Outer Chaos Inner Calm

by Anthony N Abbagnano

Life's chaos doesn't need to overwhelm you."OuterChaos, Inner Calm", by Anthony Abbagnano, is a groundbreaking guide to reclaiming inner peace

through breathwork, personal transformation, and mindful awareness. Drawing from decades of experience and wisdom from Alchemy of Breath, Anthony

shares his profound journey from turmoil to calm and invites you to embark on your own path toward healing and empowerment. Breathwork Learn powerful breathwork practices to unlock inner stillness and clarity, even amidst life's most difficult moments. Personal Explore how to move from feeling stuck or overwhelmed to a state of resilience, peace, and purpose. Mindful Develop a core strength that allows you to navigate the outer chaos of the world with an unwavering sense of inner calm. Practical Gain insights from Anthony's personal journey and the teachings that have transformed the lives of thousands. A compassionate guide to self-awakening, Outer Chaos, Inner Calm weaves together a lifetime of wisdom with illuminated insights from diverse traditions. By moving through layers of conditioning and limiting patterns, readers are invited to embody their true turning self-doubt into assurance, wounds into wisdom and potential into power.

256 pages, Paperback

Published May 14, 2025

Reviews

[Ryan Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who lives and teaches the connection between the breath and the nervous system, *Outer Chaos, Inner Calm* resonated with me on a deep level. The title alone speaks volumes—because it’s exactly what breathwork is about: finding that internal still point amidst the turbulence of life.

This book isn’t just another self-help read with surface-level advice. It’s a grounded, well-paced guide that offers a practical roadmap to presence. What stood out to me is how the author bridges ancient wisdom with modern insight, without it feeling overly “spiritual” or clinical. There’s a humility in the writing that allows space for the reader to meet themselves exactly where they are.

One of the highlights for me was the emphasis on **how we interpret stress**—not as something to fight against, but something to observe and work *with*. That aligns so closely with what I teach in the *Language of Breath*: the idea that the unconscious self is not an enemy but a part of us trying to survive, and that awareness is the foundation for meaningful change.

Another aspect that felt powerful was the way the book invites the reader to *slow down*. It doesn’t preach stillness; it creates it. There’s a difference. Whether it’s through simple, grounded exercises or reflections on how we unconsciously react to chaos, the book gently reveals how we *can* build the inner architecture for calm—moment by moment, breath by breath.

I also appreciated the subtle but consistent reminders that **calm is not passive**. It’s not checking out—it’s choosing to respond rather than react. That shift in framing is something I work with clients on all the time. This book provides language and practices that reinforce that idea in a way that’s accessible, even if someone is new to the path.

What makes *Outer Chaos, Inner Calm* unique isn’t just its message—it’s how it’s delivered. The voice is steady, the content layered without being overwhelming, and the tools offered are ones you’ll want to revisit again and again. It’s not a book to speed through—it’s a book to breathe with.

If you’re looking for something that supports nervous system regulation, deepens your awareness, and invites you into a calmer, more conscious relationship with life—this one is worth sitting with. You’ll walk away with more than just information; you’ll walk away with a sense of grounded possibility.

—Ryan Bean

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outer Chaos, Inner Calm is a practical guide for anyone wanting to connect more deeply with their inner wisdom through compassion, creativity, and whole-self integration.

Anthony N. Abbagnano draws from his decades of experience to offer a book filled with thoughtful reflections and guided exercises. It’s a valuable resource for those in a process of self-discovery or re-narrating their lives, providing tools to move from overwhelm toward clarity and grounded presence.

Keep your journal and sticky notes close—this is a book you’ll want to work through actively. Whether you’re new to personal development or already well-versed in it, this book has the potential to be a steady, supportive companion on your path.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars, not because it falls short in content, but because it’s not what I personally need at this stage of my life. For someone in a moment of change, re-orientation, or deep self-inquiry, it has the potential to be life-changing. My only critique is that the layout made it a bit tricky to quickly reference the exercises, but the quality of the insights and practices more than make up for it.

[Cheryl Deitrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Kelsey @bookpublicityservices for the opportunity to read this book!

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“ To Inspire is to breathe in “
“ Dream big and let your imagination run wild “

I work a high stress job and am often stressed. Anthony has written an inspirational guide to reclaiming inner peace through breath work, mindful awareness,
meditation, and personal transformation.

He will teach you methods to reclaim and recreate your capacity for choice. My favorite methods were the
Diamond method, sailing analogy, and breathing exercises. One thing that resonated with me a lot was him saying that doubt is not a dead end but a doorway discovering all we need to navigate life challenges already within us.

I enjoyed trying the many exercises to see which ones work for me to incorporate into my daily routine. I highly recommend this book!

#read #inspire #selflove❤️ #selfcare #healing #happiness #smile #books #bookworm #booksbooksbooks #bookish #bookaholic #bookstagram #anxietyawareness #stressless #readmorebooks

[Nirel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels like a personal journey led by the author, who weaves in their own experiences and challenges to remind you that you’re not alone. The writing balances depth with accessibility, breaking down the transformation process into clear, easy-to-follow chapters. It reads like a one-on-one coaching session, guiding you to explore deep places within yourself while also offering practical tools for lasting change. I felt supported throughout the process, which is rare in transformational work. A must-read for anyone ready to shift their life but unsure where to begin.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very insightful & easy to digest. Anthony does a beautiful job of weaving in years of experience in a way that has a very human approach! The practically and actionable steps to take toward inner healing was much appreciated - truly was an excellent and much needed read- everyone should read this book!

[Melaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outer Chaos, Inner Calm is one of those books that you return to again and again to be reminded that calm is found within. The book is very grounding and transformative and invites readers to feel supported through the ebbs and flows of life.

[JDA · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I think it’s a staple that can apply to so many people no matter what place they are at in their life. Concepts that are fundamental to living a happy and healthy life with a peaceful inner world. Highly recommend.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthony's book offers engaging, thought-provoking stories that invite genuine reflection. The personal narratives are compelling, and they balance vulnerability with insight that feels authentic. I especially appreciated the inclusion of practical breathwork exercises that are very accessible. The book overall strikes a lovely balance between inspiration and practicality.

[Chad Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of books about finding calm, but this book quickly jumped near the top of the list with its engaging roadmap and enlightening examples. The book does an excellent job of helping dive deep into our past while also thoughtfully moving beyond this into the present and future state. It’s no doubt that it will be one that I will continue to revisit in the future to uncover new strategies for living in peace and fulfillment.

I'd highly recommend this book for anyone that is looking to navigate the distractions in this hyper digital world and instead cultivate and embrace clarity. The book is well organized into engaging chapters and reads easily, but is packed with actionable strategies.

[Almys · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the stories shared and the ending … was perfectionnnn!!!

[Karla Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are several exercises in this book that you can choose to do which allow you to explore within yourself and guides you to heal different aspects of your life in different timelines. I was really intrigued with the exercise or writing your autobiography in 7 year increments. Wow! The author shares his experiences and why he is on this path to help and help others heal. He writes about breath work in a way that touches your curiosity to try. There are exercises that are accessible for anyone to practice. This book is a great read. We’re all healing along our own paths. This book reminds us that we all go through similar experiences and we can all find a way or ways to heal through the power of mindfulness and breath work.

[Lorraine Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many self help books and some have been helpful and others have not. But this book seems like a fresh take on how you can change your life through breath work and personal exploration. He guides the reader through a series of exercises addressing problems like fear, childhood trauma, self doubt, powerlessness and more. I love this one line he wrote, "make confusion an opportunity." So often we are made to believe everything is perfect. But life is messy and this book helps the reader gain some power and perspective on how to not only survive but thrive. I found the book and its exercises very fresh and inspiring.

[Kolby Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthony Abbagnano's Outer Chaos, Inner Calm is a brilliantly insightful book for anyone seeking spiritual growth and practical daily guidance. Through accessible tools like self-reflection, examination, and breath work, Anthony shows how to cultivate a happier, more fulfilling life. His writing is engaging, personal, and uplifting—a perfect blend of practical wisdom and ethereal spirituality. If you’re looking for ways to quiet the mind and infuse more joy into your days, I highly recommend this book. It has the power to transform not only your outlook on life but also your understanding of what truly matters.

[Karen Buxcel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really met me where I was at. Outer Chaos, Inner Calm feels like a friend sitting beside you, gently reminding you that even when life feels overwhelming, there’s always a way back to clarity. Anthony’s writing is simple, grounding, and practical—like he’s giving you tools you can actually use instead of just ideas that sound good. I found myself taking deep breaths just while reading it, which says a lot. It’s one of those books you can keep nearby and return to again and again

[Amalia Gallego · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how expansive yet digestible it felt, full of grounded wisdom, practical insight, and a sense of genuine connection. It touches on healing on many levels: emotional, energetic, and even collective.

For facilitators or even anyone curious about the breath and journaling and its potential, this book is a beautiful guide. Really loved this read