--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In other words, I have tried to learn in…" description: "\"“In other words, I have tried to learn in my writing a monastic lesson I could probably not have learned otherwise: to let go of my idea of myself, to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d3/thomas-merton-231_accepting-life_in-other-words-i-have-tried-to-learn-in_1413806.jpg" --- # In other words, I have tried to learn in my writing a… ![“In other words, I have tried to learn in my writing a monastic lesson I could probably not have learned otherwise: to let go of my idea of myself, to take myself with more than one grain of salt... In religious terms, this is simply a matter of accepting life, and everything in life as a gift, and…” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d3/thomas-merton-231_accepting-life_in-other-words-i-have-tried-to-learn-in_1413806.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d3/thomas-merton-231_accepting-life_in-other-words-i-have-tried-to-learn-in_1413806.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d3/thomas-merton-231_accepting-life_in-other-words-i-have-tried-to-learn-in_1413806.jpg) > ““In other words, I have tried to learn in my writing a monastic lesson I could probably not have learned otherwise: to let go of my idea of myself, to take myself with more than one grain of salt... In religious terms, this is simply a matter of accepting life, and everything in life as a gift, and clinging to none of it, as far as you are able. You give some of it to others, if you can. Yet one should be able to share things with others without bothering too much about how they like it, either, or how they accept it. Assume they will accept it, if they need it. And if they don’t need it, why should they accept it? That is their business. Let me accept what is mine and give them all their share, and go my way.”” [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. The passage urges releasing self‑attachment, viewing life as a gift, and sharing freely without seeking approval. **In simple terms:** Let go of self‑image, accept life, share without needing validation. Key Takeaway Embrace humility, give without expectation. Themes humility acceptance generosity self‑release Mood reflective calm inspirational Type philosophical spiritual advice When to use this quote - personal growth - community service - creative work - teaching - mentoring Key Concepts spirituality monastic discipline gift theory Questions to Reflect On - How can you share without needing approval? - What does treating life as a gift change your actions? A Different Perspective It may be hard to detach from ego and fear rejection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accepting life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting-life/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life As A Gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-as-a-gift/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Theology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theology/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [What do I mean by loving ourselves properly? 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Nothing less.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-frey/let-things-be-let-yourself-be-let-everything-be-and-accept-it-as-it/) [James Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-frey/) > [Part of moving on is realising it's time to let go accept what is and what can never be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julandie/part-of-moving-on-is-realising-it-s-time-to-let-go-accept-what-is-and/) [Julandie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julandie/) > [when the fierce, burning winds blow over our lives-and we cannot prevent them-let us, too, accept the inevitable. 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It liberates us from the prison of self-preoccupation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ortberg/gratitude-is-the-ability-to-experience-life-as-a-gift-it-liberates-us/) [John Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ortberg/) > [I look upon life as a gift from God. I did nothing to earn it. Now that the time is coming to give it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-cary/i-look-upon-life-as-a-gift-from-god-i-did-nothing-to-earn-it-now-that/) [Joyce Cary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-cary/) ## 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. 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I totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pirjo-honkasalo/as-my-films-are-born-at-the-moment-when-they-are-reflected-into/) [Pirjo Honkasalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pirjo-honkasalo/) Browse all 6,788 Accepting quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“In other words, I have tried to learn in my writing a monastic lesson I could probably not have learned otherwise: to let go of my idea of myself, to take myself with more than one grain of salt... In religious terms, this is simply a matter of accepting life, and everything in life as a gift, and clinging to none of it, as far as you are able. You give some of it to others, if you can. Yet one should be able to share things with others without bothering too much about how they like it, either, or how they accept it. Assume they will accept it, if they need it. And if they don’t need it, why should they accept it? That is their business. 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