Stilte: The Dutch Art of Quietude

by Mirjam van der Vegt

We long for moments we can slow down and be still.  Our days are often filled with too much noise, anxiety, and confusion. What do you do when your life isn’t what you expected it to be? What can you do to slow it all down? Stilte encourages readers to focus on stillness and literal silence, creating space for moments of peace. Originally published in Dutch, Stilte reveals a grace-filled lifestyle. It shows practical ways for how to receive inner calmness and serenity. It brings you closer to the heart of yourself, other people, and God.

Genres: Self Help

224 pages, Hardcover

Published October 5, 2021

Reviews

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stilte: The Dutch Art of Quietude is a small but mighty book. This 6” x 6” (approx.) hardcover book holds a treasure of guidance in focusing on silence and inviting peace, calmness, and serenity into life.

Our days are often filled with noise, multi-tasking, rush…rush…rush… But Stilte, or silence, helps rid us of commotion and anxiety that comes with busyness. Silence is powerful. It brings calm, just as taking a deep breath composes us or counting to ten keeps us from making hasty decisions.

The Scripture verse, Psalm 46:10, has always spoken to me. “Be still, and know that I am God.” Stilte brings this verse, amid others, close to mind. In stillness, quiet, and meditation we draw nearer to God.

This is a lovely book to soften the busyness and volume of our minds, heart, and soul. It is pretty, purposeful, and belongs on my keeper shelf.

Dɪsᴄʟᴏsᴜʀᴇ: I ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʀʏ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ. Mʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ᴡᴀs ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴғʟᴜᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ.

#Stilte

[Gloria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had envisioned a book more along the lines of the Danish lifestyle called hygge, but this is the Dutch version of monastic living, but with modern inclusions. It has a strong Christian theme running throughout even though many of the topics included are more likely or just as likely to be found in a self-help corner.

This is a small book with big ideas that are expressed in 3-page summaries. Whole books have been written about many of these ideas, i.e., fasting, meditation, boundary setting, multitasking, minimalism, prayer, walking, and more. These mini summaries are not especially helpful if you are already familiar with these concepts. Instead though it can serve as a spiritual reminder to take care of yourself in whatever way works for you.

So think of it perhaps as a bit of a nudge to do what you already know you should/could be doing.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know there are commands in Scripture to be still or silent, a vital part of spiritual growth and transformation. I have learned from van der Vegt that being still or silent does not necessarily mean the kind of inaction we usually think of as meditation. The idea she presents in this book is more a way of life, encountering quietude and discovering life to the full. She draws from the instruction of St. Benedict.

Silence is not an end in itself but is part of the journey within to the heart and an encounter with God. Van der Vegt realizes this is an ongoing struggle. She provides helps to discover the value of silence and practical keys to pursue it.

Some of her keys were expected, like getting rid of multitasking (pay full attention to the moment God has given you), breathing exercises, and free write journaling. Others were surprising, such the role of children (like monastery bells calling your attention), paying attention to your body and eating in silence.

This is a book for people who want to explore silence as the avenue to a deeper relationship with God but have become frustrated with the usual meditation techniques. Many of van der Vegt's suggestions include action like walking or baking bread. You'll come to realize that quietude can coincide with activity. While that is good news to busy people, you'll also be encouraged to find your identity in who you are, not what you do, and to evaluate your activities.

I highly recommend this book. It is a very good source for pursuing quietude in a variety of ways as a means to a deeper relationship with God, from praying to going on a retreat to helping others. There are forty suggestions so this book is a good resource for Lenten reading. I highly recommend it to any reader on a spiritual journey.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[eb · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, this was not marketed or presented as Christian religious writing, but it is. It quotes the Bible, references Jesus, and asks readers to invite God into their hearts. This is NOT a text like Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced Living, or others like it, that look at Scandinavian cultural values and suggest ways to integrate them into your busy capitalist American life. This is lay-religious writing packages as the former, and it's misleading and annoying.

[Monica H (TeaandBooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is your life hectic? Do you long to slow down and be still? Some days we just have too much noise and anxiety in this day and age. Instead of focusing on all the hard things, get a copy of Stilte: The Dutch Art of Quietude by Marjam Van Der Vegt and learn to slow down.

Stilte is a little book measuring 6.25 inches square with a Delft-looking cover. Even though it is small, this book has a lot of great information and encouragement in it for living life that is both slower and more focused on the world that God made around us. The book is divided in to four parts: Silence as a Basis, Silence in Motion, Silence by Concentration and Contemplation, and Silence through a change of Scenery.Within these four sections there are forty "keys" to practice to learn to better be still and to grow as a person and as a Christian. Each key has an explanation for what it is and what to do to better learn the key. Some of them have some great practical exercises to help you learn and grow--such as breathing exercises and an exercise where you "talk" to your body about how it feels and how you are treating it.

I read Stilte through in one sitting for the purpose of this review. I look forward to going back and going through the book slowly, doing several of the activities and learning to be quiet the Dutch way. I do see that this book is written more from a European mindset and there are some references to monasteries, which I don't think many of us know much about as much in the United States. However, I found all of that quite interesting. There is a lot to think about throughout this small book. As a side note, my husband and his family are all Dutch, so I found this all quite interesting from a cultural point of view too. I would recommend Stilte to anyone who wants to learn, grow and slow down more.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.

[Em · Rating 1 out of 5]

Based on the back cover, design, table of contents, and placement in the “personal growth” section of the bookstore, I was not expecting an overtly religious book. This book proselytizes and evangelizes in heavy-handed ways. It was not the cultural explainer I was hoping for, but was on a “believe in Jesus to save your soul” bent all the way through.

[Chelsy Foulk]

That wasn’t what I thought it was going to be

[Alya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has been mistitled. The book is more about appreciating the art of solitude and stillness (or quietness) from a Christian perspective. I bought the book in the hope of learning more about the art of solitude and stillness from a Dutch perspective. Hopefully, they will change the title in the future.

Besides the title, the book was a nice short read.

[Michelle Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the different ways of silence and how a lot of these things line up with what I've learned about and practiced in various church classes and services.

[Bo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would have more accurately been titled Stilte: The CHRISTIAN Dutch Art of Quietude. Not that I have anything against a purely Christian viewpoint. But there is much in the world that is relevant to Quietude that doesn't require a direct quote from King James. Put it up front in the title. I would have moved on to something a little more diverse.

[G D · Rating 1 out of 5]

First time reading a book by a Dutch author, I was expecting a comprehensive explanation on Quietude. The book is completely different from what was expected at all.

In short, its just a variety of suggestions in the form of "keys" that is recommended to readers. Sure that sounds fine at first but the presentation was confusing.

There was a ton of references to religion back and forth to where I was getting confused on what I was reading. I don't have an issue with integrating religion into books, but this book kept on quoting phrases and exerpts without properly defining why it matters.

At one point, it began to feel like the book was forcibly imposing its concepts on me to where it was feeling unpleasant per each passing chapter. On top of that, a big chunk of the book kept on talking about what "shows, books, and things" the author has read in a ranting like manner, which was absolutely not needed. The author must of forgotten this book is meant to explain what is Quietude to various people around the world, not....rant about personal experienes that are not related at all.

I cannot recommend anyone who is casual to religion to read this book either. Some ideas were good, but I cannot stand a book that forces religion on you without any context

[Lance Lumley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't what I expected, having recently been diving into personal growth books where the topics are based on escaping the stress and learning who you are and ignoring other's views.
The book was originally in Dutch, and gives "keys" to how to study being quiet from tips used in monasteries. The order of the book gets off, with one of the keys linking to a chapter way deeper in the book, so the reader has to either skip around the book, or wait until they reach the part a while later(which loses the focus if the person is reading 1 chapter a day).
The book is in 4 sections and the one is pretty much not needed with instructions on how to build a meditation work bench to lighting candles to building stones, which may come off a little New Age like then from a Christian publisher.
For an in depth review, visit my blog at : https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/202...

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Stilte" by Miryam Van Der Vegt teaches how to invoke quietude (stilte) into your life and encounter peace in our lives. Among other things, Van Der Vegt recommends building a meditation bench and creating a sanctuary room in your home. She also recommends various other ways to experience stillness that involve self-discipline and sacrifice. While there are many reasons to seek quiet and stillness, the main thing we should be focusing on during these times is God.

The 6 x 6 size of the book makes it harder to read, but the cover, in its simplicity, is beautiful and ties into the book's them of quiet and stillness.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Hatchette Book Group, as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

[Daphne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rest is not something that we consider. Everything is pushed to be faster, bigger, better. In Stilte, van der Vegt offers dozens of tips for people who want to practice stillness and quietness. The book could be read cover to cover or by implementing one of the suggestions. Whether you use any of these, being able to rest and experience quietness might have its benefits. Many of the recommendations are adapted from Christian religious traditions of reflection, so if that's not your interest, this book may not be for you.

[Bridgitte Rodguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the concept and the message behind this book. The idea of slowing down and purposefully experiencing moments of quiet, solitude and contemplation are necessary and important. Especially in our information overloaded world. However, I would have liked it better with less of a focus on God. It wasn’t necessarily a turn off, but it’s not a lens through which I interpret or experience the world.

[Deryk Rumbold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-contexualized version of Benedict's Rule for the modern age. While its sources run deeper this is organized in a very handy checklist manner of practical things to do to organize your life in a way to listen to God through the silence. Very easy recommendation for those that feel fed up with the noise of the world.

[Jamie Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this as a devotional. Insightful and meditative. I gained a lot from reading it.

[Kristen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wasn't able to finish this. Wanted it to be about quiet but was more about Christianity.

[Bonnie Westmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Benedictine oblate, this was an unexpected surprise to find many Benedictine prayer practices referenced. It was a lovely book, a silent retreat within. I found many helpful suggestions to practice in my quest to find peace and silence.