Complexity Theory and Thomas Merton

Complexity theory is a theory that has several characteristics that seem to parallel some of Thomas Merton’s actual life experience as well as his approach to the study of spirituality and contemplative prayer. There are three characteristics that seem particularly relevant to grasping the seemingly paradoxical and intriguing Merton. These are; the nature of complexity as interdisciplinary; hologramism; and chaos.
Merton typifies interdisciplinary connection. His extensive studies of other faith traditions, as well as political and social issues make it apparent that he transcended the typical cloistered Catholic monk. His later writings on social and political issues that led to many problems with the religious establishment underline this ability to take spiritual and personal truths and throw them into the secular world with an understanding of their implications. His work “Toward a Theology of Resistance” seemed to best show this understanding. In it he writes of violence, imperialism, and abuse of power. He harkens to the Papal writing of John XXIII to take a veiled shot at the use of military and political power by saying that without justice, the establishment is a band of robbers. He writes about the intervention of America in parts of the world in a scathing manner and claims that patriotism cannot override morality. Merton’s dabbling into political issues is but one example of the reach of his mind.
Another characteristic found in Merton’s hologramistic way of looking at spirituality. In his writing “Fully Awake, Fully Aware” he writes about the contemplative spirituality. This sense of being fully awake is in being in contact with the source in the basest level within in prayer while seeing the world and life itself through eyes that can see the divine and spirit in the things of the world. This kind of thinking seems to suggest that to fully know God, one must understand God in the smallest and most personal level in our own hearts. Yet this would be incomplete without understanding the greater plan of God and God’s influence and workings in the greater world and those who live in it. Like hologramism, one must find God personally to understand the divine workings of God in the world and to know God personally within us, we must find God in the world at large. Know the larger by understanding the smaller and vise versa. Merton would probably suggest that this is the only way to attain full spirituality.
The final characteristic I think Merton represents is chaos. Merton seemed to accept the hand of chaos in life, and be at ease with uncertainty. His life was chaotic in that he went from a womanizing drinker to a hermit and monk. His journals reflect his acceptance of chaotic movements in his life, and his letting go of trying to control and will his desires into being. In his journal of Nov. 28, 1941, Merton wrote “What a lie and crazy deception that is to be self-reliant is to be strong and smart; to be self-reliant will get you through all your problems.” This journal entry was written shortly before he made the choice to join the monastery. I think this represents Merton’s realization that there are forces in the world that were fully out of his control, and that to believe that he was in full control of his life was nothing but an absurdity. Merton’s chaos however was a guided one, guided by the grace and hand of God. Yet it is still important to realize that Merton gave up the belief that he could predict the course of his life or to even will things into existence, because ultimately, another will would be done. To the non-believer this is chaos, to Merton this was God. The complex theory’s paradoxical ordered chaos.