Summary

"The Seven Storey Mountain" is an autobiography by Thomas Merton, recounting his journey from a restless and irreligious youth to a devout Trappist monk. The book begins with Merton's birth in France in 1915, detailing his nomadic childhood as his artist parents moved through Europe and America. He describes his early life as largely devoid of formal religious training, influenced by progressive ideals and a love for literature and the arts.

Merton's narrative encompasses his experiences at boarding schools, Cambridge University, and Columbia College, where he encountered diverse intellectual and social circles. He reflects on his growing dissatisfaction with the secular world, marked by periods of aimlessness and moral confusion. The text reveals his increasing interest in Catholicism, sparked by encounters with devout individuals and a profound engagement with art and philosophy.

The autobiography chronicles Merton's conversion to Catholicism and his subsequent decision to enter the Abbey of Gethsemani, a Trappist monastery in Kentucky. Merton grapples with the challenges of monastic life, including silence, solitude, and rigorous physical labor. He vividly portrays the austere beauty of the monastery and the profound sense of spiritual purpose he discovers within its walls.

As Merton delves deeper into monasticism, he explores themes of faith, doubt, and the search for meaning. He reflects on the lives of saints, the importance of prayer, and the transformative power of divine grace. The book culminates with Merton's ordination as a priest and his dedication to a life of contemplation and service, marking the end of his restless journey and the beginning of his spiritual ascent towards God.