Stillness: Daily Gifts of Solitude [Hardcover]

Richard Mahler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2003

Hardcover signed edition. With dedication on fly leaf, plus signature without dedication on title page.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Mahler, who has written about his travels, the environment and spirituality (Secrets of Becoming a Late Bloomer, co-authored with Connie Goldman), here advocates eloquently and convincingly for the virtues of solitude. Four years ago, dealing with professional uncertainty and a deteriorating relationship with the woman in his life, the author voluntarily took a job as a winter caretaker on a remote ranch in New Mexico's Tusas Mountains, in order to experience an extended period of silence and contemplation. Part memoir, part guide, Mahler's account of what he learned is laced with reflective excerpts from the journal he kept during this period as well as with the words of others who have drawn strength from solitude. Although he acknowledges missing communication with other humans, Mahler found the inner journey he took during this time gave him heightened self-acceptance and an ability to live in the present moment. Since most people in the Western world exist in a hectic environment filled with noise, crowds and distractions, the author argues that seeking out regular periods of quiet, through meditation, yoga or spending time alone outdoors will reduce stress and may lead to a simpler existence, one with perhaps less income and consumer goods but also with a slower, more personally satisfying pace of life. Mahler also offers his well-thought-out concerns regarding the erosion of pristine wilderness areas caused by development and noise pollution. National advertising.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

An Excerpt from Stillness: Daily Gifts of Solitude by Richard Mahler

Richard Mahler pays tribute to the many benefits of quiet-alone time. Here is an excerpt saluting the sensual pleasures of silence and solitude.

"Among the first casualties of a too-busy life are the simple, sensory enjoyments that often do not survive in the fast lane. When you find time to be quiet and alone, even for a half-hour or less, such fragile pleasures may be rediscovered. They are part of what can make life feel more complete and satisfying. Suggestions for experiencing these small ecstasies include:

• Listen to the small sounds of your household that trigger positive feelings in you: someone singing, children playing, your spouse or partner laughing, a pet making its familiar quirky noises, or someone engaged in a favorite hobby or pastime.

• Close your eyes and take a memory trip in your mind to a time and place that brought special enjoyment to you. Ask yourself, "What did it look, smell, feel, and sound like?" "What tastes, textures, and emotions are associated with this experience?" " Can I re-create this wondrous time and hold it inside of me?"

• Do some things differently that you usually do in a distracted or off-handed manner. Specifically, try doing them alone and without speaking. This might include taking a walk, preparing and eating a meal, bathing, exercising, and listening to music you like. Notice whether the sensitivity of your senses is heightened or your mind is more engaged and attentive.

• If you have someone in your life who is willing and interested, try making love in a silent, yet demonstrably affectionate way. Without words, you may discover that other ways of communicating-through eye contact, smelling, touching, and body language, for instance-may take on new meaning.

• In your bubble of quiet alone-time, note the ways you appreciate yourself. Give yourself credit for who (and how) you are. Mentally note your best qualities, including aspects that others who are around you a lot (i.e., spouse, family members, colleagues, boss) seem to undervalue. If you like parts of your body, acknowledge that, too, opening your eyes to take them in."

Product Details

• Hardcover: 166 pages
• Publisher: Red Wheel Weiser (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590030427
• ISBN-13: 978-1590030424
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #450,757 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard Mahler believes being a writer is the best job in the world. He sees it as a passport to explore new places, ideas, people, emotions, and perspectives. "I couldn't imagine doing anything else for a living," he says. For decades, Richard has used this passport to write about arts, culture, health, politics, conservation, travel, indigenous peoples, the media, and personal transformation. As a newspaper columnist, he tells stories of the interesting but little-known New Mexicans who make his state the most quirky and independent in the U.S. Richard has written thousands of articles for hundreds of print and on-line publications, in addition to being an independent radio producer and commentator. He has authored (or co-authored) eleven books, including a recipe-filled summary of Santa Fe's best restaurants, a travel guide to Palm Springs, meditations on the rewards of gardening and of aging, and a memoir about the 97 days he spent in the stillness and solitude of an alpine wilderness. When not writing, Richard is a free-lance editor, teacher of mindfulness-based stress reduction, and tour guide for visitors to historic Silver City, NM. He loves to hike in the deserts and mountains near his home atop the Continental Divide. Richard invites comments on his work via www.RichardMahler.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stillness: Daily Gifts of Solitude, May 27, 2003

By 

Claire Willis (Brookline, Ma United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stillness: Daily Gifts of Solitude (Hardcover)

As a clinical social worker, mother, partner and yoga teacher, I think that this book is a sorely needed and necessary antidote to the fast, computer driven culture in which we live. Richard describes his own journey toward solitude with humility and honesty. He outlines the health benefits of stillness as well as unexpected contemplative and creative outcomes of solitude and makes numerous "doable" suggestions as to how to bring more silence into even the busiest life. He cogently makes the point that a life lived from the deepest part of our souls, not only requires but demands stillness. As you read the book, you see that silence is not a luxury, it is a necessity for a thoughtful and conscious life. This is a book I want people I love to read and I am buying several copies to give away as gifts. In addition, I work with people living with cancer and will be sure to make them available to both the staff as well as our client library. Thank you, Richard!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A pleasant quick reflective read, June 26, 2005

By 

Michael Johnson (Livonia, MI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stillness: Daily Gifts of Solitude (Hardcover)

I own a lot of books on solitude. However, this one is a nice overview of the subject. The most helpful parts of the book actually comes in his use of a wide variety of other books and materials. The book liberally quotes from many other books on solitude. It is a good place to start on the subject and branch off into more authors. The author tends to mention yoga and eastern spirituality quite a lot but never beats the reader over the head with it. It comes across as sensible and reasonable and not prone to navel gazing. The only improvement could have come with his journal entries from his 90 days spent in solitude. The journal entries tend to jump around and not add much light to the material. This is not a journal written in solitude but rather an overview of the subject after having digested 90 days in solitude. His advice is to try 30 minutes of silence per day without radio, TV, books, or other outside interference. It definitely deepened my interest in the subject and left me desiring some solitude.