THE DAISY SUTRA: Conversations with My Dog
Helen Weaver, THE DAISY SUTRA: Conversations with My DogIn this memoir of loss and learning, Weaver (who has translated 50 books from the French) first loses her 100-year-old mother and then her 15-year-old beagle/shepherd/collie mix, Daisy, whose soulful face graces the book's cover. Remarking that "a pet is a lesson in letting go, a home course in Buddhism," Weaver recounts Daisy's last months and her own exploration of interspecies communication. Though at first somewhat skeptical, Weaver called on three different "animal communicators" before and after Daisy's death and came to believe that they could indeed interpret Daisy's thoughts. According to Weaver, one of Daisy's wisest "sutras" (Buddhist or Hindu aphorisms) is "The more people who know we are not just 'dumb animals,' the better. Humans are a strange lot. They need to be healed." As Weaver relates how Daisy remained her spiritual guide and muse even after her death, readers fascinated by the notion that mysterious forms of communication are possible may find the book gives some credence to claims of interspecies communication. (At present, there are close to 150 practitioners of this telepathic technique in the U.S.) The book concludes with an interview with an animal communicator, a fine section on related books and a list of recommended communicators. Beyond its two clear audiences—New Age readers and dog lovers open to the idea of interspecies communication—this moving, well-written book may sway even a few skeptics. Charming illus. (Apr.)
closeDetailsReviewed on: 03/26/2001
Genre: Nonfiction
In this memoir of loss and learning, Weaver (who has translated 50 books from the French) first loses her 100-year-old mother and then her 15-year-old beagle/shepherd/collie mix, Daisy, whose soulful face graces the book's cover. Remarking that "a pet is a lesson in letting go, a home course in Buddhism," Weaver recounts Daisy's last months and her own exploration of interspecies communication. Though at first somewhat skeptical, Weaver called on three different "animal communicators" before and after Daisy's death and came to believe that they could indeed interpret Daisy's thoughts. According to Weaver, one of Daisy's wisest "sutras" (Buddhist or Hindu aphorisms) is "The more people who know we are not just 'dumb animals,' the better. Humans are a strange lot. They need to be healed." As Weaver relates how Daisy remained her spiritual guide and muse even after her death, readers fascinated by the notion that mysterious forms of communication are possible may find the book gives some credence to claims of interspecies communication. (At present, there are close to 150 practitioners of this telepathic technique in the U.S.) The book concludes with an interview with an animal communicator, a fine section on related books and a list of recommended communicators. Beyond its two clear audiences—New Age readers and dog lovers open to the idea of interspecies communication—this moving, well-written book may sway even a few skeptics. Charming illus.
Reviewed on: 03/26/2001
Genre: Nonfiction
