The Seven Storey Mountain: Fiftieth-Anniversary Edition

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER · THE CLASSIC BESTSELLER WITH MORE THAN 2 MILLION SOLD. [Merton] is an incredible source of light and comfort and humor. ― Anne Lamott. The famous spiritual autobiography of one of the most acclaimed faith leaders and theologians of our time. Credited as being the first major Catholic book to achieve widespread popularity in America, this celebrated Christian classic details Thomas Merton’s spiritual evolution, which has captivated millions since its publication. Based on Merton’s personal journals, The Seven Storey Mountain is a profound Catholic conversion story that tells of the growing restlessness of a brilliant and passionate young man, who at the age of twenty-six, takes vows in one of the most demanding Catholic orders―the Trappist monks. At the Abbey of Gethsemani, the four walls of my new freedom, Thomas Merton struggles to withdraw from the world into a contemplative life, but only after he has fully immersed himself in it. At the abbey, he wrote this extraordinary testament, a unique spiritual memoir that has been recognized as one of the most influential religious works of our time. In this remarkable book, readers will gain insight into: How spiritual fulfillment leads to the deepest form of self-discovery, The true redemption that comes from forgiving ourselves and past sins, The sacred power of vulnerability and relinquishing control, How to navigate our desires, discouragements, possibilities, and limitations, How our cumulative lived experiences broaden our cultural acceptance, What it truly means to be human in the world. Arriving on the heels of the devastation of WWII, Merton’s compellingly passionate words touched a society longing for direction and a true sense of purpose. This work continues to inspire and motivate both present day believers and non-believers alike, through intimate discussions of the power of the human spirit during times of suffering and immense self-doubt. While Merton’s story is uncommon, his experiences are universal--touching those of all backgrounds and identities. The immediacy of his words and reflections bring solace to an anxious world. Translated into more than twenty languages and for readers of Jennie Allen, Brené Brown, and Flannery O'Connor, this spiritual journey towards enlightenment exposes the trials and tribulations that give our lives their ultimate meaning. The more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer, because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you, in proportion to your fear of being hurt. The one who does most to avoid suffering is, in the end, the one who suffers most.