THE INNER ATLASSaved · 0
Menu
Library / Book / Mysticism & Spiritual Experience
Decorative; adjacent title and creator provide identity.Book

BOOK · L2 · INNER ATLAS REVIEWED

Zen and the Birds of Appetite

1968; New Directions

STARTING FRAMEChristian — Catholic Zen dialogue
EXPLORESMysticism & Spiritual Experience
ENGAGEMENT EFFORTDemanding
HOW IT MAY HELPExplore thoughtfully

A LIBRARIAN’S ORIENTATION

What this book explores

Merton's essays and dialogue with D. T. Suzuki explore Zen and Christian mysticism from the standpoint of a Catholic contemplative.

EDITORIAL NOTE

Why it’s in the Library

It makes a specific Buddhist–Christian encounter available while keeping each speaker’s standpoint and the difference between practice, doctrine, and evidence visible.

Good starting place if…

You want a historically important and more demanding Christian engagement with Zen.

Know before you begin…

Mid-century language and comparative assumptions require context; similarities between mystical vocabulary do not erase doctrinal differences.