The Wisdom of Solitude: A Zen Retreat in the Woods

by Jane Dobisz

The whole idea of being alone had always intrigued me, yet at the same time scared me half to death. Being alone would mean no human contact, no talking, no going to work, paying bills, running errands, or doing any of the usual things I spent so much energy on. What would that be like? Who would I find there, underneath all the layers of social conditioning, obligations, rules, and cultural filters? Would I even like this person? It seemed the best way to find out would be to follow the traditional monastic schedule of sitting, walking, chanting, bowing, and cutting wood for one hundred days. -- from the Introduction Inspired by her Korean Zen master's discipline of long, solitary retreats, Jane Dobisz strikes out to a lone cabin in the countryside of New England, armed with nothing but determination, modest food supplies, and an intensely regimented daily practice schedule. The unfolding story of her experience is threaded through with Zen teachings and striking insights into the miracles and foibles of the human mind when left to its own devices, with little distraction at hand. Both entertaining and inspiring, The Wisdom of Solitude offers a poignant testament to the benefits that reflection and retreat of any duration bring to our lives.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Zen, Biography Memoir, Philosophy

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Jessica Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book while living in a farm house in the woods. It was perfect then... and continues now to remain a sweet reminder of the quiet beneath surface of daily life. Dobisz' voice is honest, light, and deeply human. Her integration of Buddhist tales and poetry supplements an already rich memoir, meant to be read a few pages at a time, as a morning meditation or bedside companion.

[Tfalcone]

Lovely...especially seated before a kiva fireplace perched above Santa Fe after a high desert snowstorm.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

been waiting for years to read this book... finally borrowed it from the zen center. it's a quick read, very insightful and accessible.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and plan to make a gift of it to my sister-in-law, a yoga teacher, keeping my own copy to reread in the coming year. It's a little gem. I put it down feeling that I had a better understanding of Buddhism than ever before and with tremendous respect for the author and the retreat journey her book describes. She takes us inside her experience and the book is almost a poem to what is essential in life. Just beautiful!! The writing is poetry and the insights are priceless.

[Jenn Scha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly appealing scenario to me. Solitude in the woods of New England? Sign me up.

It was an enjoyable read, although I think had higher expectations for the end of her time there. I feel a little weird saying that because it really is mostly a diary of her experience and that's the point. Life is just...life.

[janicec100 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I didn't think the book was that great, although it was sort of calming to read while visiting high energy grandkids. The author spends 100 days in a simple cabin with no running water, a very basic diet, etc. I was thinking maybe I could try the diet part of it, just here in my house...

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

A refreshing, honest account of a 100 day solitude in a cabin in the woods.

[Madman Reads & Rocks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very succinct. Very Zen. 👍😎👍

[Nicki Berens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like I was there with her. So wise, so descriptive, so many things I needed to read.

[Ben Wedgwood]

(Grammar) How does the author begin and end each chapter?

(Evaluation) Do you agree with the way that she follows her Zen schedule everyday, and do you think that she is getting the full experience out of it?

(Analysis) Why do you think that she chose to go out and do the whole Zen retreat in the woods?

[Needham B · Rating 5 out of 5]

made me want to live in the woods alone for 3 and a half months.

[Adrian]

This book inspired me to deepen my practice.

[Paul Pangle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining account of a 100 day retreat spent alone in a tiny cabin in new england.

[Bob Shadel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. Fairly self centric rendition of time alone in the woods.

[Ryan Madman Reads & Rocks]

Very inspiring, very enlightening.