The Wonders of Solitude

by Dale Salwak (Editor)

?This diverse group of poets, novelists, artists, theologians, explorers, and psychologists muse on solitude as a means of discovering God and self, and as inspiration for creativity and inner peace. They grapple with how to reconcile the spirit of community with the spirit of seclusion, and, ultimately, how to use the power of silence and solitude to counter the distractions of our daily lives. The Wonders of Solitude is an inspiring companion in the struggle to remove ourselves, as Salwak writes, from "our peripheral concerns, from the pressures of a madly active world, and to return to the center where life is sacred - a humble miracle and mystery."

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Spirituality, Poetry

112 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 1995

Reviews

[Eve Castle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I own the hard copy of the 1995 book with 103 pages including the Publisher’s Preface, the Editor’s Introduction, the About the Editor and the Bibliographic Index by author. In the index, for example, you can find Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973), Chinese-American author, missionary, which indicates she has a quote on page 80:

“Inside myself is a place where I live all alone, and that’s where you renew your springs that never dry up.”

On Goodreads the book version is the one published December 21, 2011 and is 112 pages. Perhaps more content was added. Not sure.

This book is for anyone who enjoys reading uplifting quotes . . . these are specifically about silence and solitude from a wide variety of scholars, authors, poets, journalists, artists, actors, religious and spiritual leaders, U.S. Presidents and other leaders, etc., from across the world.

Some of my favorite quotes were those that provided direction on approaching silence and/or solitude.

This excerpt from J. Krishnamurti, Indian Philosopher is one example:

Have you ever sat very quietly without any movement? You try it, sit really still, with your back straight, and observe what your mind is doing. Don’t try to control it, don’t say it should not jump from one thought to another, from one interest to another, just be aware of how your mind is jumping. Don’t do anything about it, but watch it as from the banks of a river you watch the water flow by. In the flowing river there are so many things — fishes, leaves, dead animals — but it is always living, moving, and your mind is like that. It is everlastingly restless, flitting from one thing to another like a butterfly. . . . . It is great fun. < . . . >

This from Editor Dale Salwak’s introduction: “< . . . > in a society that tends to equate a need for solitude with laziness, inactivity, and nonproductiveness, I suspect that many people have lost possession of what Emily Dickinson has called the “appetite for silence.” < . . . >

I know I’ll find myself returning to this small collection regularly to refresh myself and/or to see if anyone I’m learning about has a quote included. I can see this could make a nice gift for anyone at an inflection point in their lives. I’ve decided to give it a 5.0 because of its eternal value.

[Dave Pettengill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book filled with powerful quotes on solitude and silence. I have grown more to love times of solitude and even silence. If you are looking for a book that offers small quotes that leave a lasting mark this is a good place to start, and it may even open the door for you to learn more about the people quoted

[Madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you are ever feeling lonely.... or feel like celebrating being alone... lots of inspiration here.

[Ketti · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me solitude is a gift and a wonder, I love solitude. Hundreds of fabulous quotes in this little gem.

- “Be still, and know that I am God. “ Psalm 46:10
- If you are alone, you belong entirely to yourself. – Leonardo Da Vinci

- Solitude --- walking alone, doing things alone --- is the most blessed thing in the world. The mind relaxes and thoughts begin to flow and I think that I am beginning to find myself a little bit – Helen Hayes, American Actress
- Thee is a hush in a home on the morning after death, a silence that would be violated by too many words. – Emily Dickinson
- …..a time to keep silence, and a time to speak. Ecclesiastes 3:7
- He that would live in peace and ease must not speak all he knows not judge all he sees. – Benjamin Franklin
- Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt. – Abraham Lincoln

[Carole Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't read this book since the late 1990s. Solitude can be confused with loneliness. We all need periods of solitude throughout the day. Just breathing and taking a glance out of the window at the wonders of nature for a few minutes can revitalize your mind and body. This book is loaded with quotes from the famous and not so famous about their ideas of solitude. We need not fear solitude and we don't need to fill our days with non-stop activities and sounds.

[Jeff DeRosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. This collection of quotes is well put-together. It does lack a bit of global diversity (this collection relies largely on American, British, and French authors). But it's insightful and eye opening. Before this read I never truly considered the power of solitude and the many places we can encounter or force this gift. This book also introduced me to some new authors. Nicely done.

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short collections of quotes and small essays shows that spending time alone isn’t always a bad thing. For anyone who feels lonely this book can act as a reminder of the beauty that can be found by yourself.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of the benefit of solitude and silence.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book of quotes on various aspects of silence and solitude. Lots to think about.

[Owen Dodd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bedside book of quotes; dislike some of the quotes themselves, albeit I've never found aphorisms very appealing in the first place. Likely will not revisit

[Cindie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My go to for years!

[Marianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of quotes regarding solitude...