The Stillness of Life

The Stillness of Life: The Osteopathic Philosophy of Rollin E. Becker, DO reveals the deep thinking and insights of a remarkable osteopathic practitioner and teacher. This book is a collection of his more personal communication and teachings, including ideas he was not comfortable to freely share in public at the time.

Dr. Rollin Becker (1910-1996) ceaselessly pursued his own understanding of health and healing in the context of his lifelong practice of "cranial osteopathy." Following in the path of Drs. A.T. Still, the founder of osteopathy, and W.G. Sutherland, the developer of "osteopathy in the cranial field," Dr. Becker benefitted generations of students with his teaching, and he continues to do so through his collected works.

The contents of The Stillness of Life span a time from 1949 to 1987. They show the development of Dr. Becker's ideas over time and demonstrate his strong commitment to continual observation, reflection, and growth. The material covers a broad range of discussion on osteopathic subjects. At one end of the spectrum are thoughtful articulations as he instructs those early in their practice life. At the other end are Dr. Becker's attempts to put into words the indescribable energetic and spiritual aspects of his understanding. The book also contains correspondence between Rollin Becker and his great mentor, Dr. William G. Sutherland. These letters show the close relationship that developed between student and teacher in the last decade of Sutherland's life, and Dr. Becker's dedicated search for understanding.

Dr. Becker strongly believed that a philosophy, no matter how great it might sound, was of little use unless it had a practical expression. Given this belief, osteopathy was a perfect venue for his life's work. Osteopathy's philosophy is far-reaching, and its application to patient care is direct. Osteopathic understanding, as enunciated by its founder, Andrew Taylor Still, encompasses everything from the physical structure of the body to the universal forces that govern all nature. Similarly, the practice of osteopathy has within it the simple taking hold of a bone as well as being conscious of all the forces operating in the patient, including his or her highest spiritual nature.

The Stillness of Life serves as a unique opportunity to share in the more personal reflections and insights of a great osteopathic practitioner and teacher. All who practice a healing art will find in this book ideas that will deepen their own understanding and practice.

The Works of Rollin E. Becker, DO

Life in Motion: The Osteopathic Vision of Rollin E Becker, DO contains the written and verbal discussions he carried on in his teaching of osteopathy, inspiring generations of practitioners and teachers.

The Stillness of Life: The Osteopathic Philosophy of Rollin E Becker, DO contains his more personal and private communications, revealing the deep reflections and insights of this great osteopathic practitioner and teacher.

Three Great Teachers of Osteopathy: Lessons we Learned from Drs. Becker, Fulford, and Wales contains stories told by those who encountered these great "cranial osteopathic" practitioners and teachers.

Rollin E. Becker, DO (1910-1996) was a remarkable practitioner and teacher of cranial osteopathy. He was born into an osteopathic family--his father, Arthur Becker, DO, at that time was a teacher under the guidance of osteopathy's founder, Andrew Taylor Still. Rollin, after practicing for a decade, deepened his study of Dr. Stills writings, and also met and became a dedicated student of cranial osteopathy's founder, William G. Sutherland, DO.The guidance of both Still and Sutherland led Dr. Becker to learn from the most authoritative source available--the living forces present within the living body. He became a ceaseless observer, continually seeking an answer to the question: What is "health" and what is the most efficient and effective way to help bring it about? In his lectures and writings, Dr. Becker taught in a way that encouraged his students to seek and observe those same living forces of health within the body that he had learned from. Dr. Becker lived the osteopathy that he taught-it being both simple and profound. His understanding of health and healing, and his capacity to apply it for the benefit of his patients and students, were profound. Yet this great depth of knowledge and skill were always delivered in the simplest and most direct way possible. He met the needs of each person who came to him as best he could and strove to learn something more about Life from each encounter.

RACHEL E. BROOKS, MD: Dr. Brooks' lifelong dedication to osteopathy began in 1975 when she met Rollin E. Becker, DO, a great practitioner and teacher of cranial osteopathy, who had been a close student of Dr. William G. Sutherland, the founder of that osteopathic approach. She also had the opportunity to study closely with Anne L. Wales, DO, another close student of Dr. Sutherland's. Dr. Brooks teaches cranial osteopathic courses and served on the board of trustees of the Sutherland Cranial Teaching Foundation for sixteen years. She teaches across the US and internationally and is sought for her personal and historical insights regarding the practice and foundations of osteopathic practice. Her current series of courses is titled, "The Power of Presence." Dr. Brooks has also undertaken many publication projects. In the 1980s, she assisted Anne Wales, DO in the editing of Teachings in the Science of Osteopathy by William G. Sutherland, DO, and she helped edit the second edition of Sutherland's Contributions of Thought. In 1997, she founded Stillness Press. Rachel E. Brooks, MD is the editor of these Stillness Press books: Life in Motion: The Osteopathic Vision of Rollin E. Becker, DOThe Stillness of Life: The Osteopathic Philosophy of Rollin E. Becker, DOThree Great Teachers of Osteopathy: Lessons We Learned from Drs. Becker, Fulford, and Wales