Customer Reviews

The Dreams of Dragons: An Exploration and Celebration of the Mysteries of Nature

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Lyall Watson is a renaissance man, and his vast and varied experiences, readings and interests are easily on display in this and all his other books. Watson has an eye for whimsical and unusual events, for beautiful images whether natural or manufactured, and a keen intution for the magic in the ordinary image, thought, and objects. This book specifically addresses all those strange and unexplained events which our orthodox scientists (isn't that an oxymoron) reject as unproven, untested, and unscientific. Watson who holds a PhD in some branch of the natural sciences sees the inifinite humor, compassion, and joy inherent in being alive on this earth, and the strange inhabitants of it, whether it be Komodo dragons, human beings, or rivers. In his stories and anecdotes inanimate objects come to life, water can be happy or sad, mammals can re-grow severed limbs, and teh existance of shells (with their forms often representing mathematical perfection) can have hidden lives.... If for no other reason than to have whimsical, unusual, and interesting trivia to talk about at a dry and dull dinner table, this book is to be read and marvelled at...

I read and enjoyed this book years ago, and copied a chapter I have reread a number of times and shared with friends. In the chapter called The Essence of Balance, Watson describes a culture of cannibals living in Indonesian New Guinea. These Papuan Asmat people have (had, presumably) a system of headhunting that at first glance is repellent: eating your dead enemy's brains? But in delicate detail, one comes to potentially understand this system as infinitely more civilized (to start with, by resolving tribal tensions with a single death) than our supposedly superior ways of bombing, maiming, and starving hundreds or millions. This essay alone is worth the price of the book.

Loved it! A small, quick read and well worth it. Mr. Watson brings myth and legend to life.

An amazing book! Full of short stories, seemingly non-essential facts about existence, and seemingly random ideas all come together to inspire us to look at the magic and synchronicity within the universe and within our own lives. Even if we cannot find meaning behind everything we see, we are encouraged to accept the wonder and awe of it all. The book helps me to be proud of being alive in this world, and to keep exploring the possibilities. It's a great book to read all the way through or in little doses. Spirit Journeys: Freeing the Soul in this Life and Beyond, Healing Thoughts: Applying Therapeutic Shamanism in Your Daily Life