Stillness Is the Key is a book written by Ryan Holiday and published in 2019. It is a journey through philosophy, literature, and personal experience that ultimately leads to one basic conclusion: stillness is the key discipline and the source of ultimate wisdom. Holiday believes that we need to understand stillness and its importance in order to find the inner calm and peace of mind we need to successfully navigate life’s challenges.
The book begins by outlining some of humanity’s greatest accomplishments, like the invention of the printing press, space exploration, and the discovery of the DNA molecule. Holiday argues that these feats were only made possible by the inventors and innovators’ ability to find stillness within themselves. He believes that our passion and drive must be balanced by stillness in order to ensure we don’t get carried away in the chaos of life.
The book then goes on to explain the power of stillness. Holiday believes that stillness gives us the mental clarity, focus, and resilience we need to solve problems and make progress. He also addresses the concept of delayed gratification and how stillness can help us prioritize long-term goals over immediate gratification. Holiday argues that without stillness, we’re more likely to succumb to temptations that could derail our best-laid plans.
Next, Holiday examines the power of meditation – a crucial tool for stillness. He explains the history of meditation, its purpose, and how it can help us find mental stillness. He examines the many benefits of meditation, such as increased physical and mental health, as well as increased creativity. As an example of how meditation can aid us, Holiday gives the example of computer programmers who use meditation to help them focus and think more clearly.
The book then discusses how stillness can be applied more broadly. Holiday writes about how it can influence our behavior and lead us to more ethical and virtuous decisions. He argues that stillness is the foundation for sound decision making, because the more still we are in our minds, the more likely we are to ask better questions and weigh potential outcomes more carefully. Holidays also speaks to how stillness can help us face life's greatest challenges, such as death and suffering, with grace and gratitude.
The book ends with an overview of the Stoic philosophy, a belief system based on stillness and inner tranquility. Holiday explains that Stoicism is a way of living with greater meaning and purpose. He also explains that it’s a way of living that focuses on self-control, resilience, and the acceptance of life’s inevitable pain and discomfort.
Overall, Stillness Is the Key is an engaging and thought-provoking look at the importance of stillness and how it can help us in life. Holiday artfully blends philosophy, literature, and personal experience to make a compelling case for the power of stillness. For anyone looking to find more peace and balance in life, this book is a must-read.
