Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was an American Trappist monk. He was also a writer, a traveller, a social activist, a poet and a seeker of the contemplative life.
He was intent on exploring interfaith dialogues and developed deep friendships with the Dalai Lama, and Zen monk Thích Nhất Hạnh.
As well as writing on his own faith also published works on Zen and Taoism.

This short 10 min video looks at a pilgrimage Merton made in 1968 to California and New Mexico:

On the road.

It’s not just the idea of a journey just for the sake of covering ground.
Its a journey as symbolic of man’s state on earth.
Were all on a journey. Were all going somewhere.
The geographical pilgrimage is the symbolic acting out of an inner journey.
Every moment and every event of every person’s life on earth plants something in their soul.
But I do have a past to break with. An accumulation of inertia waste, wrong, foolishness, rot, junk. The great need of clarification, of mindfulness, or rather, of no-mind. A return to genuine practice. Right effort. Need to push on to the great doubt.
Need for the spirit. Hang on to the clear light. Thomas Merton.

Video via Emergence Magazine.