Golden

The Power of Silence in a World of Noise

By: Justin Zorn, Leigh Marz

Narrated by: Prentice Onayemi

Silence isn’t just the absence of noise. It’s a presence that brings us energy, clarity, and deeper connection.

Justin Zorn and Leigh Marz take us on an unlikely journey—from the West Wing of the White House to San Quentin’s death row; from Ivy League brain research laboratories to underground psychedelic circles; from the temperate rainforests of Olympic National Park to the main stage at a heavy metal festival—to explore the meaning of silence and the art of finding it in any situation.

Golden reveals how to go beyond the ordinary rules and tools of mindfulness. It’s a field guide for navigating the noise of the modern world—not just the noise in our ears but also on our screens and in our heads. Drawing on lessons from neuroscience, business, spirituality, politics, and the arts, Marz and Zorn explore why auditory, informational, and internal silence is essential for physical health, mental clarity, ecological sustainability, and vibrant community.

With vital lessons for individuals, families, workplaces, and whole societies, Golden is an engaging and unexpected rethinking of the meaning of quiet. Marz and Zorn make the bold and convincing argument that we can repair our world by reclaiming the presence of silence in our lives.

©2022 Justin Zorn and Leigh Marz (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Needed Future Survival Tool

This book might be required reading for all above age 16! For the overall survival of our planet and it’s species including us!
All book clubs take note as well. It is truly all encompassing mind body spirit life!

best book money I've spent

it's a book I'll listen to again every year or two, excellent analysis of the need for quiet and silence, inside and out. excellent suggestions on how to improve quality of culture and society and individual life

Great theme, ruined by political slant

The book works on a great opportunity to improve your life through incorporating more periods of silent reflection. Unfortunately the book also doubles as a political soapbox. If your politics are far left, you'll enjoy this book a lot more than I did.

Listen to this to find more quiet

In this book, readers/listeners are gently guided by the authors on a wide ranging journey to better understand what quiet is, why we need more if it, and what we can do to have more of it. “Golden” accomplishes a feat of modern nonfiction publishing: a highly intellectual, deeply researched, philosophical, aspirational concept book that manages to stay accessible, lean, fairly unpretentious, and above all, refreshing and useful. It’s not a self help book, but it contains many intriguing, very carefully chosen, and realistic suggestions. I will talk about them with people and I will try some. While I wish the text dove deeper into the challenges around informational, auditory and internal “noise” for families, child development and education, the content is relevant to so many life contexts, I think anyone can find relevance for themselves, their work, and their communities here.

Thought provoking subject

The world is very loud and the idea that the noise is our heads is even louder is on point. The idea of making time for silence and to do nothing is so appealing and I do think it could relieve stress and help solve at least some problems. I going to try to work in at least small pockets of silence into my schedule and maybe even implement a weekly day of no electronics and tv that I have been thinking about doing. Right now I’m going to turn off my Facebook notifications…I mean, does anyone really need to know every second when they get a FB post.😂

This book is one I will need to revisit; relistening to the last chapter could be a good reminder of how important silence is.

The narration was absolutely perfect.

The Power and Importance of Silence

The exceptionally good narration and the first person stories told by people from all walks of life of how life events led them to experiencing silence in a profound "spiritual" way. A good book about something critical in today's loud and nose to grind stone society expectations. We have way too many "devices", entertainment, and life responsibilities that distract us from taking a moment to sit still with ourselves. Will listen to this again and again. ;)

Timely inspiration

In the last couple of years I found myself telling those closest to me that I need something to be different. I told them I think, perhaps, it's more quiet and less stimulation. I wanted a dampening of the frenzy within and without. I hesitantly admitted that I am a big fan of daydreaming. I wasn't sure if I was driving my life anymore.

The stories and information in this beautifully written and well-researched book have given me a permission that I didn't know I needed. The book's message landed deep and I find myself making time for silence. That silence isn't always quiet!

I offer deep thanks to the authors. What a gift!

soft whispering narrator

I could only make it through a quarter of the book. I increased the volume and speed, only to give up. while the information is interesting it's not valuable enough to suffer through this narrator.

I need more Silence!

This book was a delight to listen to, as I get older I notice how much noice of all kinds bother me.
I will put some of the suggestions to practice and definitely try to incorporate wordless Wednesday in my life even if it’s for a few hours only(to start).
I truly recommend this book, it will be one I listen to again!
BTW; the narrator was superb!

Silence

I enjoyed the affirming aspects of silence as I practice it in my daily life. New ideas were proffered that I will contemplate.