Today, I found Thomas Merton. I was looking at Osho's autobiography at Borders and found the book Seeds, and started to go through the bookshelves looking for whatever books there were by him. I finally chose Dialogues with Silence as his writings reflect my feelings a lot. He has explored all religions, much like myself, and he is so open about the different teachings.
Immediately I called my sister Helen to ask her about him, a Trappist monk. Of course, she knows about him as she has one of his books, Seven Steps Mountain.
I am kind of happy and relieved that I have found another Catholic priest (besides Anthony De Mello) who found his way like I am finding my way now. For so long, I thought I was a prodigal daughter, a lost sheep. Now I understand that I have been soul searching, trying to reconnect with God (The Supreme Being, The Ultimate, The Essence, The Source, the I Am, The Tao...). I now feel close to God (the Catholic understanding) because He is part of me.