Characteristics of Sufism and Islamic mysticism in the practical and theoretical life of Thomas Merton
Subject Areas : Islamic Mysticism
Reza Rezaei
1
,
Tahereh Hajebrahimi
2
,
Shahram Pazuki
3
1 - دانشجوی دکتری ادیان و عرفان تطبیقی، دانشکده حقوق، الهیات و علوم سیاسی، واحد علوم و تحقیقات، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، تهران، ایران.
2 - Associate Professor, Department of Religions and Mysticism, Faculty of Law, Theology and Political Sciences, Science and Research Unit, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 - استاد مؤسسه پژوهشی حکمت و فلسفه ایران، تهران، ایران.
Keywords:
Abstract :
In 1959, Thomas Merton became familiar with Islam and its religious teachings; His acquaintance and encounter with Islam has been formed in many ways. When Mertan established a relationship with Muslims and students of Islamic thought, it was at a time in his life when mysticism and spiritual life were the most prominent mental concerns for him. He was familiar with the works of Schwan and Rene Gunon by studying Sufi poems; The most influential person in Merten's introduction to Islam was a person named Louis Massignon. Thomas Merton became familiar with Islam and its teachings in the late 50s and throughout the 60s; His acquaintance and encounter with Islam has been formed in many ways. Among these ways of getting to know Mertan, we can mention the encounter and study of the main texts of Islam, including the Qur'an, as well as the meeting and correspondence with Muslim (Sufi) figures during his life. The most influential person in Merten's introduction to Islam was a person named Louis Massignon. Merten received many influences from Islam and his familiarity with Islam has played a significant role in enriching his religious and mystical thoughts. One of the most important teachings of Sufism that Merten received is the teaching that all human beings can achieve God's knowledge and knowledge by following their faith and beliefs and looking at God's personal signs in everything.
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