In today’s busy world, I turn to nature and solitude for grounding. These three quick reads about life, nature and stillness help me stay relaxed and productive.
The Art of Stillness
Stillness holds power, whether it’s calm water or quiet leaves. In The Art of Stillness, Pico Iyer explores how our constant connectedness makes us crave peace, drawing on the lives of people like Matthieu Ricard and Leonard Cohen to show how slowing down and unplugging can help us find clarity in our hectic world.
Walden
Although written in the 1850s, Walden offers timeless lessons on simplicity and self-reliance, critiquing the materialism that still plagues society today. Thoreau reflects on his two years living in a cabin by Walden Pond, exploring the balance between society’s pressures and the peace found in a simpler, more intentional life, though its deep metaphors can make it a challenging read.
The River Why
The reader may pick up The River Why because they are into fishing, but they quickly discover it is about the character’s struggle in the modern world. The protagonist, Gus Orviston, heads to a cabin to escape family conflict. He soon discovers through fishing and new relationships that true growth and healing comes from human connection and letting go of rigid ideals. He chooses to forgive and reconciles with his parents.
These three books offer valuable insights on how to find peace and clarity in a chaotic world, whether through stillness, simplicity, or connection. Each one provides a unique perspective on slowing down and embracing a more intentional, meaningful life.
