--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I brought all the instincts of a writer…" description: "\"I brought all the instincts of a writer with me into the monastery.\" — Thomas Merton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b6/thomas-merton-231_instincts_i-brought-all-the-instincts-of-a-writer_718709.jpg" --- # I brought all the instincts of a writer with me into the… ![“I brought all the instincts of a writer with me into the monastery.” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b6/thomas-merton-231_instincts_i-brought-all-the-instincts-of-a-writer_718709.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b6/thomas-merton-231_instincts_i-brought-all-the-instincts-of-a-writer_718709.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b6/thomas-merton-231_instincts_i-brought-all-the-instincts-of-a-writer_718709.jpg) > “I brought all the instincts of a writer with me into the monastery.” [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A writer's instincts enrich monastic life, blending creativity with spiritual practice. **In simple terms:** Writer instincts enhance monastic life. Key Takeaway Integrate creativity into spirituality. Themes spirituality creativity discipline Mood contemplative peaceful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - monastic retreats - personal journaling - spiritual workshops - creative residencies Key Concepts inner calling mindful writing Questions to Reflect On - How can creative practice deepen spiritual insight? - What habits support disciplined writing? A Different Perspective Balancing solitude and expression can be challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Instincts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instincts/) [Monastery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monastery/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [One is that I'm really interested in movies about sex and lust, because I think those are primal, carnal instincts that translate well to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-w-garcia/one-is-that-i-m-really-interested-in-movies-about-sex-and-lust/) [Liz W. Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-w-garcia/) > [“THE MONASTERY IS A SCHOOL—A SCHOOL IN WHICH WE learn from God how to be happy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-monastery-is-a-school-a-school-in-which-we-learn-from-god-how-to/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“A life awakened to God so that the world becomes our monastery.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-shigematsu/a-life-awakened-to-god-so-that-the-world-becomes-our-monastery/) [Ken Shigematsu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-shigematsu/) > [I still have the same beliefs as when I was in the monastery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justo-gallego/i-still-have-the-same-beliefs-as-when-i-was-in-the-monastery/) [Justo Gallego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justo-gallego/) > [“A witch, a Rider, a dragon, and a god walk into a monastery… There’s got to be a good joke in there somewhere.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-blake/a-witch-a-rider-a-dragon-and-a-god-walk-into-a-monastery-there-s-got/) [Deborah Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-blake/) > [To keep a faith pure, man had better retire to a monastery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/to-keep-a-faith-pure-man-had-better-retire-to-a-monastery/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [The only people who had authority within the Church to stop Brendan Smyth from having contact with children were his Abbot in the Monastery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-brady/the-only-people-who-had-authority-within-the-church-to-stop-brendan/) [Sean Brady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-brady/) > [You have to put yourself in a situation, a lifestyle, that makes you do the work. Even if it's a monastery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-scorsese/you-have-to-put-yourself-in-a-situation-a-lifestyle-that-makes-you-do/) [Martin Scorsese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-scorsese/) > [Running is just such a monastery- a retreat, a place to commune with God and yourself, a place for psychological and spiritual renewal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/running-is-just-such-a-monastery-a-retreat-a-place-to-commune-with/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [“I remembered something Father Michael said to me a the monastery. 'The human soul is meant to expand. Things that once captured your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-e-isaacs/i-remembered-something-father-michael-said-to-me-a-the-monastery-the/) [Susan E. Isaacs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-e-isaacs/) > [I love the idea of a university as away from capitalist values, where people can do things that don't immediately have to pay their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/i-love-the-idea-of-a-university-as-away-from-capitalist-values-where/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [“You have two things of value: your monastery and your people. Translate the book for me, and I'll let you keep one. Which will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faith-erin-hicks/you-have-two-things-of-value-your-monastery-and-your-people-translate/) [Faith Erin Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faith-erin-hicks/) > [“I heard you’d gone into a monastery.’ Tony nodded. ‘I did, only I didn’t stay long. I couldn’t be doing with all the praying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilkie-martin/i-heard-you-d-gone-into-a-monastery-tony-nodded-i-did-only-i-didn-t/) [Wilkie Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilkie-martin/) > [To retire to the monastery, or the woods, or the sea, is to escape from the sharp suggestions that spur on ambition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-horton-cooley/to-retire-to-the-monastery-or-the-woods-or-the-sea-is-to-escape-from/) [Charles Horton Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-horton-cooley/) > [I turned into a monk when my mother went to learn Buddhism in Burma. While she learnt at the monastery, I used to roam…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-bedi/i-turned-into-a-monk-when-my-mother-went-to-learn-buddhism-in-burma/) [Kabir Bedi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-bedi/) ## More by Thomas Merton > [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. On the contrary, the deep, inexpressible certitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/let-no-one-hope-to-find-in-contemplation-an-escape-from-conflict-from/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [If nothing that can be seen can either be God or represent Him to us as He is, then to find God we must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-nothing-that-can-be-seen-can-either-be-god-or-represent-him-to-us/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [It is almost impossible to overestimate the value of true humility and its power in the spiritual life. For the beginning of humility is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/it-is-almost-impossible-to-overestimate-the-value-of-true-humility/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [We are not perfectly free until we live in pure hope. For when our hope is pure, it no longer trusts exclusively in human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/we-are-not-perfectly-free-until-we-live-in-pure-hope-for-when-our/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [The desire to kill is like the desire to attack another with an ingot of red -hot iron: I have to pick up the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-desire-to-kill-is-like-the-desire-to-attack-another-with-an-ingot/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [To enter into the realm of contemplation one must in a certain sense die: but this death is in fact the entrance to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/to-enter-into-the-realm-of-contemplation-one-must-in-a-certain-sense/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [The mission of Christian humility in social life is not merely to edify, but to keep minds open to many alternatives. The rigidity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-mission-of-christian-humility-in-social-life-is-not-merely-to/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Peace cannot be built on exclusivism, absolutism, and intolerance. But neither can it be built on vague liberal slogans and pious programs gestated in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/peace-cannot-be-built-on-exclusivism-absolutism-and-intolerance-but/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Things that are good are good, and if one is responding to that goodness one is in contact with a truth from which one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/things-that-are-good-are-good-and-if-one-is-responding-to-that/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Love winter when the plant says nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/love-winter-when-the-plant-says-nothing/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [The logic of worldly success rests on a fallacy: the strange error that our perfection depends on the thoughts and opinions and applause of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-logic-of-worldly-success-rests-on-a-fallacy-the-strange-error/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“The wisdom of the flesh is a judgement that the ordinary ends of our natural appetites are the goods to which the whole of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-wisdom-of-the-flesh-is-a-judgement-that-the-ordinary-ends-of-our/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [I will no longer wound myself with the thoughts and questions that have surrounded me like thorns: that is a penance You do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/i-will-no-longer-wound-myself-with-the-thoughts-and-questions-that/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [If you write for God you will reach many men and bring them joy. If you write for men--you may make some money and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-you-write-for-god-you-will-reach-many-men-and-bring-them-joy-if/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“Contemplation means rest, suspension of activity, withdrawal into the mysterious interior solitude in which the soul is absorbed in the immense and fruitful silence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/contemplation-means-rest-suspension-of-activity-withdrawal-into-the/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Explore all 851 Thomas Merton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## More Instincts quotes > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [I will follow my instincts, be myself for good or ill, and see what will be the upshot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/i-will-follow-my-instincts-be-myself-for-good-or-ill-and-see-what/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Instincts are a really important guide for any artist, but particularly filmmakers because it takes a lot to stay true to your instincts as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yance-ford/instincts-are-a-really-important-guide-for-any-artist-but/) [Yance Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yance-ford/) > [“You have permission to walk away from anything that doesn't feel right. Trust your instincts and listen to your inner-voice — it's trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/you-have-permission-to-walk-away-from-anything-that-doesn-t-feel/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [There are seasons in life. Don't ever let anyone try to deny you the joy of one season because they believe you should stay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-clayson/there-are-seasons-in-life-don-t-ever-let-anyone-try-to-deny-you-the/) [Jane Clayson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-clayson/) > [“He had all the self-preservation instincts of a bug near a shiny windshield.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-chance/he-had-all-the-self-preservation-instincts-of-a-bug-near-a-shiny/) [Karen Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-chance/) > [“Sometimes you just have to trust your instincts; it may be all you have to trust.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jocelyn-murray/sometimes-you-just-have-to-trust-your-instincts-it-may-be-all-you/) [Jocelyn Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jocelyn-murray/) > [My instincts are always against people who want to fasten some sort of hegemony onto things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifford-geertz/my-instincts-are-always-against-people-who-want-to-fasten-some-sort/) [Clifford Geertz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifford-geertz/) > [Trust your instincts: they tend to see you right. By listening to them, at least you can sleep at night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/trust-your-instincts-they-tend-to-see-you-right-by-listening-to-them/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“...because you have been purifying your fields for many incarnations so you no longer belong in the heavy density of the third dimension and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-rangel-gerry-o-malley/because-you-have-been-purifying-your-fields-for-many-incarnations-so/) [Ana Rangel & Gerry O'malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-rangel-gerry-o-malley/) > [Performa's founder and prime mover, Roselee Goldberg, has great instincts for which artists might collaborate well together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberta-smith/performa-s-founder-and-prime-mover-roselee-goldberg-has-great/) [Roberta Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberta-smith/) > [We believe that civilization has been created under the pressure of the exigencies of life at the cost of satisfaction of the instincts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/we-believe-that-civilization-has-been-created-under-the-pressure-of/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [“Our instincts may have even guided us to hide parts of ourselves in order to keep them alive when we were younger.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-d-jakes-2/our-instincts-may-have-even-guided-us-to-hide-parts-of-ourselves-in/) [T.D. Jakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-d-jakes-2/) > [I've written hundreds of songs, and I tend to think that my instincts are pretty good when it comes to what people are going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-foster/i-ve-written-hundreds-of-songs-and-i-tend-to-think-that-my-instincts/) [Mark Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-foster/) > [I don't know if I'm teaching my kids right, but you have to go with your own instincts. You can't be so sure that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-mandel/i-don-t-know-if-i-m-teaching-my-kids-right-but-you-have-to-go-with/) [Howie Mandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-mandel/) [Browse all 529 Instincts quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instincts/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I brought all the instincts of a writer with me into the monastery.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/i-brought-all-the-instincts-of-a-writer-with-me-into-the-monastery/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Instincts" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/i-brought-all-the-instincts-of-a-writer-with-me-into-the-monastery/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b6/thomas-merton-231_instincts_i-brought-all-the-instincts-of-a-writer_718709.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b6/thomas-merton-231_instincts_i-brought-all-the-instincts-of-a-writer_718709.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b6/thomas-merton-231_instincts_i-brought-all-the-instincts-of-a-writer_718709.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I brought all the instincts of a writer with me into the monastery.” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Thomas Merton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I brought all the instincts of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/i-brought-all-the-instincts-of-a-writer-with-me-into-the-monastery/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/i-brought-all-the-instincts-of-a-writer-with-me-into-the-monastery/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```