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Stillness: Biodynamic Cranial Practice and the Evolution of Consciousness Paperback – December 4, 2006

by Charles Ridley (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 57 ratings
See all formats and editions
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Charles Ridley is known for having refined a version of biodynamic craniosacral work that is nonmedical and nonmechanical. In Stillness, he clarifies the three fundamental types of cranial work - biomechanical, functional, and biodynamic - as defined by cranial osteopathy. He explains the requirements and pitfalls of each model, and how to discern the differences and similarities between them. He guides the practitioner experientially to explore what he is describing and offers exercises drawn from his own practice to help therapists access directly the whole felt-body sense that connects each individual with the Breath of Life.
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  1. Print length
    265 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    North Atlantic Books
  4. Publication date
    December 4, 2006
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.77 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1556435924
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1556435928
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Charles Ridley is one of the most authentic practitioners I have ever met. His career has seen successive waves of profound inspiration and practice, the fruits of which are lucidly laid out in Stillness. It encompasses Western and Eastern thought - a book about consciousness from beginning to end. The clarity with which the connection between tides and consciousness is made, coupled with his vivid anecdotes and practical practitioner exercises, makes this an inspiring book for beginner and advanced practitioner alike." Hugh Milne, author of Heart of Listening.

"It is a rare thing to find an instructor who both embodies the essence of his teaching and is able to convey its finest complexities with clarity and precision. Blending didactic instruction with experiential practice and group processing, Charles creates an environment conducive to learning at the deepest levels of comprehension. After 20 years of formal instruction, I find Charles' classes to be a welcome oasis where, each time, my understanding of cranial work grows exponentially. Thank you, Charles, for bringing this work to light with such brilliance!"
Elizabeth Pimentel, ND Dean of the School of Naturopathic Medicine at the Maryland Unversity of Integrative Health

From the Author

In Stillness, I characterize the felt-sense inside a practitioner while practicing one of the three types of cranial work.  My emphasis on a biodynamic cranial practice for the evolution of consciousness is because there is so much confusion about biodynamics than there is with functional or biomechanical cranial work. The confusion is perpetrated by the craniosacral biodynamics institutions that mix the types of cranial work and call it craniosacral biodynamics. 

In hindsight, I realize that in Stillness I did not go far enough because the confusion has grown cancer-like in the biodynamic cranial field. I am writing a sequel, Beyond Stillness: Union of Body and Love that continues where Stillness left off. I hope to publish it on Amazon in early 2018.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ North Atlantic Books (December 4, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 265 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1556435924
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1556435928
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.77 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 57 ratings

About the author

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Charles Ridley

Charles Ridley

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Stillness Touch Union of Body and Love by Charles Ridley

Celebrating 50 years of Cranial Study

1973 - 2023

A sequel to my first book, STILLNESS: Biodynamic Cranial Practice and the Evolution of Consciousness, STILLNESS TOUCH Union of Body and Love is published by Dynamic Stillness Press. It's available in German, and in 2023, French, Czech, and Spanish.

STILLNESS has expanded editions in French, Italian, Czech (TICHO A KLID), Spanish (QUIETUD) and German (Präsent in der Stille ). Available on Amazon

Brief biography of 'STILLNESS' author Charles Ridley, founder of international school https://www.DynamicStillness.com

Charles' Dynamic Stillness School offers trainings worldwide in Stillness Touch for the evolution of consciousness. Stillness Touch is a non-medical approach based on Dr. Sutherland's impulse of a non-doing cranial guided by the Breath of Life. Charles offers Private Intensives to support personal development and Master Classes in Europe, Mexico, and the USA.

Charles's first Post Graduate Class was in 2007 by invitation from Biodynamic Osteopath Olivier Fourteau in France; and in the following years Charles was invited by the Czech craniosacral association, as well as by schools in Switzerland, Italy, and Denmark. All these cranial schools were interested in the embodiment of Pure Breath of Love that is realized beyond Dynamic Stillness (see Chapters 8 & 9 in STILLNESS TOUCH and Chapter 9 in STILLNESS).

Meanwhile, in 2013 Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health asked Charles to be a regular Presenter of "Stillness Touch: The Art of Transmitting Love" which he repeated yearly. He also trained Kripalu's entire Health Services staff in "Stillness Touch" in 2016, and 2017.

A brief biography in Charles' words:

"A single cranial session in 1973 expanded my consciousness for 30 days, and it forever altered my view of the power of touch as a path for the evolution of consciousness.

My heart is still on fire with enthusiasm because Stillness Touch IS for the evolution of consciousness and health is a side effect!

Here it is, some 50 years after that first session, and I feel an even stronger impulse to share how to touch so that it becomes an evolutionary journey for embodying Love.

For twenty years, I studied with osteopath Dr. DeJarnette who was a student of Dr. William Garner Sutherland the founder of all three types of cranial work. When Dr. DeJarnette talked about Dr. Sutherland he transmitted his essence to us. I also studied with Dr. Marc Pick, author of Cranial Sutures.

From 1981 to 1989 my cranial practice, and the organ work I developed with oils flourished in Manhattan.

By great good fortune, I met Robert Johnson, the Jungian author of "HE," "SHE," "WE," "INNER WORK," and 9 other books, and it was love at first sight.

My teaching and lifestyle were influenced by Robert, who modeled by walking his talk, which he writes so beautifully in his memoirs "Balancing Heaven and Earth."

In 1991, after ten years of cranial practice, I enrolled in a series of cranial courses at Palmer College West that combined Dr. Viola Frymann's cranial osteopathy with Dr. John Upledger's four courses.

Then, in 1998, Hugh Milne invited me to teach his version of cranial osteopathy, which lasted until my own Dynamic Stillness school required my full attention.

In my early years, in the late 70's in college, I worked closely with the founder of holistic dentistry, Dr. Alerod Fonder, author of "The Dental Physician."

And in Manhattan in the 80's, I collaborated with the famed voice specialist Wilbur Gould, MD. Astonishingly, Dr. Gould gave me free and full access to his Vocal Dynamics Laboratory at Lennox Hill Hospital so I could conduct successful research on the positive effects of cranial work on 20 professional singer's voices.

From 1985 to 1988, I wrote "Self-Care Corner" a regular column for the national publication Whole Life Times and I lectured at all the Whole Life Expo's nation-wide, and taught numerous public classes on self-care.

Meanwhile, I co-founded Whole Life Medical Center with Ronald Hoffman, MD in Manhattan, which was one of the first integrative holistic medical centers in the USA.

I have seven books to support both professional and personal development:

I wrote 4 books support professional health practitioners:

"STILLNESS"

"STILLNESS TOUCH Union of Body and Love"

e-Book "BEYOND STILLNESS: Practices for Practitioners"

e-Book "The Missing Glossary"

Many of these books are available in other languages, check my sites' multi language pages: https://www.dynamicstillness.com

I have two Lay e-Books for personal development for the general public "Stillness Touch: The Art of Transmitting Love" and "Stillness Practices for Non-Practitioners."

I moved to Mexico in 2014 where I am semi-retired.

All my e-Books and Mp3 Audio Meditations are available from the site store https://www.DynamicStillness.com

Here is a Youtube link to an excellent interview in Prague on what I write about and teach:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf4uOB8V6dWNqj_Hu_hrXvgvVckvU0nYy

And here is a Craniosacralpodcast interview: https://www.craniosacralpodcast.com/episode-68/#more-1208

Dynamic Stillness School Site: https://www.dynamicstillness.com

Dynamic Stillness School Email: Charles@DynamicStillness.com

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
57 global ratings
Inadequate documentation...
4 Stars
Inadequate documentation...
I have only read about 1/2 page of this book. I am giving it 4 stars so as not to affect the rating adversely, but wanted to point out that the author quotes "Meditations on the Tarot" on page 115 rather extensively without offering (to my mind) sufficient documentation. Footnote 112 does refer the reader to the title and publisher, but whole phrases and sentences are used without quotation marks (at least in the Google Books version which came up when I searched for the phrase “silence is the sign of real contact with the spiritual world” (in quotes).Here is the quote as it appears in context in MOTT:"To begin with there are moments, subsequently minutes, then "quarters of an hour" for which complete silence or "concentration without effort" lasts. With time, the silence or concentration without effort becomes a fundamental element always present in the life of the soul. It is like the perpetual service at the church of Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre which takes place, whilst in Paris one works, one trades, one amuses oneself, one sleeps, one dies . . . It is in like manner that a "perpetual service" of silence is established in the soul, which continues all the same when one is active, when one works, or when one converses. This "zone of silence" being once established, you can draw from it both for rest and for work. Then you will have not only concentration without effort, but also activity without effort. It is precisely this that comes to expression in the second part of our formula:<<< transform work into play >>>The changing of work, which is duty, into play, is effected as a consequence of the presence of the "zone of perpetual silence", where one draws from a sort of secret and intimate respiration, whose sweetness and freshness accomplishes the anointing of work and transforms it into play. For the "zone of silence" does not only signify that the soul is, fundamentally, at rest, but also, and rather, that there is contact with the heavenly or spiritual world, which works together with the soul. He who finds silence in the solitude of concentration without effort, is never alone. He never bears alone the weights that he has to carry; the forces of heaven, the forces from on high, are there taking part from now on. In this way the truth stated by the third part of the formula:<<< make every yoke that you have accepted easy and every burden that you carry light, >>>itself becomes experience. For silence is the sign of real contact with the spiritual world and this contact, in turn, always engenders the influx of forces. This is the foundation of all mysticism, all gnosis, all magic and all practical esotericism in general." ~ "Mediations on the Tarot: A Journey into Christian Hermeticism", Letter I, "The Magician" (page 11)Compare that to the screenshot from page 115 of Charles Ridley's book (as it appears in the Google Book search results).
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Top reviews from the United States

Code Pink
5.0 out of 5 stars Original thought on Biodynamic Cranial Sacral and the idea of healing
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2014
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This book revolutionized my practice. For the first time I was no longer concerning myself with responding to a clients symptoms with protocols. This new world of simply meeting the client on that raw edge of being, where I am neither following or leading the cranial flow, has brought incredible meaning to the word sacred for me. I have studied with many amazing teachers but Charles Ridley has presented a work that challenges me to stay present not just with my client, but with myself, in a way that leaves me excited about my works potential for supporting my clients in a way that does not have them chasing after pains and stiffness. Now my clients come to me to meet the boundaries of their self experience.
7 people found this helpful
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D. Lenort
5.0 out of 5 stars Well described
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2007
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Charles was able to describe the states one experiences with Biodynamic CranioSacral Therapy better than anyone else I have read so far. Anyone who has practiced "regular" CranioSacral therapy for awhile will be able to relate to his descriptions and I believe understand the basis of Biodynamic CranioSacral work, even before they take their first course. This is a must for those who practice both CranioSacral therapy and meditation, as they will understand the connection between both. I would highly recommend also getting the book Cranio Sacral SELF Waves by Olaf Korpiun to go along with this one. Well written from a philosophical/scientific approach combined with practical treatment techniques that will take your CranioSacral practice to new depths.
22 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Osteopathy
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2015
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As an osteopath, there are various principles that I follow when I evaluate a patient. This book was very helpful in opening my mind to going beyond the principles I learned to directly experiencing the intelligence of the patient's body.
One person found this helpful
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Khoi Nguyen
5.0 out of 5 stars Advanced level book for osteopathy
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2013
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I'm an osteopath then I can not rate it differently :) Thank you so much

NB: those who expects schemas or diagram will be deceived - this is a book which supposed you have already knowledge and practice. It gives only answer for your self-questions
2 people found this helpful
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Henry Horning
5.0 out of 5 stars Stillness is my new religion....
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2014
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I had the great honor of spending a weekend with Charles at Kripalu Center a few months ago and this book is a wonderful compilation of the life-transforming information and experiences which Charles shared. Highly recommended!
3 people found this helpful
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Cynthia Drumheller Hoag
4.0 out of 5 stars Deep and Professional
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2010
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This book brings together a number of subjects I am interested in: energy fields, love, stillness, resonance, consciousness, and meditation. It brings them all together and shows how they relate. It is fascinating, but also technical. I nibble on it to try to digest its insights. I haven't seen another book that connects the dots as well as this one.
10 people found this helpful
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Michele Mattingly
5.0 out of 5 stars Stillness: Biodynamic Cranial Practice
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2018
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May the Stillness be with You! Excellent book!
2 people found this helpful
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Kimberly Hamlin
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2018
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An awesome read
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Top reviews from other countries

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Sheryl Hamilton
5.0 out of 5 stars very helpful
Reviewed in Canada on July 21, 2023
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Detailed explanations on the tides and other enfoldments that will affirm the experience of seasoned practitioners and offer several reliable signposts for beginners.
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Esotekum
5.0 out of 5 stars Großartiges und sehr empfehlenswertes Buch!
Reviewed in Germany on February 6, 2019
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Sehr empfehlenswertes Buch über das Begenen/nicht begegnen, Hände auflegen/nichts tun, wenn wir im Sein / der Dynamischen Stille sind, diese Entdecken. Dieses ist unsere wahres Ich... Großartig zu lesen, wie lange der Autor das schon praktiziert. Meiner Erachtens ist das die Form/ der formlose Weg sich zu begegnen in diesem Raum/Zeit-(losen) Erleben... Sich fallen lassen und nichts mehr wollen, keinen Strukturen folgen, sonder einfach SEIN... Dieses überträgt sich dann auf den Anderen und Veränderungen können erfolgen...
3 people found this helpful
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Kay
5.0 out of 5 stars This book will ruffle your Cranial feathers and take you down the rabbit hole! - Good!!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 3, 2017
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Fantastic little book which explains and explores the deeper meaning of William Sutherland's work towards the end of his life - In a nutshell the book dives into the depths of meaning and experience a Cranial therapist/healer needs to understand in Sutherland's epitaph "Be Still and Know I Am". The book may ruffle your feathers and test your thinking if you have already been Cranial Osteopath or Cranialsacral Practitioner for years. This is a good thing. If you are familiar with James Jealous or Rollin Beckers teachings then this book kind of concisely explains their ideas but in a format that one can incorporate into your practice.This is the first book that I have read that explains the difference between biomechanical, functional and biodynamic frames/techniques. You will need to keep using google dictionary as author uses some fancy words:) - my vocabulary increased by at least 15 new words LOL. Have a read and incorporate some of his ideas into your touch and see if it resonates and takes your work into new levels of depth and stillness. Overall highly recommended.
2 people found this helpful
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Fourteau
5.0 out of 5 stars Tout simplement renversant
Reviewed in France on January 20, 2011
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Soyons très clair, cet ouvrage n'est pas un manuel de techniques et ne le sera jamais. Charles Ridley se démarque de l'Ostéopathie dite ''Médicale''tout en accordant respect et reconnaissance à ceux qui ont choisi ce chemin. Celui de l'auteur est très philosophique, multi-culturel, et fait écho à une quête spirituelle merveilleusement ancrée dans une Ostéopathie objective. "Le pouvoir qui sait fabriquer un corps sait le guérir...". Cet ouvrage vous bouleversera totalement ou vous le jetterez avec joie...selon vos intimes convictions. Il n'y est contenu aucune vérité, sinon celle de prendre le risque de ne plus jamais entrevoir la vie de la même manière. En ce qui me concerne, ce livre et sa bibliographie ont été une fabuleuse découverte...
2 people found this helpful
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Hsienjukao
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book.
Reviewed in Canada on October 4, 2020
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Worth to read.
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