The Eloquence of Silence: Surprising Wisdom in Tales of Emptiness

Thomas Moore's new book, The Eloquence of Silence, combines excerpts from diverse traditions and voices: philosophers, seekers, spiritual teachers, and storytellers, with his concise and wise commentaries. The book's theme is emptiness, in the sense of remaining open to the mystery of life, leaving space for life to reveal itself. Emptiness is an expression I have contemplated for years as taught in the Buddhist tradition. Everything depends on everything else; nothing exists on its own side, and there is a difference between how things appear to be and how they are. Moore's reflections shed a light that is not attached to any one tradition. But he also invites us to be ready to receive the wisdom which can arise when we loosen our hold on preconceptions. As always, Moore's writing is clear, concise, and lucid, inviting the reader to slow down and reflect. I loved his choice of selections, and his penetrating insight gently guides us to discover our own understanding. The Eloquence of Silence is a beautiful book I'll want to return to repeatedly as a source of contemplation and inspiration.

I recall listening to Thomas Moore talk on emptiness at a retreat center in Austin, Texas, back in 2006. His words forever lodged into my mind and imagination when he said, “If you fill up your life, nothing unexpected can happen. You can’t make fresh discoveries, and you will have few surprises and revelations.” (From Chapter “Doors and Windows”) At the time, I felt stuck in my life and I was searching and seeking a new idea or fresh perspective that might help dislodge me from the cycle of repetition. I had been busily adding new activities to my life, looking for more of something I was not able to define. Thinking long and hard about Moore’s comments, I began emptying out areas of my life to make some room for what might be hovering in the wings that might be trying to happen if I could only get out of my own way. As I created more space, some new, unanticipated opportunities slowly emerged from nowhere. The Eloquence of Silence offers a unique perspective and shows us how honoring silence and emptiness is a practice. If you want to open up your life, Moore can show you a gentle way to do so. In a world where everybody seems to be screaming their opinions, blasting the internet with podcasts, and tweeting what they think, Moore reminds us of another way of being. In his chapter “No Speaking”, he tells the story of a speaker who does not speak and the teacher who did not teach, reminding us “For every word about things that matter, we need hours of contemplation and reflection.” Ponder on that! If you are a wisdom seeker, this book is for you. And it would also make a wonderful gift for a thoughtful, soulful friend. I treasure Thomas Moore and his wisdom and unique perspective.

I always struggled to really appreciate, understand, and dance with the notion of emptiness. It always seemed esoteric enough to remain fuzzy---and that fuzziness kept me from engaging with the beauty of emptiness. Somehow Thomas Moore brings clarity, humor, and pragmatic beauty to the topic without allowing it to lose any of its mystery. The book is a combination of stories on emptiness from various traditions from Nasrudin to the Tao te Ching to Alan Watts---followed by Thomas's way of dancing with the tale to highlight how emptiness can improve our lives. I found reading the book both hopeful, funny, and joyous, a way of lessening the serious heaviness of life---and even so, I continue to grapple with the rich ideas in Moore's commentary. I know now this small book is one I will return to again and again, and gift to others often, because every person who reads it will have their own adventure and meaning as they engage with the text. Be empty, but don't let your shopping cart be---add this book now! ---Aaron Burcham

I love this book and strongly recommend it. As I am getting older, I find myself craving quiet, empty silence and this book felt affirming of that desire. That said, I can see the value in this book for people of all ages and at all different places in their lives. The book is a wonderful paradox –empty yet full of wisdom. It is light, yet full of possibilities for reflection. The stories and Moore’s words are simple but also as complex as the reader wants to go -with the possibility of a deeply meaningful reading experience or "just for fun." I enjoy the way the stories bring out the author’s personal experiences with humility, honesty, and charm. The noticeable space that is present in every short chapter invites the reader to find their own meaning or lack of meaning. I definitely have my favorite chapters and I have bookmarked stories that I have already revisited and will again. I don’t know if it was deliberate on Moore’s part or simply my experience, but it felt like the early stories were teaching me how to take in the later ones. This is the kind of book that can be picked up multiple times -- creating different experiences with each read.

I savoured this book. The chapters are concise and the stories stayed with me, inviting reflection. I read this book each morning, just a few chapters a day so I could savour the intensity of the stories as allegory, and take them into my day. A real treasure of a book to reread and be guided by.

This book is a rare treasure, brimming with wisdom on every page. Thomas Moore offers simple wisdom stories from many spiritual traditions and from his own life, illuminating them with his deep insights and warmly caring spirit. "The Eloquence of Silence" has a healing quality that is so needed in our noisy and jangled world today. It's truly a gift to be savoured from beginning to end...and then to keep handy to read again.

As befits a book about emptiness, The Eloquence of Silence is Thomas Moore’s unique, supportive writing voice at its most spartan – and, paradoxically, it is this very lean, direct approach that points the way to a banquet of reflective nourishment. As one reads, one can almost hear him speaking these essential words. Moore draws upon the legends and koans of many traditions as a means of offering meditative insights gathered from his own rich inner and outer life. Everyone should clap (with one hand, of course) for this inspiring, shimmering book. If everyone read a chapter a day, the world could really change for the better.