Our Common Spiritual Directors

We usually think of Thomas Merton as being a writer, theologian, poet, and scholar—in other words, an intellectual. He wrote numerous books, kept up a voluminous correspondence, and gave hundreds of hours of lectures to novices at the Abbey of Gethsemani. It is interesting, then, that he would say the following in his book The Sign of Jonas:

“How necessary it is for monks to work in the fields, in the sun, in the mud, in the clay, in the wind: these are our spiritual directors and our novice masters.”

I thought of Merton’s words yesterday as I planted peas and kale in the garden. I faced many obstacles as I struggled to hoe straight rows, tossing aside rocks and clumps of clay and breaking up clods as I went. I needed to enrich the soil by adding compost, which had undergone a process of decay to become useful in building up the earth. Planting the seeds called for reverence, ensuring they were at the correct depth and far enough apart that they wouldn’t crowd each other. Then I had to mulch between rows to discourage weeds and clean up the communal gardening tools I had used so they would be ready for the next person who needed them.

Earth is our spiritual director because it allows us to integrate the three aspects of our humanity—mind, body, and spirit. Our bodies crave movement and tangibility, our minds need freedom from self-absorption, and our spirits require beauty and partnership with God. Working outside in some fashion satisfies all those needs and thus promotes wholeness and holiness.

I’m grateful to Merton for pointing me to my true and novice master, the earth, which is always available to dispense wisdom.