Finding Peace In The Midst Of Chaos With Thomas Merton

Find peace and guidance in the midst of uncertainty with this uplifting meditation inspired by the profound prayer of Thomas Merton. As you listen, you'll be reassured that amidst life's uncertainties and the unknown path ahead, you are never alone. The meditation that resembles Psalm 23 gently encourages acceptance of uncertainty and fosters trust that, even in moments of feeling lost, the presence of God ensures you are never left to face your challenges alone.

Transcript

And sometimes when our lives go all topsy turvy,

It can be difficult to have any sort of faith,

Yet all the turbulence,

All the confusion can leave you feeling disempowered to the point that you just don't know where to go.

You don't even see any sort of path.

And it can just feel like everything surrounds you is just giving you more confusion,

More sense of scatteredness.

And this is a call for you to sit and remember that you are not alone,

That you're not the first person or the last person who experienced this.

And when I experienced this,

I turned to the words of Thomas Merton,

Who,

Although he has written some beautiful words about solitude and silence,

He too struggled.

He too felt very scattered and pulled apart to the point that he didn't know where to go himself.

So as you hear these words from Thomas Merton,

Imagine yourself sitting in a circle with others who are feeling the same thing,

And you're spiritually joining hands with them and taking a deep breath together as one,

And sighing out,

Feeling that sense of communion with others who feel that they're lost.

And then as one,

We lift our chin slightly as we pray together,

My Lord God,

I have no idea where I'm going.

I do not see the road ahead of me.

I cannot know for certain where it will end,

Nor do I really know myself.

And the fact that I think I'm following your will does not mean that I'm actually doing so,

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.

And I hope that I have that desire in all that I'm doing.

I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this,

You will lead me by the right road,

Though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore,

While I trust you always,

Though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death,

I will not fear,

For you are ever with me.

And you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

And we sit for a few moments,

Feeling that sense of community with God and with the others with you.

And now,

We take one more breath together,

Deep,

And sigh it out as you drop your chin and open your eyes and trust in that sense of community in the midst of that cloud that seems to be blinding you.

You are being held every moment in reminding you that you will never be left to face your perils alone.

Be well.

Reviews

I love this Merton prayer. I appreciate the image of being in a circle with others. Thank you and Blessings 🕊️

Thank you Beth your voice and cadence was soothing reassuring. My good friend and spiritual adviser father Sam Mattarazo was assigned to the Abbe of the Gethesamane in Trappist Kentucky where he met and became friends with Thomas, Father Sam introduced me to this prayer. Thank you!!!

Thank you
The message in psalm 23 is a comfort 🙏in every situation