Thousands of years prove it, and Western science backs it: Meditation sharpens focus. Meditation lowers blood pressure, relieves chronic pain, reduces stress. Meditation helps us experience greater calm. Meditation connects us to our inner-most feelings and challenges our habits of self-judgment. Meditation helps protect the brain against aging and improves our capacity for learning new things. Meditation opens the door to real and accessible happiness.

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Thomas Merton's groundbreaking last major work—a provocative and pivotal look into contemplation and the true meaning of spirituality

"True contemplation is not a psychological trick but a theological grace."—Thomas Merton

Revised directly before his untimely death and released in full for the first time ever, Merton's book on contemplation has captivated readers for decades. In it, Merton