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Turning Down The Noise: The quiet power of silence in a busy world
Through the centuries, wise men and women have sought silence when seeking insight, wisdom and creative inspiration. Is neuroscience now beginning to catch up, to deliver proof that the mystics, monks and medicine men were onto something?
Turning Down the Noise explores, through Christine Jackman's own quest for a better way of being, what is happening to our brains, to our lives and our communities as our world becomes noisier than ever before. More importantly, it asks whether we can reverse the damage through simple daily acts designed to strip out the stimuli and reclaim the silence.
Our children have a plethora of devices and technology available to them, but increasingly are distracted, irritable and struggling to learn. The modern search for a better sense of wellbeing has fuelled an industry worth billions of dollars but at the same time the use of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications continue to skyrocket.
This is real-life working mum and respected journalist Christine Jackman's personal quest for a better way of being. Seeking ways to channel and capture the clarity and peace of mind so often lacking in our lives, she writes with a lightness of touch, sharing her own experiences and digging into her subject with the zeal of an investigative journalist with an enquiring mind.
Turning Down the Noise explores, through Christine Jackman's own quest for a better way of being, what is happening to our brains, to our lives and our communities as our world becomes noisier than ever before. More importantly, it asks whether we can reverse the damage through simple daily acts designed to strip out the stimuli and reclaim the silence.
Our children have a plethora of devices and technology available to them, but increasingly are distracted, irritable and struggling to learn. The modern search for a better sense of wellbeing has fuelled an industry worth billions of dollars but at the same time the use of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications continue to skyrocket.
This is real-life working mum and respected journalist Christine Jackman's personal quest for a better way of being. Seeking ways to channel and capture the clarity and peace of mind so often lacking in our lives, she writes with a lightness of touch, sharing her own experiences and digging into her subject with the zeal of an investigative journalist with an enquiring mind.
320 pages, Paperback
Published April 20, 2021
13 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 20, 2023
I found this book, at times, to be very long, repetitive in parts which unfortunately made me tune out and added noise to my own few day that it took for me to listen to this audio.
I enjoyed many of the anecdotes the author portrayed about her need for silence, and her career as a journalist and excellent way of gleaning any information out of a subject. She is a keen observer and a good listener.
What made me feel a little uncomfortable, then which affected my enjoyment and rating, was the ability to be able to attend many sojourns, retreats, flitting here and there in her search for quiet. She did mention as a single mum there were challenges, but I saw none. I saw privilege and the ability to do more than most of us in her never ending search.
Organisational busyness was an interesting concept for me to hear more about. Workplaces busily and continually holding meetings meetings meetings without much progress, and workers having the need, or inclination to appear busy and productive for the sake of. I know where I work there are so many meetings, of which I see no relatable progress!
I like the idea of having a day of the week where no meetings are held. The author discussed, as many authors have before her, the idea of open planned offices and the pros and cons of this in relation to productivity and workers' mental health/comfortability.
I was impressed at the level of research carried out, Christine Jackman is a very smart (she told us this a couple of times) and capable woman, who tells her story of searching for a better level of life/noise/busyness level in her life. I found it a little long, or perhaps I was looking for something different to that was on offer.
I enjoyed many of the anecdotes the author portrayed about her need for silence, and her career as a journalist and excellent way of gleaning any information out of a subject. She is a keen observer and a good listener.
What made me feel a little uncomfortable, then which affected my enjoyment and rating, was the ability to be able to attend many sojourns, retreats, flitting here and there in her search for quiet. She did mention as a single mum there were challenges, but I saw none. I saw privilege and the ability to do more than most of us in her never ending search.
Organisational busyness was an interesting concept for me to hear more about. Workplaces busily and continually holding meetings meetings meetings without much progress, and workers having the need, or inclination to appear busy and productive for the sake of. I know where I work there are so many meetings, of which I see no relatable progress!
I like the idea of having a day of the week where no meetings are held. The author discussed, as many authors have before her, the idea of open planned offices and the pros and cons of this in relation to productivity and workers' mental health/comfortability.
I was impressed at the level of research carried out, Christine Jackman is a very smart (she told us this a couple of times) and capable woman, who tells her story of searching for a better level of life/noise/busyness level in her life. I found it a little long, or perhaps I was looking for something different to that was on offer.
April 19, 2021
Through the centuries, wise men and women have sought silence when seeking insight, wisdom and creative inspiration. Is neuroscience now beginning to catch up, to deliver proof that the mystics, monks and medicine men were onto something?
Turning Down the Noise explores, through Christine Jackman's own quest for a better way of being, what is happening to our brains, to our lives and our communities as our world becomes noisier than ever before. More importantly, it asks whether we can reverse the damage through simple daily acts designed to strip out the stimuli and reclaim the silence.
Our children have a plethora of devices and technology available to them, but increasingly are distracted, irritable and struggling to learn. The modern search for a better sense of wellbeing has fuelled an industry worth billions of dollars but at the same time the use of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications continue to skyrocket.
This is real-life working mum and respected journalist Christine Jackman's personal quest for a better way of being. Seeking ways to channel and capture the clarity and peace of mind so often lacking in our lives, she writes with a lightness of touch, sharing her own experiences and digging into her subject with the zeal of an investigative journalist with an enquiring mind
As someone who very much enjoys her own space and the purity of silence, I found this an interesting and informative read. It's packed with research, facts and statistics that help you to understand the power of silence in a world filled with noise, both online and offline, and stressful situations. I recommend this particularly for those who struggle to be alone and those with busy lives to help them understand just how effective and impactful peaceful surroundings can be for clarity of thinking and understanding yourself as an individual.
Turning Down the Noise explores, through Christine Jackman's own quest for a better way of being, what is happening to our brains, to our lives and our communities as our world becomes noisier than ever before. More importantly, it asks whether we can reverse the damage through simple daily acts designed to strip out the stimuli and reclaim the silence.
Our children have a plethora of devices and technology available to them, but increasingly are distracted, irritable and struggling to learn. The modern search for a better sense of wellbeing has fuelled an industry worth billions of dollars but at the same time the use of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications continue to skyrocket.
This is real-life working mum and respected journalist Christine Jackman's personal quest for a better way of being. Seeking ways to channel and capture the clarity and peace of mind so often lacking in our lives, she writes with a lightness of touch, sharing her own experiences and digging into her subject with the zeal of an investigative journalist with an enquiring mind
As someone who very much enjoys her own space and the purity of silence, I found this an interesting and informative read. It's packed with research, facts and statistics that help you to understand the power of silence in a world filled with noise, both online and offline, and stressful situations. I recommend this particularly for those who struggle to be alone and those with busy lives to help them understand just how effective and impactful peaceful surroundings can be for clarity of thinking and understanding yourself as an individual.
November 12, 2020
I found this a bit heavy on the research. For me I would’ve liked a bit more of her personal journey. I think some of it was weighed down by all the facts. Well researched and well written but not my cup of tea all up.
September 12, 2021
Looking for a read that confronts yourbad habits but offers a glimmer of hope that there might be a better way - and gives you some practical steps to get there?
I’ve just finished reading Turning Down the Noise - and it was all the things I needed to read, and many of the things I’ve been refusing to acknowledge for a while now.
In the book, Christine looks at the incessant noise we face in our lives (audible, mental, digital and more) - and ways we can reverse the overwhelm and damage it can cause. )
Turning Down The Noise is filled with personal stories from Christine’s life as an investigative journalist, communications executive, author and parent, as well as the different things she has tried on a quest for peace. It’s meaty, with research and evidence to support the recommendations.
It’s also reassuring to learn that someone I’ve long admired in her career has the same uncertainty, insecurities and challenges that I do…and to follow along as she works her way through them.
At the back of the book is a very practical guide to cultivating silence in our lives…almost a tasting menu to get started with silence. It’s well worth a read.
I’ve just finished reading Turning Down the Noise - and it was all the things I needed to read, and many of the things I’ve been refusing to acknowledge for a while now.
In the book, Christine looks at the incessant noise we face in our lives (audible, mental, digital and more) - and ways we can reverse the overwhelm and damage it can cause. )
Turning Down The Noise is filled with personal stories from Christine’s life as an investigative journalist, communications executive, author and parent, as well as the different things she has tried on a quest for peace. It’s meaty, with research and evidence to support the recommendations.
It’s also reassuring to learn that someone I’ve long admired in her career has the same uncertainty, insecurities and challenges that I do…and to follow along as she works her way through them.
At the back of the book is a very practical guide to cultivating silence in our lives…almost a tasting menu to get started with silence. It’s well worth a read.
September 24, 2022
super interesting book - it's persuading me to start trying meditation
put-down
December 29, 2021I don’t like to give up on books. I really don’t. I listened to the audiobook for two hours today, while waiting in a huge queue for a Covid-19 test. I’m up to the part where the author is giving a blow-by-blow description of a vipassana meditation retreat she was doing. It was like watching paint dry. Maybe if I was more earnest, I could see the spiritual benefits of watching paint dry. I gave up and listened to podcasts. I am going to have to give up on this.
June 18, 2021
The truth of Christine Jackman's premise is undeniable: Western culture is overwhelmingly drenched in noise and busyness and our exhausted souls require a regular, purposeful time of silence. Midway through the book, however, Jackman almost lost me. Her search for healing silence led her to participate in a 10-day, silent retreat. The "equanimity," or "accepting the conditions without resistance or craving for something different" sought by retreat participants unsettled me. The ability to emotionally step back from situations has clear value for an individual. As members of a community, however, the dispassionate approach fails to address the very issues that distress thoughtful individuals such as Jackman. By the next chapter, though, Jackman acknowledged that the retreat was not a magic cure and continued to work through exceptionally well presented research about the dangers of our rush and noise society. By the book's end Jackman reflected on the words of poet Audrey Lorde: "Your silence will not protect you" in the context of environmental issues that moved her from observer to activist. She also reflected on the work of contemplatives from both Christian and Buddhist traditions who balance times of silent reflective practice with times of social engagement and action. Jackman ends with "Silence: A How-To Guide" but readers will mostly come away with an appreciation for one journalist's journey through noise and into a purposeful sense of peace.
Read
January 26, 2022Christine Jackman’s book is an interesting work on the ‘Quiet Power of Silence in a Busy World,’ drawing upon her personal experiences and her research skills as an investigative journalist [13 pages of notes/references and 4 pages of suggestive readings]. Noise and it’s ramifications on our lives, brain, well-being, soul. Interesting look at statistics and science concerning ‘digital noise.’
Looks at ways to find balance including:
“Nature was particularly good at creating conditions that are ‘softly fascinating’ - ripples on a pond, the changing colors on clouds as the sun sets, the sound of rain on leaves . . . “
Power of meditation. “Gold standard studies have shown that a meditation practice strengthens a person’s ‘selective attention’ - the ability to focus - and increases the time they consists in attention.”
“Silence is the think tank of the soul-not the absence of something, but the presence of something, but the presence of everything . . . In quiet, we hear who we were, who we are, and who we need to be . . . The art of listening is the art of self-quieting. The art of self-quieting is the art of being. Simply be still and observe.” [Gordon Hempton].
“Ask Silence the questions you have. Just ask - and take note of the answers.” [Hempton]
“There is nothing more important than what you are attending to . . .” [Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr]
Looks at ways to find balance including:
“Nature was particularly good at creating conditions that are ‘softly fascinating’ - ripples on a pond, the changing colors on clouds as the sun sets, the sound of rain on leaves . . . “
Power of meditation. “Gold standard studies have shown that a meditation practice strengthens a person’s ‘selective attention’ - the ability to focus - and increases the time they consists in attention.”
“Silence is the think tank of the soul-not the absence of something, but the presence of something, but the presence of everything . . . In quiet, we hear who we were, who we are, and who we need to be . . . The art of listening is the art of self-quieting. The art of self-quieting is the art of being. Simply be still and observe.” [Gordon Hempton].
“Ask Silence the questions you have. Just ask - and take note of the answers.” [Hempton]
“There is nothing more important than what you are attending to . . .” [Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr]
June 22, 2021
A complete game-changer! I felt compelled to purchase this book after listening to Christine speak at The Brisbane Writers Festival. Along with detailing her own experiences of trying to find calm in the somewhat chaotic world we find ourselves today, Christine shares a plethora of research about the importance of switching off and digging deep. I feel this book will be returned to again and again.
March 19, 2021
"I learnt that day that silence - the precious, then unmaluable space in which one was free to think and breath and simply be - was not to be trusted, it must be avoided assiduously. It took Me more than four decades, and a lot of unnecessary noise and disturbance to unlearn those rules"
Silence is golden and anyone who disagrees is fine to enjoy their noise in their own space
Silence is golden and anyone who disagrees is fine to enjoy their noise in their own space
November 17, 2021
*4.5*
A truly fantastic book! Slow burn towards the middle as it did get a bit slow but the ending was so packed with information and I can honestly say I learned a lot about technology statistics and feel even more comfortable with me finding peace in silence.
A truly fantastic book! Slow burn towards the middle as it did get a bit slow but the ending was so packed with information and I can honestly say I learned a lot about technology statistics and feel even more comfortable with me finding peace in silence.
July 25, 2021
Thank you Christine. A quiet blessing of invitation and receptivity to be present, be aware and move with the silence rather than be driven by noise.
April 15, 2022
Absolutely loved it. I have found myself creating more balance in my life, both during and after reading, this fantastic book.
June 26, 2025
3.5 stars. It had some really interesting points & some really lovey writing. I learned some things & it made me think. We did this book at book club & while it wasn’t my choice, I did enjoy the book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews