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Stillness Is the Key

Written by: Ryan Holiday
Narrated by: Ryan Holiday
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About this listen

Instant number one New York Times best seller and Wall Street Journal best seller

In The Obstacle Is the Way and Ego Is the Enemy, best-selling author Ryan Holiday made ancient wisdom wildly popular with a new generation of leaders in sports, politics, and technology. In his new book, Stillness Is the Key, Holiday draws on timeless Stoic and Buddhist philosophy to show why slowing down is the secret weapon for those charging ahead.

All great leaders, thinkers, artists, athletes, and visionaries share one indelible quality. It enables them to conquer their tempers. To avoid distraction and discover great insights. To achieve happiness and do the right thing. Ryan Holiday calls it stillness - to be steady while the world spins around you. In this audiobook, he outlines a path for achieving this ancient, but urgently necessary way of living. Drawing on a wide range of history's greatest thinkers, from Confucius to Seneca, Marcus Aurelius to Thich Nhat Hanh, John Stuart Mill to Nietzsche, he argues that stillness is not mere inactivity, but the doorway to self-mastery, discipline, and focus.

Holiday also examines figures who exemplified the power of stillness: baseball player Sadaharu Oh, whose study of Zen made him the greatest home run hitter of all time; Winston Churchill, who in balancing his busy public life with time spent laying bricks and painting at his Chartwell estate managed to save the world from annihilation in the process; Fred Rogers, who taught generations of children to see what was invisible to the eye; Anne Frank, whose journaling and love of nature guided her through unimaginable adversity. More than ever, people are overwhelmed. They face obstacles and egos and competition. Stillness Is the Key offers a simple but inspiring antidote to the stress of 24/7 news and social media. The stillness that we all seek is the path to meaning, contentment, and excellence in a world that needs more of it than ever.

©2019 Ryan Holiday (P)2019 Penguin Audio
Personal Development Personal Success Stress Management Stoicism Inspiring Sports Meditation

What the critics say

"In this age of manufactured outrage and constant distraction, the ability to choose a focused inner stillness is arguably more important than ever before. Ryan Holiday’s book revives ancient wisdom that calls for a quiet life in a noisy and restless world." (Mark Manson, number one best-selling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck)

"The next Malcolm Gladwell. Ryan Holiday's just brilliant." (Lance Armstrong)

"Whether you are an athlete, an investor, a writer or an entrepreneur, this little but wise and soulful book will open the door to a healthier, less anxious and more productive life and career." (Arianna Huffington)

All stars
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I like how Ryan writes, it's easy to get through! When I hit the last chapter I was honestly sad it was over. Some great lessons within. Disciplined in your discipline, moderate in your moderation. Love it!

Really enjoyed this book

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I love how Ryan connects his message to stories of real people in history. Allows improved memory of the concepts. Great listen. Couldn’t wait to get in my car and go!

Simple messages but so important to hear

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Ryan Holiday,

Thank you for providing a powerful series of life lessons without the use of unnecessary jargon. I will take these ideas to heart and enact them accordingly: in stillness.

A profound transcription of stoic ideas mixed with new, creative thought

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This is my first introduction to stoicism and it's got me hooked. The philosophy speaks to me. I'm really excited to learn and grow with this philosophy. Already bought the daily stoic and subscribe to the authors podcasts. Great content!

Speaks to me

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Excellent book. Thoroughly enjoyed both 'Stillness is the Key', as well as 'The Obstacle Is The Way' from Ryan Holiday.

Great book, important message - highly recommend

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Excellent book to read or listen to. I’ve enjoyed all Ryan Holiday books in this series.

Another great book in the series!

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The narrator (author) is great in his delivery. the book is full of insights and easy to listen to. I fully recommend.

one of the best book ive listened to

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So many nuggets, so much value. This should be considered essential reading. Perfect for anyone wanting clarity.

Exceptional. Read this once a year.

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Great examples from history. Good nuggets to ponder. If you like his books this should be right up the same alley.

You know what you’re getting

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Ryan is a great example of constant learning and personal improvement. i wish i was more like him when i was young. I'm certainly going to encourage my kids to read less fiction.

Ryan is a great example

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