For forty years, James Finley’s Merton's Palace of Nowhere  has been the standard text for exploring, reflecting on, and understanding the rich vein of Thomas Merton's thought. Spiritual identity is the quest to know who we are, to find meaning, to overcome that sense of “Is this all there is?” Merton’s message cuts to the heart of this universal quest, and Finley illuminates that message as no one else can. As a young man of eighteen, Finley left home for an unlikely destination: the Abbey of Gethsemani, where Thomas Merton lived as a contemplative. Finley stayed at the monastery for six maturing years and later wrote this Merton’s Palace of Nowhere in order to share a taste of what he had learned on his spiritual journey under the guidance of one of the great religious figures of our time. At the heart of the quest for spiritual identity are Merton's illuminating insights—leading from an awareness of the false and illusory self to a realization of the true self. Dog-eared, tattered, underlined copies of this book are found on the bookshelves of retreat centers, parish libraries, and the homes of spiritual seekers everywhere. This anniversary edition brings a classic to a new generation and includes a new preface by Finley. “This book is ... not primarily about Merton. Rather, it is a book about our spiritual journey, for which Merton offers ideas, suggestions and necessary encouragement, but in which he never becomes the object of interest himself.... James Finley has chosen to lift out of Merton's works the theme of our quest for a spiritual identity.” -- Henri J. M. Nouwen (from the foreword) “May the clear and compelling message of this book encourage us all to follow along the authentic path of Christian discipleship.” -- Br. Patrick Hart, O.C.S.O. , Abbey of Gethsemani “James Finley is a superb mentor of spiritual transformation. Merton's Palace of Nowhere contains a gold mine of wisdom. It is a book that will never leave my library. There are always more nuggets of spiritual growth in this book that wait for my discovery.” -- Joyce Rupp , author of Boundless Compassion “This now-classic text celebrates its fortieth anniversary of publication on the fiftieth anniversary of Thomas Merton's death. In the intervening years, James Finley's poetic and insightful exploration of the true self and Merton’s many contributions to the spiritual life has proven an invaluable resource and guidebook. With this new edition, more readers will have the opportunity to accompany Merton’s former novice in learning to see themselves, the world, and God with renewed vision.” -- Rev. Daniel P. Horan, O.F.M. , author of The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton “Few people can write with as much authority on Thomas Merton as can his former student James Finley. Let Finley, in this new edition of his now-classic book, introduce you to one of the greatest spiritual masters of our age, and the man whose writings changed many lives, including my own.”-- Rev. James Martin, S.J. James Finley is a contemplative retreat leader, a core teacher at the Center for Action and Contemplation's Living School, and a retired clinical psychologist. He is the author of several books including Merton's Palace of Nowhere , The Contemplative Heart , and Christian Meditation . He studied spirituality and philosophy and lived for several years as a monk at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky under the spiritual direction of Thomas Merton. Finley has a doctorate in psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary, a master’s degree in education from St. John College, and a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Akron. He lives with his wife, Maureen Fox, in Marina del Rey, California. Henri J. M. Nouwen (1932-1996) , one of the most popular spiritual writers of our time, was ordained a priest in 1957 in Holland. He wrote more than forty books, among them the bestselling Out of Solitude . He taught at the University of Notre Dame as well as at Yale and Harvard Universities. From 1986 until his death in 1996 he was part of the L’Arche Daybreak community in Toronto, where he shared his life with people with mental disabilities. Merton's Palace of Nowhere: 40th Anniversary Edition