178Tom Merton: A Personal Biographypersonalized response by Merton or another monk impersonating him. Merton was scandalized by the action but had to accept it. Revealing some interesting things about himself in this book, Merton discussed a Church theologian opinions about the meaning of visions of the dead. Merton stated dispassionately that it is ��the least perfect kind of mystical vision granted to man on earth�but ost suited to our ordinary way of seeing.�He added that theologians generally agree that ��these bodies in visions can have an objective and physical reality.�Merton was undoubtedly thinking of the vision he believed he had had of his father that he described in The Seven Storey Mountain. He added the counsel of Saint John of the Cross that these visions should be ignored because they could be from the devil or one own imagination. Merton concluded that all Christian mystical theologians teach that ��visions should never be encouraged or desired�since the devil likes nothing better than to take advantage of these things for his own purposes.�Obviously Merton put considerable effort into researching this subject in light of his own personal experience, having no background in spiritual teachings on this subject, although obviously he did not mention his own experience in this book. Another fascinating item in Merton life of St. Lutgarde concerned stigmata, a wound that certain religious people have acquired mystically in the same location as the five wounds of Jesus Christ on the cross. Merton remarked that medical science has investigated this phenomenon and has never been able to explain it. He added that in some cases ysterics and maniacs have produced these wounds in themselves.�Merton could well have been referring to himself and the scar he carried from the mock crucifixion he was apparently involved in at Cambridge. His fellow monks probably had no idea there could be a personal connection in this remark. Merton curiosity encompassed any type of endeavor. Shortly after Naomi visit, during the Christmas season, the cellarer offered Merton the opportunity to drive the new Jeep to see the far side of the knobs. The cellarer is a title given to the monk in charge of a monastery vehicles as well as other housekeeping functions. The cellarer assumed that Merton knew how to drive a Jeep. Merton apparently did not volunteer the fact that he had no driving experience other than a couple of lessons from a Father Roman at St. Bonaventure in his old Chevie. Merton was thrilled to be allowed to try the new Jeep and assumed he could handle it. He drove it down one of the old logging roads, through
