Merton's Mystical Encounter: A Case Study in Refashioning Phenomenology for Deeper Insights into Time, Self, and the Ineffable.
School:Â School of Divinity
Supervisors: Professor Jeremy Carrette, The University of Edinburgh.
Keywords: Thomas Merton, Phenomenology of religious experience, Mysticism, Interfaith dialogue.Â
About Fady’s Research:
The project explores the mystical experiences of Thomas Merton, a contemporary Trappist monk, from a phenomenological perspective. The analysis follows how Merton negotiated with ineffability, the role of silence, embodiment, and the transformation of self and time. This investigation, carried out through Merton’s personal writings, shows that his experiences with the divine altered the way he had previously viewed himself and his relationships with others, offering critical insight into religious studies, interfaith dialogue, and the psychology of religion. The study adds to significant insight into the human capacity for transcendence, self-knowledge, and connection.
