Rumi’s Life-Changing The 3 Gates of Speech
1 week ago
6 Comments
Quietude on Amazon Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? The great Sufi poet, Rumi, believed that before we speak, our words should
Welcome!
I’m really glad you’re here. I’m David Daniel Ahearn. For a long time, I made my living on stages, telling stories under bright lights in theaters and hotel conference rooms around the world. Somewhere along the way, the world shifted, and I found myself wondering about the bigger questions that surround our world. This became the place where I started sharing those thoughts, ideas, and ruminations.
Enter David Daniel Books, a name I gave exactly zero thought to at the time, which somehow stuck. It had to—I already bought the domain! Funny how something you gave any thought can end up becoming your namesake.
David Daniel Books is a home for stories, reflections, and ideas meant to slow us down and help us pay attention. This is where I share that work. You’ll find blog posts, photos of the day, the occasional quote, books, YouTube videos, and observations drawn from everyday moments that stay with me longer than expected.
The goal here is pretty simple: genuine connection. Think of these as notes from one traveler to another, wondering what it means to live well, love well, and stay awake to the strange and beautiful mystery of being here at all.
If something resonates, feel free to sit with it for a moment, and if you’re moved to, send me a note. I’d truly love to hear from you. If it sparks a question, even better. This space isn’t about having answers. It’s about making room for what’s true.
Welcome. Take your time. Enjoy the journey.
Let's Take a Look Around...
Quietude: The Wisdom of Rumi
A Modern Spiritual Fable for Seekers of Silence, Wisdom, and Love
In a noisy world, one woman chooses silence. Rumi, a mysterious wanderer, carries only her Little Red Book and the guidance of two ancient guardians: Big Mama, the Earth, and The Maestro, an ageless tree rooted in the hills of Sintra. What begins as a journey of escape transforms into an odyssey of awakening—one that draws artists, villagers, merchants, and seekers from across the globe to sit in her quiet presence.
Through silence, Rumi teaches.
Through stillness, she reveals.
Through her words—offered sparingly, like jewels—she discovers the Profound Love Codes, a timeless truth that dissolves barriers and awakens the heart.
From the innocence of a child offering a flower, to the desperation of a wealthy merchant seeking peace, to the revelation of universal wisdom beneath The Maestro’s branches—Quietude invites you to witness a journey that is both story and mirror, fable and field guide.
Readers of The Little Prince, Siddhartha, and The Prophet will find in this novella a companion for their own search for meaning. More than a tale, it is a call:
to sit, to listen, to remember the silence within.
Praise for Quietude
“A contemplative parable that lingers in the heart long after the final page.”
“Rumi’s story is less about answers than about presence—and in that presence, the reader discovers their own truth.”
“A spiritual classic in the making.”
Journals to Guide Your Journey
There are moments in life when the past and the present lean in toward each other, whispering. Memoirs of a Renaissance Man is where I gather those whispers—the stories, lessons, missteps, small victories, and flashes of grace that have shaped this winding path.
This space lives on Substack and serves as the home of my written reflections. Each week, I share longer pieces—memories from the road, quiet revelations from a morning on the beach, or evenings at home with Adi. Some of these reflections grow into Galveston Dispatch: Tales from the Gulf, where I explore the spirit and stories of the island I love.
Alongside those longer reflections, I keep a simple daily practice. Once a day, I take a photo and write a few lines about what it stirs—my Photo of the Day. I also offer one short, inspiring quote each day. Small noticings. Brief pauses. Gentle reminders to pay attention.
But always—always—this is an exploration of what it means to live wide-open: to follow curiosity, to serve with heart, to create, to question, to remember, and to begin again.
These dispatches are the record of a life lived in many directions, all pointing toward the same truth: every chapter, every craft, every calling becomes part of the one story we’re here to tell.
Welcome to the journey.
A Quiet Thought for the Day
Photo of the Day
Music Waiting While the Rain Falls
The winter storm has arrived, and rain strikes the island with steady force as palm trees bend and resist. Outside feels relentless, as though the weather has chosen its target and will not soften its aim. Inside, the room holds warmth and quiet, sheltered from the noise and urgency beyond the glass. The storm does its work without concern for us, and we are spared the need to respond.
The harp stands ready near the window, patient and untroubled, waiting to offer a song of unity and compassion. The music for the day rests open, notes poised in stillness, asking only for attention. Nothing here needs to be finished or proven. These are the days when the Creator invites us to stop, to listen, and to remain. When the rain falls like this and the cold presses close, what if rest is not avoidance, but the very work being asked of you?
David Ahearn
Galveston Island, Texas
Winter, 2026
Join me on Substack to get the Photo of the Day, daily inspirational quotes and select articles to inspire you on your journey.
Read Here: The Most Recent Stories
The Chord That Knows the Way
4 weeks ago
2 Comments
“Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord that David played, and it pleased the Lord.” The lyrics lingered in the room, the first sounds
13 Nights: When Time Stands Still
2 months ago
No Comments
Wesley and I had a long drive in front of us. We’d spent the week in St. Joseph, Missouri, learning how to build small homes,
COURSES
Join David Ahearn as he brings Stand Up and Speak to life. Discover your unique voice and unlock the message you were born to share. Designed to guide you step-by-step, each module blends practical wisdom with heartfelt inspiration, helping you rise with confidence and speak your truth to the world.
DavidAhearn.com
Begin Your Speaking and Storytelling Journey
Free Email Course: 12 Universal Laws
Master the 12 Universal Laws
Each week, you’ll receive one Universal Law delivered straight to your inbox—clear, practical, and easy to apply.
In this free 12-week email course, you’ll learn what each Law means, how it actually works, and how to use it in your everyday life. Get simple insights that helps you understand the deeper order behind your experiences and the choices you make.
You’ll see how each Law fits into the bigger picture of the universe, and how working with these principles instead of against them creates more clarity, ease, and direction.
Get started with your free Guidebook below or purchase the full printed guidebook on Amazon!
