Turning Down the Noise: The Quiet Power of Silence in a Busy World

Jackman (Inside Kevin 07), a self-described cynical journalist and disenchanted Catholic, delivers an insightful exploration of the potential of contemplative practices. Citing contemporary neurological research and her own experiences, Jackman argues that Buddhist monastic traditions and contemplative prayers can improve mental health and lessen anxiety. Worn down by constant busyness, Jackman looked into meditation as a restorative measure: “I simply wanted to know what this thing was, this calm awareness that was flitting across my consciousness like a bird of rare and beautiful strangeness, one that takes flight whenever you turn to look at it directly.” After a silent retreat, a stay at a Trappist abbey, and a Vipassana meditation course, she concluded that silence helped her mental well-being and “provided a gateway back to clarity and awareness.” In the book’s second half, Jackman surveys sources of literal and figurative noise, among them digital distraction, distance from nature, and overwork, and recommends finding “practices that can be integrated into our daily routines without becoming an extra chore.” Jackman can turn a nice phrase, and her down-to-earth tone will endear her to readers: “Silence doesn’t have to mean passivity. Silence can be fierce. Focused. Courageous, ingenious, even revolutionary.” The combination of curiosity and analysis makes a persuasive case for searching out quiet. (May)