xt7nk9315x62 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7nk9315x62/data/mets.xml  Thomas Merton 1967-04-12 This letter is from collection 75m28 Thomas Merton papers. archival material 75m28 English  Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Thomas Merton correspondence Letter from Thomas Merton to Sy [?], April 12, 1967 text Letter from Thomas Merton to Sy [?], April 12, 1967 1967 1967-04-12 2023 true xt7nk9315x62 section xt7nk9315x62 o r/\ x
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Many thanks for your two letters and for the transcript of tne tape.
Thanks also for discussing tne latter with the analwst. I recognize of
course that the decision rests with me. As far as I a: concerned,

I know very well that if 1 make enough fuss I can pressure my superiors
into letting me out of here in one way or another. Gn the other hand,
since I tend to let off a certain amount of steam when talking about

the system here, I may create the impression that 1 an eager to get out.
I am not. Not that I want to opend the rest of my life in a kindergarten:
but with the completely unique set up that I have new, I am absolved from
the {inderiarten and have things just as I like them. Chen I said I was
interested in analysis, I meant that I roalizefi it would be very useful
for me: but not at the cost of having to leave here and live in a city.

I have here what I want, and in a city I would have everything i don't
want. it boils downJMOre or laea to that.

If I started beyng analyzed, I iaag no the first thing the analyst would
want to know would;be why the hell I 'as such a dam fool as to leave
something I héfl wanteo gnu struggled for all my life, in order to pay .
him twenty five fiolLars an hour to 2851513333 listen to my reasons for ha-
VLng wanted it. Thusifar I can do my own analysis. I have what I want and
1 do not experienoe any kind of urge to reaoh out for something else. when
I am reasonably'aure that 1 co 1d never get it so good anyplace else.

I can live with my anxieties. Wulch are the usual ones I guess most

people have. tfiougn 1 Would gladly get to the root of them. I think I
Stand as much chance of doing so just sitting around here and figuring out
my own problems for myself. Tue woods seem to be tho Boat kind of therayy
i have hitgno far. At any rate 3 have momonta of conscious hoopinesa
which are unusualiy frequent. in this day and age, E consider mysilf
very fortunate.

‘robablg the best thing for me is to be visited and upbraided by
well informed friends. when are you an& unne coming down?

I enclose a note for anne, about some poets she might want to publish.
it: Slate‘s visit was lively. andure will probably leave a literary estate
that will gonfuaa all law for centuries to come. I refer of course to the
estate of Victor Hugo.

Best wishes always, and I hope all is well with you. My best to you
both.