Thomas Merton—Trappist monk, believing beatnik, brilliant author of books, essays and poetry, all rooted in his lifelong search for meaning. He is one of the most authentic and enduring voices of the 20th century, a man who truly lived the search he writes about. Now here is the documentary that goes to the heart of Merton’s spiritual journey. Award-winning producer Morgan Atkinson spent years researching Merton’s work, as well as interviewing Merton friends, scholars and authorities on the spiritual life. Atkinson’s cameras reveal life at the Abbey of Gethsemani, Merton’s home of 27 years, as well as Merton’s path in New York City, Redwoods Monastery (California) and Christ in the Desert Monastery (New Mexico). The picture that emerges from Atkinson’s study provides provocative insights into the interior landscape of one of the spiritual giants of modern times while capturing the haunting physical beauty of the geography that both nurtured and shaped Merton.
The film will be followed by Q&A with the producer/director.
Morgan Atkinson is a Louisville, Kentucky-based producer/ director whose work focuses on community values particularly as seen in Kentucky. In a 21-year career as an independent producer he has had seven documentaries broadcast on PBS as well as producing many other commissioned works. Atkinson spent two years on his current project, a study of the acclaimed spiritual writer/ social commentator Thomas Merton. The hour-long program is called Soul Searching: the Journey of Thomas Merton. Atkinson traces his interest in Merton to the mid 70s soon after graduating from the University of Kentucky. Atkinson was attracted to Merton’s commitment to a principled life and the unique manner in which he lived it. In a time of great national turmoil Atkinson found Merton examining the most essential aspects of life in a voice that rang true, echoing the thoughts of the Desert Fathers as well as Thoreau, Emerson and even Lenny Bruce. In the almost 30 years since first reading Merton, Atkinson has continued to find great truths in his writing and the paradoxes of this 20th century monk’s unconventional life.
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