This wonderfully unique collaboration brings together two masters of their fields, joining original words by spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle with delightful illustrations by Patrick McDonnell, the creator of the acclaimed comic strip MUTTS. Every heartwarming page provokes thought, insight, and smiling reverence for all beings and each moment.
More than a collection of witty and charming drawings, the marriage of Patrick McDonnell's art and Eckhart Tolle's words conveys a profound love of nature, of animals, of humans, of all life-forms. Guardians of Being celebrates and reminds us of not only the oneness of all life but also the wonder and joy to be found in the present moment, amid the beauty we sometimes forget to notice all around us.
This book is obviously unique, simply because of the presentation. It is also written for the masses obviously. Nothing wrong with it. Many times, the only challenge I have with this type of feel good books that lack content. For that content, and keeping me sober and real, I reminded myself of the book Mylife Framework: A Model For A Successful Life Based On The Yoga Principles. This not to say that book lacks depth, it has a few very profound concepts, but I think I still prefer the profound spiritual concepts to be presented in a bit sober, sacred way rather than with cartoons. But I still loved the book, and I'm sure I'll refer to it more than once. Definitely a keeper.
writes,
A Coffee Table Book almost by definition is large and glossy. Something to look big and beautiful on a table in the living room. Guardian of Being is neither. It is small and unassuming. However, it goes beyond the standard and creates a new definition: a book to have handy and read over and over.
Each time I read Guardian of Being it gets better and/or I perceive something new in the universe. I sometimes read this book cover to cover or sometimes focus on a particular illustration with its associated text.
I love my new Coffee Table Book.
writes,
My twin sister in the US introduced me to Patrick McDonnell's "Mutts" just around the time I discovered Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now. I acknowledged the deep wisdom inherent in Tolle's teachings, but found his book rather dense and difficult to read.
However, when I met Mooch, Earl and the rest of the Mutts family, I instantly recognized kindred spirits, and have been an ardent fan ever since. I receive the Daily Mutts cartoon and monthly newsletter online, and The Gift of Nothing, Just Like Heaven, an autographed copy of Sunday Mornings, and now Guardians of Being are cherished gifts and hold a special place in my book collection.
Guardians of Being is a divinely inspired collaboration. Tolle's insights are bite-sized and easy-to-digest, and are beautifully complemented by McDonnell's uplifting, humorous illustrations. The message is simple yet profound: that the plant and animal kingdom can open our hearts and teach us to be still, to be present, and to just BE. It gave me a renewed sense of appreciation for all the wonders of God's creation, but especially my beloved dog and cat. I will be ordering many copies of Guardians of Being for friends who are both animal lovers and spiritual seekers.
Eckhart Tolle has a large following in Australia, but Patrick McDonnell is relatively unknown. I hope Guardians of Being will help spread his imaginative joy to a wider international audience.
PS: Has anyone else noticed how much Eckhart Tolle and Patrick McDonnell resemble their dogs?
