{"product_id":"9780718892951","title":"Returning to Reality: Thomas Merton's Wisdom for a Technological Age","description":"We are becoming a nation of superficial and distracted consumers of instant messages and images, a state of being which does not aid engagement in religious and other deep commitments that require a sustained level of reflection and contemplation.\u003cp\u003eIn his thought-provoking work, Phillip M. Thompson analyses the shadow elements of technology - nuclear armaments, the bio-engineering of humans, and the distancing of humanity from the natural world - through the fascinating insights of the spiritual writer and monk Thomas Merton (1915-1968). Merton's work offers an important critique and healing resource for contemporary, technology-saturated culture through constructive recommendations which include a balanced approach to work, the careful management of technology, and an appreciation of the recuperative aspects of nature.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile understanding the positive influences of technology, Merton urges us not be naively optimistic about its benefits, but to consider the threat it poses to a life of humanity and spiritual connection. A consideration of the profound issues discussed in this book will interest any reader concerned with the intersection between spirituality and technology, and how to maintain spiritual integrity in a technological world.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lutterworth Press, The","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47014542475504,"sku":"9780718892951","price":31.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9780718892951_p0.jpg?v=1763619665","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780718892951","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}