Well, I will say that the Trappists are very practical about spiritual matters, and encourage keeping the hours of prayer throughout the day, it's too big an experience to summarize in a post, but Thomas Merton was the least of it. For some reason, I couldn't identify with him and his struggles, as much as with some others...
Evelyn Underhill wrote a terrific book called "Mysticism" which explores the spiritual journey in all its aspects..it was a map through unfamiliar territory, for me; the journey doesn't end in this life, though, I'm convinced. Underhill's book was from a largely Catholic (though not exclusive) perspective.
Wow. I'd love to spend some time in a monastery but I'm afraid it would be a case like Maria in the Sound of Music. I think they'd be glad I left:) I haven't seen Underhill's book but I will look for it sometime. I do a lot of spiritual reading and am addicted to books!