Kenneth Bragan

The Rising Importance of Thomas Merton's Spiritual Legacy Kenneth Bragan

The current renewed interest in mystical experience, which stems in part from the neuroscience claim that there is a spiritual doorway in the brain, provides the grounds for placing the spiritual legacy of Thomas Merton in the context of natural spirituality, where it fits comfortably. His journals demonstrate clearly the important part that mystical experience (what he called God-experience) played in the amazing spiritual growth and personal transformation he underwent during his time as a Trappist monk. It is suggested here that as the door to the supernatural world closes, the door to natural spirituality is opening, and Thomas Merton's legacy could provide great support for such change. If so, his importance as a mystic, teacher, and prophet could go on rising. Kenneth Bragan grew up in a small coal mining town near Newcastle in the north of England and now resides in the Lakes District of the south island of New Zealand. He worked for many years as a psychiatrist and developed a particular interest in the healing power of writing. Publisher's website: http: //sbpra.com/KennethBragan