Friday, September 11, 2009

REVIEW: Guardians of Being

Guardians of Being
by Eckhart Tolle (author), Patrick McDonnell (illustrator)
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: New World Library (October 1, 2009)


Guardians

Guardians of Being is a unique collaboration between two bestselling authors - Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now and Patrick McDonnell, the creator of the acclaimed comic strip MUTTS. More than your typical collection of witty words and charming illustrations, Guardians of Being provokes thought and induces smiles & laughter with each turn of the page. Eckhart's words and Patrick's art are if they were always meant to be together.

Guardians of Being is a must have book for any animal lover. Whether you leave it on your nightstand, coffee table or desk, I bet you'll find yourself reaching for it often, turning to a favorite page. I find myself chuckling with one of those big smiles on my face every time I flip through. One of my favorites is "Dogs off the precious opportunity, even to people who are trapped in their egos, of loving and being loved unconditionally." Want to see an illustration that will make every single dog parent laugh... out loud? Grab the book and open to page 51!

I could go on and on about how I think you need to add this book to your collection or purchase a few for gifts this holiday season, but instead I would like to take this opportunity to share an interesting talk with Patrick, provided by the publisher. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

A Talk With Patrick McDonnell on Guardians of Being
Reprinted with permission of New World Library, Novato, CA.

How did Guardians of Being come to be?

This book is a collaboration of Eckhart’s teachings and my MUTTS cartoon illustrations. As does all of Eckhart Tolle’s work, Guardians of Being teaches us about finding inner peace by living in the now, the transformation of our consciousness, and the arising of a more enlightened humanity. The primary signposts in this new book are all of nature and, in particular, our beloved dogs and cats.

Guardians of Being reminds us why we love our companion animals. It illuminates for us their divine purpose. While we are lost in our thoughts and busyness of everyday life, they have become the key to the present moment, our guardians of being.

How did you become aware of Eckhart’s teachings?

In 1999, while traveling in Los Angeles and visiting one of my favorite bookstores (The Bodhi Tree), I saw The Power of Now on their new arrival shelf. I was compelled to bring that book home; it moved me with its directness, simplicity, and place of deep truth. As it has done for millions, The Power of Now changed my life. Since then, I have continued to follow Eckhart’s work. His teachings inspires MUTTS, and many strips have a direct connection to them.

How is it that a spiritual teacher and a cartoonist collaborated?

Eckhart speaks often that true happiness is found in simple things, but you need to be present. He says that animals and all of nature can teach us that presence. That same teaching is at the heart of MUTTS. Seeing a photo of Eckhart with his new dog, Maya gave me the impetus to pursue this project. I thought combining my art with Eckhart’s teachings on how animals and nature can bring us into the present moment could be a good entry point ‘into the Now’ for some people.

I created a proposal for the book and Eckhart graciously agreed to collaborate. He edited quotes I selected from his prior talks, interviews and books, and wrote new material for what was to become Guardians of Being. He created a passionate, humorous, enlightening meditation on the power and grace that animals can bring into our lives.

Why is it important to connect with animals?

Animals are our link back to nature. Walking a dog, petting a cat or simply watching birds outside a window, all can take you outside yourself and into the bigger picture.

Our companion animals remind us of the responsibility we have in the stewardship of our planet and all its creatures. The simple everyday choices we make – like what we eat, wear, recycle, think, and how we treat each other – can help make the world a better, friendlier place.

You have won numerous awards, not only for cartooning but for your work surrounding animal protection issues. Can you speak about how your animal and earth-friendly philosophy influences your work?

Animals are one with life and can be our link back to nature. In MUTTS I try to keep the animals animal-like. In trying to see the world through their eyes, I have become more aware of and empathic to their situation.

I’ve been on the board of directors of The Humane Society of the United States for nine years. The mission of The HSUS is to create a humane and sustainable world for all animals—a world that will also benefit people. Through education, advocacy and public policy reform, the organization works to prevent animal cruelty, exploitation, and neglect, as well as to protect wild habitats and the entire community of life. But at the core there is just one problem, unconsciousness. We no longer feel connected to nature, to the life force. In Guardians of Being, Eckhart shows us the reconnect: “When you are present you can sense the spirit, the one consciousness, in every creature and love it as yourself.”

You’re a friend to the environment as well as animals. Why is this important to you? Why is it important for animals?

Doing a strip about animals reminds me that all life on this planet is fragile. More and more I became an environmentalist, and it was natural that I would create Mutts themes centered on the same. We all need to be more responsible when it comes to our environment.

When did you decide to become a cartoonist?

I wanted to be a cartoonist as far back as I can remember. I’ve always loved the simplicity, immediacy, intimacy and absurdity of the comic strip medium. From the start, I was enchanted by how a few simple pen-and-ink lines can come to life on the page, which is, for me, the magic of cartooning. Many great comic strips (such as Peanuts and Krazy Kat) spoke to me directly and I always wanted to give back some of the joy and comfort I found there. And, at its best, the humor and truth of a comic strip go beyond the obvious.

MUTTS, my comic strip about a dog, Earl, and his unlikely friend, a cat named Mooch, started in 1994. MUTTS focuses on experiencing the natural world (gentle rain, quiet flurries, full moons…) and that special bond that forms between companion animals and their guardians. My own Jack Russell Terrier, Earl, was my inspiration. Earl was my teacher; he constantly celebrated life. I tried my best to convey his joie de vivre and good-hearted spirit in my strip.

How does your work on books compare to your process producing a daily comic?

Books and comic strips are different mediums, but my books are in some ways similar to my comic strip. I’m still telling stories with words and pictures. But books allow me to expand artistically and to tell a longer, more formal, story.

Walk us through your creative process?

Making art can be a form of meditation. I start my day in the early morning by reading a passage or two from a spiritual book to keep my head and heart open. When it’s time to develop ideas, I sit in my drawing room with a sketch pad. The secret is to just get out of the way and let the ideas come. I really know my characters, so they tend to just write themselves to a certain extent. I know how they act. I put them in different situations and they usually come through for me. I am very fond of Mooch and Earl.

What was your initial inspiration for “Mutts”? Does that inspiration endure?

MUTTS is about my love for the art form of the comic strip, and it is also about my love for animals. I wanted to be a cartoonist since I was a child. In choosing this profession, I hoped to give back some of the happiness I experienced from reading my favorite strips (Peanuts, Krazy Kat, Popeye…).

My main inspiration for MUTTS was my own dog Earl, a Jack Russell Terrier. I’ve always felt that, if I could capture any of his joyful spirit on paper, I was doing my job.

Not only have my inspirations endured, but my love for both animals and the comic strip medium have grown exponentially since I started the strip.

Is there a life lesson we can take from all the animals we encounter?

Animals are living in the here and now. Our companion animals are not judging us, they are simply being with us. And they want to be with us. I think that’s what we refer to when we say “unconditional love.” If we ourselves could stop judging, and just be in the moment, we could all be at peace. Animals can be the portal.


About the Authors: Patrick McDonnell is the award-winning creator of the MUTTS comic strip, which appears in over 700 newspapers in 20 countries and has an estimated daily readership of 50 million, as well as the author and illustrator of the picture books The Gift of Nothing, Hug Time, and the upcoming October release, Wag! (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers). He lives in New Jersey. His website is www.muttscomics.com

Eckhart Tolle is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Power of Now (3 million copies sold) and A New Earth, the fastest-selling Oprah Book Club selection ever (5 million copies sold). He speaks and teaches extensively throughout the world. He lives in Vancouver, Canada and his website is
www.eckharttolle.com

Contest Winner! The winner of the Namaste Cozy from a previous review is scubagirl! Congratulations and please email me your mailing information so I can get this to you!

3 comments:

Allen and Linda Anderson said...

Hi Nicole--Great review of Eckhart Tolle and Patrick McDonnell's book. I just wanted to tell you about another animal book from the same publisher that's out this season. It's called Horses with a Mission: Extraordinary True Stories of Equine Service. I think you'd enjoy reading it because the book inspires people to find their true passion in life & discover that maybe a horse might be able to help them do what they love. horseswithamission.com

SissySees said...

Definitely sounds like a must-read!

Congrats to the winner.

Lapdog Creations said...

Allen & Linda- the Horse book is in my HUGE pile to be reviewed!

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