1) Merton's understanding of meditation or contemplative prayer is quite interesting. He describes it as not a method or system, but that we should cultivate an attitude or outlook toward prayer. While this is true, we need to beware of the many obstacles in prayer, and our attitude toward it.
2) These obstacles are thinking of prayer as mere good will, resisting God, thinking there are tricks to the spiritual life, imprisoning ourselves, and a brave and absurd attempt to evade reality. Merton does offer help with these through a spiritual director, and watching out for some of these mentalities developing.
3) This chapter has helped my in many ways. Firstly, I now have a little reminder in the back of my mind to try new things, and cultivate outlooks toward prayer with God. Secondly, I now know what to watch out for in my prayer life, and feel more prepared for what is to come. I do wonder however, when he gives many outlooks to prayer, isn't that kind of a formula for how to come to prayer?
Thank you, Daran. As to the first point, develop what you think Merton means. Expand. This generally true of all of them. As to the formula question, I think he may mean that there is no set way of doing it, as if to do it that way is the only way to achieve some sort of "higher state" of prayer or meditation. He seems to be saying more that we ought to cultivate a way of being - however that way is - that achieves the knowledge of God.
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