In recent months the ways in which my approach to life changed during the pandemic have begun to come into focus. Trying to make sense of the days remaining to me as I attempt to develop a better understanding of God outweighs other obligations that once seemed so important.
Encountering The Seven Story Mountain in 2021 played a role in changing my priorities. Thomas Merton’s autobiographical account of his dramatic spiritual transformation inspired me.
Naturally, I was drawn to Words and Silences, an unusual new project overseen by Ohio composer Brian Harnetty. While living on the grounds of the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani in Kentucky in 1967, Merton recorded his musings on topics including God, philosophy, music and current events. Here’s a visual representation of the opening track “Sound of an Unperplexed Wren.”
Harnetty sets snippets of Merton’s spoken meditations to wistful chamber music. I initially thought Harnetty’s accompaniment was too genteel. I’ve since come to believe the fragile sounds perfectly reflect the ineluctable sadness of mortality voiced by Merton.
Not all of Words and Silences is heavy. Merton documents a “New Year's Eve party of one” as he spins records by jazz artists including Mary Lou Williams. His humanity- as well as Harnetty’s sympathetic enhancements- gives me courage. At one point Merton wonders “who am I who sit here? It’s very difficult to say.” Amen, brother.