--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Christian life, and especially the…" description: "\"The Christian life, and especially the contemplative life, is a continual discovery of Christ in new and unexpected places.\" — Thomas Merton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/324/thomas-merton-231_christ_the-christian-life-and-especially-the-co_1555967.jpg" --- # The Christian life, and especially the contemplative life… ![“The Christian life, and especially the contemplative life, is a continual discovery of Christ in new and unexpected places.” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/324/thomas-merton-231_christ_the-christian-life-and-especially-the-co_1555967.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/324/thomas-merton-231_christ_the-christian-life-and-especially-the-co_1555967.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/324/thomas-merton-231_christ_the-christian-life-and-especially-the-co_1555967.jpg) > “The Christian life, and especially the contemplative life, is a continual discovery of Christ in new and unexpected places.” [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 Christian journey is an ongoing, surprising encounter with Christ, especially through contemplative practice. **In simple terms:** Christ is discovered anew through contemplation. Key Takeaway Cultivate regular contemplative habits. Themes spirituality contemplation discovery Mood contemplative inspirational Type religious philosophical When to use this quote - daily prayer - retreats - journaling - community worship Key Concepts mysticism theology Questions to Reflect On - How does silence reveal new insights? - What practices deepen your spiritual awareness? A Different Perspective Contemplation can feel abstract for some. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-life/) [Contemplative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplative/) [Contemplative life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplative-life/) [Discovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovery/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Unexpected places](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unexpected-places/) ## Related quotes > [There is always a temptation to diddle around in the contemplative life, making itsy-bitsy statues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/there-is-always-a-temptation-to-diddle-around-in-the-contemplative/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [In general, it can be said that no contemplative life is possible without ascetic self-discipline. One must learn to survive without the habit-forming luxuries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/in-general-it-can-be-said-that-no-contemplative-life-is-possible/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [One of the strange laws of the contemplative life is that in it you do not sit down and solve problems: you bear with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/one-of-the-strange-laws-of-the-contemplative-life-is-that-in-it-you/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“Where do you find hope, and in what shape or form does it rest? I say to you now that absolute and genuine hope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-zelenka/where-do-you-find-hope-and-in-what-shape-or-form-does-it-rest-i-say/) [Cheryl Zelenka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-zelenka/) > [You know, Monsieur, that, although the contemplative life is more perfect than the active life, it is not, however, more so than one which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/you-know-monsieur-that-although-the-contemplative-life-is-more/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [Even the contemplative life is only an effort, Nora my dear, to hide the body so the feet won’t stick out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/djuna-barnes/even-the-contemplative-life-is-only-an-effort-nora-my-dear-to-hide/) [Djuna Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/djuna-barnes/) > [“Not too long ago thousands spent their lives as recluses to find spiritual vision in the solitude of nature. 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That is my ideal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/i-live-a-very-secluded-life-a-very-contemplative-life-and-a-very/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [In the active life all the vices are first of all to be removed by the practice of good works, so that in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isidore-of-seville/in-the-active-life-all-the-vices-are-first-of-all-to-be-removed-by/) [Isidore of Seville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isidore-of-seville/) > [Woman's normal occupations in general run counter to creative life, or contemplative life, or saintly life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/woman-s-normal-occupations-in-general-run-counter-to-creative-life-or/) [Anne Morrow Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [The contemplative life is often miserable. One must act more, think less, and not watch oneself live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-contemplative-life-is-often-miserable-one-must-act-more-think/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## 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. 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