12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Amazing Journey of the Senses!!!, July 2, 2005
This review is from: Spirit Song: The Introduction of No-Eyes (Paperback)
I just finished reading this wonderful book, and I am still awed by its' beauty! "Spirit Song" is truly a gem to behold!
Mary Summer Rain's writing style is such that I actually felt as though I was right there with her & the "old woman" - hearing, seeing, smelling, feeling, & sensing all that they did. What a wonderful journey it was!
"Spirit Song" is a story about the author's meeting, and subsequent learning from, and old Chippewa visionary. It is filled with the most beautiful imagery of the Colorado mountains - where both resided - as well as the amazing imagery of the past & potential future of life on earth.
It's about an old woman with much to teach, and a younger woman who is eager to learn. It's about that special bond we all need - friendship. It's about hardship & loss, and bliss & freedom. This book is so many things all wrapped up in a wonderfully written package.
This is the first book in the No-Eyes series - apparently there are several - and I am quite eager now to order & read the next one.
If you are at all interested in spirituality and/or the American Indian culture, this would be a great book for you. I can't recommend it highly enough! I would also recommend the book "Black Elk", which is another great portrayal of the life of an old Indian visionary.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Truly Beatific and Beautiful Book!, February 17, 2003
This review is from: Spirit Song: The Introduction of No-Eyes (Paperback)
... My girlfriend recommended I read this book, and I'm glad I listened to her. If you have ever read, and enjoyed, any of the many books of Carlos Castaneda ( now passed away - ? ) about his continuing adventures with ( and without ) the Native American Indian shaman-teacher, Don Juan, then you most certainly will also enjoy reading this series of "NO-EYES BOOKS" ( as some call them ) by the gifted author, Mary Summer Rain. ... What a beautiful writer! What a wonderful story! What an amazing set of visions!
... Yeah, she touches upon many of the standard "New Age" bases as she weaves her tale: aliens, alternative medicine, angelic beings, astral projection, astrology, back-to-nature living, dream symbololy, earth changes, ecology, herbology, meditation, mind-reading, Native American spirituality, parapsychology, prophecy, psychic powers, psycho-kinesis, reincarnation, shamanism, spirit-guides, UFO's, vision-quests, et al ... but she does it in a way that has a natural flow and with a a lightness of spirit that is not overbearing or overly serious. She draws you in, instead of hitting you over the head with her insights.
... Is No-Eyes a real person? ... Is Don Juan, or Jesus, or even Socrates? ... Ultimately, who cares? So what?! Or, "What so!," as No-Eyes would say. All that really matters are the archetypal truths conveyed by the narrative. These truths, and "lessons" of No-Eyes, are deep, profound, and life-affirming - and they are there to be appreciated by one and all, thanks to the wise writings of Mary Summer Rain.
... As she quotes No-Eyes on page 61: "Now, in old days Peoples love all stuff. They love trees, mountains, grass, animals, all stuff. Sacred powers were nature forces: wind, water, fire, lightning. Peoples know Father Sky and Earth Mother parents of all life. Every creature have spirit. All nature be People's church. It be bad stuff to force Great Spirit to crouch down into one building. Great Spirit everywhere! It forever duty of Peoples to every day give prayers to Great Mystery, to be thankful. These prayers more important to Peoples than food even. All Peoples see Great Spirit in black rain clouds, hear Him in thundering waterfalls. Peoples make all acts in life a sacred act. Peoples know sacred silence is voice of Great Spirit. This silence be ultimate balance of mind, body, and spirit. Peoples give away all one's stuff! They know stuff not where Great Spirit be. Stuff not important! Summer, that true love. That pure love!"
... How anyone cannot be charmed and moved by this wonderful little treasure of a book is beyond me! If you enjoyed reading Black Elk Speaks, you will enjoy this book. Also, we have all seen those maps of what the future of the planet is supposed to look like by, supposedly, the year 2012. Right? You've seen those maps! Well, remember, that this book was first published in 1985 - way before COMING EARTH CHANGES in 1996 by William Hutton, NOTES FROM THE COSMOS in 1997 by Gordon-Michael Scallion, and many of the other "future prophecy" books out there on the market were published. Remember that the next time you see one of those maps on someone's living room wall! ... One could also say that certain Native American people might take offense to their traditional spirituality being combined with and / or co-opted by "New Age-ism." As we all know, Native Americans very much resent their genuine religious beliefs being exploited by New Agers seeking glory and profit from their ancient wisdom. Nevertheless, Mary Summer Rain writes of these ancient and perenial truths with such respect and loving admiration that one would be hard-pressed to find fault with her. She really is sowing seeds of higher consciousness with these books, and she should be commended for that. ... YOWZA! - The Aeolian Kid
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Answers many questions in a way I readily accept, June 20, 1997
By A Customer
This review is from: Spirit Song: The Introduction of No-Eyes (Paperback)
If you are searching for answers (wisdom) about life, this book will lead you to finding them. Mary Summer Rain, along with No Eyes, provides insight into many spiritual aspects of life and challenges the reader to ponder for themselves how to use this wisdom. I found acceptable answers to several questions with which I had wrestled for years. I strongly encourage anyone who is searching to read this book
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
