New Seeds of Contemplation

So I got a new book...
It's called New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton. I'm very excited about reading it. So far I have only read the preface and author's note. In the author's note he says something I found to be noteworthy (hence making a note about it), at least to myself (and, apparently, the author) . He said that the book is not a work of art, that anyone else with the same interests could have written it, perhaps better. But, "If you can bring yourself, somehow, to read it in communion with the God in Whose Presence it was written, it will interest you and you will probably draw some fruit from it, more by His grace than by the author's efforts. But if you cannot read it under these conditions, no doubt the book will at least be a novelty."

I thought this statement is true about a lot of things, especially those of the arts, like writing, music, art, etc. If the author created their work in the presence of God, (to which I might add and through His inspiration), then if the reader/listener/viewer can also allow themselves to take in the work while under the inspiration of God, they will probably draw some fruit from it. If the reader/listener/viewer does not come in this manner, what some might say "full of the Spirit," then the chances of them drawing fruit from their encounter with the work becomes slim. Yes, I believe God can step in and cause a person to receive from Him much to their surprise, but I think it usually takes an effort on our part to be receptive to what God has for us.

Maybe, this is just "Duh!" to some, but it struck me today. The responsibility lies not only with the author, but also with the viewer. God must be central.

Hmm. I have found God and His truth in the "secular" numerous times. But maybe it's not an issue of the author not being inspired, but more of them not realizing where their inspiration is actually coming from. After all, they are in the presence of God whether they know it or not. So maybe the question is whether fruit comes out of it or not, and that comes at the effort of the reader/listener/viewer and their "communion with the God in Whose Presence" it was created, not by the author and their intentions. That means we must always be looking for God in everything. Perhaps this is part of being contemplative. I hope to learn more about that as I read this book...