Thomas Merton’s Path to the Palace of Nowhere

By: James Finley

Narrated by: James Finley

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Thomas Merton, Trappist monk, author, and student of Zen, remains one of the most important and beloved figures in the modern Christian contemplative movement. His writings, which bridge Eastern and Western spiritual thought, continue to inspire us with their real possibilities for immediate and direct experience of the divine. Now James Finley, who for six years lived, prayed, and studied with Brother Louis, as Merton was known at the Abbey of Gethsemani, shares with us the gifts passed on to him by this towering figure in Thomas Merton's Path to the Palace of Nowhere.

First presented at a series of popular retreats, this full audio program takes a participatory approach to Merton's most useful teachings, helping us to discover our true self...to disappear into God; to be submerged into his peace; to be lost in the secret of his face, as Merton said, through daily practices including contemplation, prayer, and faith. In the end we find ourselves in what the Taoist sage Chuang Tzu called the Palace of Nowhere, where all the many things are one. There is an Eastern teaching called transmission of mind, in which the enlightened mind embodied in the master is manifest in the student's awakening. It is in this spirit that James Finley invites us to follow Thomas Merton's Path to the Palace of Nowhere.

©2004 James Finley (P)2004 James Finley

A continual awakening!

Loved it! Packed full of insights opening me to clarity of past experiences. I'll go through it again! ~ Lynn

A must listen

A must listen for whoever desires to live a more contemplative life. A remarkable recording.

Transformative

I will repeat the experience of listening to this book hopefully with others. So much here opens the heart to sharing and mutual understanding that it simply must be shared.

contemplation and meditation

Fantastic down to Earth , wholistic teachings , narrated in a poetic peaceful and loving way .

Life

Hugely impactful

Not sure why I have to write thirteen more words to get this published but here they are plus some.

Excellent humility

James Finley gives an amazing and profound series of meditations in this work. Clear and very helpful on so many fronts. I'm so thankful to have come upon this series of talks.

Awesome

They are making me write 14 words for this review. I can sum it up in one: Awesome

Growth is the only evidence of life

Although James Finley's presentation is a little melancholy, his temperament is easy to follow. Don't expect to be exhilarated by his method but do expect to be challenged.

Growth is the only evidence of life and Thomas Merton's path to wholeness is not a journey for the faint of heart. Be prepared not to be pampered.
If you are serious about your spiritual life, you will be moved to action but not action packed. It all depends on where you are before you enter Merton's Palace of Nowhere.

Personally I could have used a little more of a boost but I can go to other author's like Richard Rohr. In reality I have to go within myself to best understand how the Spirit of God is working through me. Sometimes very subtle and other times it's like a wake up call in the middle of the night.,(many times through dreams) It all depends on what you are ready to accept on your quest.

God doesn't go where He/She is not invited. If you are brave enough to invite a guest into your heart you will receive the gift of grace to further the relationship. In the end, as it is in the beginning. it's all about the relationship

Deep. Greatly valuable on the path.

The narrator is a contemplative - his voice alone gets you there. The book is well-crafted, profound, and ... sparkling!

James Finley is a gift to all seekers

as I listened to James Finley speak about his experience and understanding of the greatest spiritual guide of my lifetime Thomas Merton, I wept I laughed and I felt loved overwhelmingly.