Learning from Silence

From the acclaimed writer of The Art of Stillness, this insightful examination delves into the enduring peace and clarity achievable through tranquil retreat. Over the last thirty years, Pico Iyer has embarked on more than a hundred voyages to a secluded hermitage perched above the sea in Big Sur, California. Though not aligned with Christianity or any religious faction, these silent sojourns have profoundly altered his life.In Learning from Silence, Iyer immerses himself in the depths of inner peace and happiness during his numerous stays at the monastery, even as his personal life faces upheavals: homes destroyed by fire, the passing of a parent, and the diagnosis of his daughter with cancer. He reveals the insights gained alongside wisdom from others who have also navigated hardship and introspection. Most strikingly, he illustrates how solitude can be a preparation for community and fellowship.Through this, he provides a distinctive perspective on monastic existence and the group of altruistic individuals devoted to creating a haven for reflection and tranquility accessible to everyone. Poignant, personal, and captivating, Learning from Silence imparts timeless guidance on the significance of silence and its teachings on living, loving, and eventually, dying.