From the moment you put a piece of bread in your mouth you are part of the world. Who grew the wheat? Who made the bread? Where did it come from? You are in relationship with all who brought it to the table. We are least separate and most in common when we eat and drink.
THOMAS MERTON
THOMAS MERTON
Thomas Merton on connection
Thomas Merton76 quotes“From the moment you put a piece of bread in your mouth you are part of the world. Who grew the wheat? Who made the bread? Where did it come from? You are in relationship with all who brought it to the table. We are least separate and most in common when we eat and drink.”
More from Thomas Merton
The spiritual life is first of all a life. It is not merely something to be known and studied, it is to be lived.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton Before we can realize who we really are, we must become conscious of the fact that the person we think we are, here and now, is at best an impostor and a stranger.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton For although God is right with us and in us and out of us and all through us, we have to go on journeys to find him.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton We cannot achieve greatness unless we lose all interest in being great.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton Instead of hating the people you think are war-makers, hate the appetites and disorder in your own soul, which are the causes of war. If you love peace, then hate injustice, hate tyranny, hate greed – but hate these things in yourself, not in another.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton Violence is not completely fatal until it ceases to disturb us.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton How can I be sincere if I am constantly changing my mind to conform with the shadow of what I think others expect of me?
Thomas MertonThomas Merton But if you want to identify me, ask me not where I live, or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair, but ask me what I think I am living for.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton The more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer, because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you, in proportion to your fear of being hurt. The one who does most to avoid suffering is, in the end, the one who suffers most.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton We are not converted only once in our lives but many times and this endless series of conversions and inner revolutions leads to our transformation.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton Actions are the doors and windows of being. Unless we act, we have no way of knowing what we are.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton In a world of noise, confusion and conflict it is necessary that there be places of silence, inner discipline and peace. In such places love can blossom.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton For perfect hope is achieved on the brink of despair, when instead of falling over the edge, we find ourselves walking on air.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton
Original quotes
From our community writers
I managed to cut myself loose and while there was pain – there weren’t any blood.
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Frode GaslandFrode Gasland If you are true to yourself, you are already a winner.
Alex DanielAlex Daniel You deserve words that remind you of your value.
Saif Ali ManganSaif Ali Mangan Do always wonder about your worth and remind yourself that even roses have their own thorns.
Megan LaoMegan Lao I’m like sugar in the coffee. Stir me and I’ll dissolve into you.
BelaBela Plans have changed. Life looks different. & now we’re all figuring it out as we go.
Tanya GillTanya Gill Be loyal to those loyal to you.
Sonya TeclaiSonya Teclai
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More on connection
Our ability to connect with others is innate, wired into our nervous systems, and we need connection as much as we need physical nourishment.
Sharon SalzbergSharon Salzberg For all of us, love can be the natural state of our own being; naturally at peace, naturally connected, because this becomes the reflection of who we simply are.
Sharon SalzbergSharon Salzberg Society is the form in which the fact of mutual dependence for the sake of life and nothing else assumes public significance and where the activities connected with sheer survival are permitted to appear in public.
Hannah ArendtHannah Arendt It’s funny to see the people connect with Fast & Furious the way they do. I had no clue, I didn’t get it. And now, more I get it and I see it.
Paul WalkerPaul Walker I can be productive as fuck but I can’t be starved of love. I choose connection, touch.
Emma SchippersEmma Schippers If I’m reborn, let my soul find yours again, so our missing pieces can connect and we can become whole.
Amanda KarchAmanda Karch Art has a special way of connecting dots from lost to found.
Payton Olivia WPayton Olivia W It’s hard to connect with someone whose soul has such shitty WiFi
A.J XanderA.J Xander