Richard Mahler
Writer, Radio Producer, Teacher, and Media Consultant

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Stillness

Summary of Stillness

During the winter and early spring of 1998, Richard Mahler embarked on the adventure that inspired this book. For 97 days, he lived alone in a snow-covered landscape, high in the mountains of northern New Mexico. Richard was caretaker of a remote wilderness ranch, living without electricity, indoor plumbing, telephone, TV, and e-mail. His only source of heat was a woodstove and his only companions were such wild animals as elk, bobcats, owls, and coyotes. Oh, yes, and mice! He emerged after three and one-half months with the conviction that the world is too crowded, fast, and loud for our own good. This book argues that spending as little as 10 minutes each day in silence and solitude benefits our mental and physical health. It includes excerpts from the journal Richard kept during his wilderness retreat as well as references to research documenting the positive impact of "quiet alone-time." Published in 2003 by Red Wheel/Weiser. (Magazine articles based on this book have appeared in Yoga Journal, Utne, Alternative Medicine, and Body and Soul.)

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Excerpt from Stillness

An embrace of silence and solitude allows us to touch the fullness of possibility, awakening to the cause and effect of our lives. Quiet alone-time opens up space for observations, musings, and reflections. Being a healthy human, engaged in life and accepting ourselves in a loving way, demands self-awareness. If a person never stops to listen to his or her heart and mind, how can he or she begin to know-much less understand-what is truly felt, valued, thought, known, and wanted? [p. 144]

Reviews of Stillness

"We all need to be reminded to stop, to be still, to rest in the spaciousness of our own internal landscape. Richard Mahler provides such a reminder with this beautifully written account of his own journey into solitude."

"Throughout history, the wisest teachers, like Richard Mahler, have always emphasized the value of silence and focused awareness. In our increasingly frenetic, chaotic world, Mahler's message is urgent."

"Healing, reflective, nurturing, and luminously written, Stillness offers a quiet respite in a clamorous, polluted world."

"[Stillness] advocates eloquently and convincingly for the virtues of solitude."

"This is a literate, engagingly written look at the noise and frenzy of modern society-and how we can reclaim our lives from it. A welcome addition to the literature of contemplation."

"Many are likely to find Mahler's ideas useful. His words are encouraging and soothing, a welcome affirmation that it is perfectly okay to sit quietly, doing nothing."

"[Stillness] makes a good case for the healing and salutary benefits of quiet alone-time... For millions of stressed out and inwardly discontented souls, it will prove to be good medicine."

"Richard Mahler delivers a heart-to-heart in Stillness... He combines excerpts from his retreat diary, facts, quotes, and exercises into a narrative that prompts you to be more creative and thoughtful in how you realign (or even reinvent) your life. The first step, however, is admitting you have a problem. And if you are a busy-ness addict, Stillness is the prescription."

"Mahler is engaging in a profound reflection on how we live today. In fine prose style, Stillness explores how humans throughout history have sought solitude and silence and the gifts they have found there... [The author] offers his own excellent advice on how we can bring more stillness into our lives. A wonderful book."

"Clear articulation of an immensely important set of issues-and what we can do about them in our own lives... Stillness is abundantly helpful."

"Realistic suggestions for finding solitude in everyday life."

"Mahler... offers valuable information and explains some of the underlying causes [of high-stress lifestyles], along with good advice for making positive changes... One of the essential things he points out is to reduce the pace of one's life and to truly listen... A book with deep insight into a matter far too much ignored by far too many people. We all ought to heed Mahler's well-meant advice."

"This book is by far my favorite. I have read it four times and keep it right by my bed so it is easily accessible when I need it. I have bought a number of copies for my friends and family, and I suggest Stillness to anyone I talk to who is remotely interested in solitude. This book has the best suggestions and most useful information out there. I am thankful for this amazing book."

"Eloquent, convincing, and well-thought-out."

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