Thomas Merton, the Trappist Monk, is noted for his conception of the true self, the real person who is often obscured by fears or insecurities or sinfulness or other factors.
Yesterday’s 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time gospel was the story of the father who asked his two sons to work in the vineyard. One said he wouldn’t but then did the work. The other said he would work but then refused to do it.
Here is a commentary from Daily Prayer 2026 that places that gospel story in the context of an understanding of the true self:
