Stillness: Daily Gifts of Solitude (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Imagine the epitome of "peace and quiet..." (more)
Key Phrases: New Mexico, United States, Slow Food (more...)

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.

Product Description

As a successful writer and journalist, Richard Mahler lived in the LA fast lane. But when he began practising meditation and yoga he began to realise the dramatic benefits of diminishing the chaos that engulfed him. Eventually, he sought extreme solitude in a three-month retreat in the snowy Tusas Mountains of New Mexico. In Stillness, Mahler shares what he learned on his retreat and reveals the techniques used to recreate the benefits of solitude anywhere and for any period of time.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 166 pages
• Publisher: Red Wheel; illustrated edition edition (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.com Sales Rank: #776,741 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 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

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!

3 of 3 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 (REAL NAME)

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.