Description

National Bestseller

“Reading *Aflame* may help many to lead lives of greater compassion and deeper peace of mind.” —His Holiness the Dalai Lama

From the bestselling author of *The Art of Stillness* comes a profound exploration of the clarity and calm that can be discovered through quiet retreat.

Over the past thirty years, Pico Iyer has spent time at a small Benedictine hermitage in Big Sur, California, retreating into silence more than a hundred times. Though he does not belong to any religious tradition, these solitary stays have deeply shaped his life, helping him reconnect with what is essential and uncovering a joy that remains unshaken. For Iyer, silence is not just an escape from noise and distraction—it is a return to fundamental truths that had been forgotten.

In *Aflame*, Iyer reflects on the inner peace and resilience he discovers during his visits to the monastery, even as his personal life is marked by upheaval—a house fire, the loss of a parent, his daughter’s cancer diagnosis. He draws wisdom from his experiences and from others who have found strength through solitude and hardship. Most significantly, he reveals how time spent alone can deepen our sense of connection with others. Through his perspective as an outsider, he offers unique insight into monastic life and the remarkable individuals who devote themselves to creating spaces of quiet reflection for all who seek them.

Deeply personal and illuminating, *Aflame* is a meditation on the power of silence, offering timeless lessons on how to live, how to love, and ultimately, how to face life’s final transition.