"Pause Long Enough to See"
"Lost in the Noise: Finding Wisdom in Crisis"
Thomas Merton and the See-Judge-Act Method
If you’re looking for a practical way to engage with the tough issues we face today, the See-Judge-Act method might be just what you need. It’s a framework rooted in Catholic social teaching, but really, it’s about learning to look at the world more carefully, think more deeply, and act more wisely.
What Is See-Judge-Act?
Think of it as a three-step rhythm:
See — Start by really paying attention. What’s actually happening? Who’s being affected? Don’t jump to conclusions or solutions yet. Just observe the reality in front of you with fresh eyes.
Judge (or Discern) — Now reflect on what you’ve seen. What do faith, ethics, or your deepest values tell you about this situation? What’s really going on beneath the surface? What systems or forces are at work here?
Act — Finally, do something about it. But not just anything—take action that flows from your discernment, action that embodies justice, compassion, and solidarity. And here’s the thing: it’s not a one-and-done deal. You circle back, observe some more, reflect again, and keep growing.
Why Thomas Merton Matters Here
Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk, writer, and one of the most compelling spiritual voices of the 20th century. He spent the majority of his adult life in a monastery, yet he had incredibly sharp insights about technology, racism, war, and what it means to be human in a complex world.
What makes Merton so relevant to See-Judge-Act is that he lived this method in his writing and thinking:
Seeing clearly — Merton had this gift for looking beyond the surface to the more profound truth. He insisted we look for the divine spark in every person—even those society writes off or labels as “bad” or “other.” He wouldn’t let people get away with superficial observations.
Judging/Discerning with wisdom — For Merton, discernment wasn’t about being judgmental. It was about prayerful reflection, examining things through the lens of love, justice, and human dignity. He believed critique should come from compassion, not condemnation.
Acting from contemplation — Here’s what set Merton apart: he knew that action without contemplation becomes hollow activism. Real change, he believed, had to flow from inner stillness, humility, and a genuine desire for reconciliation and justice—not from anger or self-righteousness.
Merton’s Method in Practice
Let’s look at how Merton actually used this approach in his writings:
The “See” Stage
Merton started with honest, unflinching observation. He looked at technology and saw not just progress, but potential alienation and dehumanization. He examined racism and refused to accept comfortable stereotypes—he insisted on seeing the suffering and dignity of every person, especially those society marginalized.
In his letters and journals, he constantly urged people to look beneath the headlines, to pause long enough to see what was really happening.
The “Judge/Discern” Stage
Merton’s discernment was rooted in the Gospel. He’d ask: What does Christian faith have to say about this? How does this align with the radical dignity of every person made in God’s image?
When he looked at racism, he didn’t offer pious platitudes. He evaluated the social structures and attitudes that enabled it. When he examined technology, he asked whether it served or harmed human dignity and the common good.
The “Act” Stage
Merton’s call to action was always grounded in mercy and contemplation. He advocated for peace, nonviolence, and concrete reforms that upheld human dignity. His writings on peace directly inspired and supported the civil rights movement and nuclear disarmament efforts.
But he saw writing itself as an act of solidarity—his “letters of mercy” and essays were meant to awaken conscience and compassion in others.
A Concrete Example: Technology
Merton’s analysis of technology shows the See-Judge-Act method clearly:
See: He analyzed the real consequences of technological change—the alienation people felt, the ecological harm being done
Judge: He evaluated these trends through faith-based criteria, warning how technology could distort our humanity when it’s detached from wisdom and love
Act: He called for resistance to dehumanizing trends through renewed contemplation, spiritual grounding, and working toward just social and ecological relationships
Merton’s Key Texts
If you want to explore this further, here are some essential Merton works that illustrate the See-Judge-Act method:
Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander — Merton “sees” the tension and violence of his era, “judges” its meaning through Christian faith, and “acts” by encouraging compassionate, nonviolent responses.
Seeds of Destruction — He tackles nuclear war and civil rights, offering a thorough analysis and spiritual evaluation while urging readers to move from awareness to moral understanding to practical solidarity.
New Seeds of Contemplation — His spiritual writings emphasize deep attentiveness to reality, insisting that action must be rooted in genuine contemplation and discernment.
Letters to activists — His correspondence with people like Dorothy Day and Daniel Berrigan recognizes real situations, evaluates them with spiritual wisdom, and encourages practical, faith-filled action.
Faith and Violence — Merton investigates systemic causes of violence, seeks Gospel-based insight, and outlines pathways for Christian action in the face of war and injustice.
Bringing It Home Today
What about immigration, or climate change, or technological disruption, or any of the other complex issues we’re facing?
Merton’s approach, using See-Judge-Act, would have us:
See: Pause long enough to see clearly—recognize the spiritual and human dimensions of what’s happening
Judge: Discern through the Gospel and our deepest values—what does faith teach about how we treat strangers and the marginalized?
Act: Respond with compassion and practical solidarity, rooted in mercy and justice
Why This Matters Now
As we face the problems and challenges of our world today—as we look for ways to innovate, educate, and collaborate to find real solutions—we could do worse than to look to Thomas Merton.
His contemplative yet active approach reminds us that we need to slow down enough to see clearly, think deeply enough to discern wisely, and act boldly enough to make a real difference. And then do it all over again, because the work is never finished.
That’s the gift of the See-Judge-Act method, and that’s the legacy Thomas Merton left us.