes like a technician. Giant themes loom large in Merton's mental sky, hut Inchausti's categorization is helpful in bringing them down to earth, reminding us that is so much still to learn and apply from Merton. Clearly, Merton was a teacher and Inchausti proves Merton is also teachable.

Of course the one-word title, Seeds, is a fundamental term in Merton's vocabulary and a touchstone for Merton readers. The cover of the book features a photograph of Merton framed subtly by a smooth version of the canvas binding of Merton's 1949 hardbound Seeds of Contemplation. The photo, a favorite of many Merton fans, captures him with his sleeves rolled up, wearing a ball cap, slightly crooked, his arms poised at his sides ready to work, or to be fitted with boxing gloves, or maybe to find out who has the fastest draw in Kentucky. In essence, Merton appears ready to tackle the world, but his facial expression bears the rugged experience of one who has done it before but who now knows the secret of weathered patience.

Seeds is published by Shambhala, a popular and prominent press devoted largely to Eastern philosophy and religion, but which also publishes a limited collection of Christian classics, including Merton's own Thoughts in Solitude. Those who are familiar with Merton's interest and writings on Eastern thought would not be surprised at the inclusion, but what is surprising is that there is no advertising pitch to a new wave readership. I had expected there would be some kind of slanted "hook" in the book to catch new fish, at least a cast thrown on the back cover, but there was none. Merton stood on his own two feet when he was alive and he is presented that way in this book.

The heart of the book lies in the paragraph seeds. Inchausti's rationale as editor strikes me as quite solid in claiming that Merton "thought and composed in paragraphs that modeled his own reflective thought processes: single ideas growing thematically, lyrically, and dialectically out of themselves, making unexpected connections, and then emerging into surprising new epiphanies. If the rhetoric of Merton's longer works can sometimes be formidable, his paragraphs are always accessible, poignant, and revelatory" (xvi).

Reading this book slowly over a period of weeks has made it a new favorite of mine. Not only do I have greater esteem for the true art of editing, I have gained a deeper appreciation for the coherence in and of Merton's vast statements. Most of the quotations will be familiar to students of Merton, but the perceptive juxtaposition of statements, thematically, reveals Inchausti's gift for discernment. Merton is often characterized, and rightly so, as a person of paradox; he runs when you chase him. He sought no followers and remains difficult to pin down, package and label. This does not mean, though, that he lacked coherence. Inchausti highlights this coherence by stringing insight after insight together. There are no ramblings, no incidentals, no tangents, no filler, no superfluous content in Seeds. The book relays the undiluted purity of Merton's thought, and the epiphanies recorded here are too profound to read in succession without affecting the reader. Ironically, this collection underlines the vitality of seemingly extraneous material in the larger context of Merton's published works, particularly in regard to his private and public journals: one needs the frequent aside, like a bench, to catch one's breath. Seeds, however, is a bright, constant spotlight, and one cannot look into it very long. But like a good spotlight it helps illuminate a wide territory, and helps us focus on things we may have missed using our own flashlights. Reading Seeds is reading Merton at the highest wattage.

I cannot find any fault with the book, unless one were to quibble about a beloved passage left out or a specific source not referenced. I heartily recommend purchasing this book, not merely to add to one's shelf of Merton collectibles, but to read it, stunned by its beauty. It glitters with sapphires, rubies and emeralds, each flashing with extraordinary power. These jeweled seeds are planted in rows, to be sure, but to walk in this garden is to be flowered with uncut epiphanies. Everything fits and radiates here.

I thought I had read Merton.. . and then I walked into Inchausti's garden of diamonds.

Gray Matthews is Assistant Professor of Communication at the University of Memphis. Memphis, TN. He teaches courses in listening, dialogue, community and place. and conflict resolution and is presently teaching an introductory course on Merton sponsored by the Diocese of West Tennessee. An active member of the ITMS. coordinator for the Memphis Chapter. he is married with two daughters and a Springer spaniel named Woody.

From The Merton Seasonal: The Quarterly Review of the International Thomas Merton Society, Spring 2003

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An oversized format/presentation to display close-up photos and electron microscopy images

Stunning Photos

Seeds: Time Capsules of Life
Rob Kesseler , and Wolfgang Stuppy
Manufacturer: Firefly Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1554072212

Book Description

A remarkable collaboration of art and science celebrating the diversity of seeds.

An orchid seed may be minuscule, so small and light that one gram contains more than 7.5 million seeds. In contrast, a single-seeded Seychelles seed is a nut weighing up to 20 pounds. All seeds have the same purpose -- to travel through time and space until they reach the right place at the right moment to create a new plant.

This large-format book melds art and science in an authoritative examination of the design and function of seeds. Special light and scanning electron microscopy are used to obtain astonishing images of diverse seeds at various states of maturity. Pods, pouches, keys, nuts and other vehicles of dispersal are explained and illustrated.

These time capsules of life for plants familiar and strange are presented in minute, beautiful detail. Microphotographs of the tiniest seeds and extraordinarily detailed cutaway images of larger seeds are combined with text that explains the formation and maturation of seeds and describes how they find their way to becoming a copy of the parent plant. Literary references to plant reproduction are featured as well, along with early botanical illustrations.

Authoritative and richly illustrated, Seeds offers a fascinating and intimate look at the remarkable reproductive process of plants.

Customer Reviews:

An oversized format/presentation to display close-up photos and electron microscopy images.......2007-05-08

The general-interest public will find more accessible Rob Kesseler and Wolfgang Stuppy's SEEDS: TIME CAPSULES OF LIFE. Alexandra Papadakis edits this stunning natural history of seeds, which uses an oversized format/presentation to display close-up photos and electron microscopy images of seed evolution. The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew are involved in this reference's publication, which obtains some astonishing images and focuses on the diversity, design and function of seeds the world over.

Stunning Photos.......2007-02-06

This book and the companion book "Pollen" will wow both professionals and layman. Buy it just for the beauty of the superb photos or for the detailed data. Lay these books out on the coffee table and you can be sure they will be picked up over and over again. The photos mezmerize with the sheer magnitude of nature's design.

Dispersal Biology of Desert Plants (Adaptations of Desert Organisms)

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Dispersal Biology of Desert Plants (Adaptations of Desert Organisms)
Karen van Rheede van Oudtshoorn , and Margaretha W. van Rooyen
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3540648860

Book Description

Dispersal processes have important effects on plant distribution and abundance. Although adaptations to long range dispersal (telechory) are by no means rare in desert plants, many desert plant species do not possess any features to promote dispersal (atelechory), while others have structures that hamper dispersal (antitelechory). The high frequency with which atelechorous and antitelechorous mechanisms are present in plants inhabiting arid areas indicates the importance of these adaptations. Among the benefits derived from these adaptations are the spreading of germination over time, the provision of suitable conditions for germination and subsequent seedling establishment, and the maintenance of a reservoir of available seeds (seed bank). This book describes the ways and means - anatomical, morphological and ecological - by which dispersal in desert plants has evolved to ensure the survival of these species in their harsh and unpredictable environment.

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Seeding Made Easy

Ball Culture Guide
Jim Nau
Manufacturer: Ball Publishing
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 188305219X

Customer Reviews:

Seeding Made Easy.......2001-07-18

Whether you're a home grower or beginning a commercial/retail greenhouse you'll find this book to be one of the best tools at your disposal. The tabled information is clear, concise, consistantly conveyed, and very easy to understand. Information includes germination temperature, light requirements, grow-on conditions, days to finishing/sales, and much more. I have used this book as my sole reference for production and have had great success, even with the more difficult seeds to germinate.

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