This is a collection of the Trappist monk's observations about the spiritual wisdom in Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sufism.George Woodcock sets the scene in his introduction where he marvels at the breadth of Merton's vision and the hospitality he demonstrated toward religions outside Catholicism. There is much food for thought in essays on Zen, the concept of perfect joy, non-doing, and Merton's mystical experience at Polonnaruwa. "Thoughts on the East" presents a fine model of Christian openness toward other religions.