Nature Speaks, I Listen: Grasshopper's Path to Spirituality

Sheila Martindale is poetry editor of Canadian Author and Bookman and
the author of No Greater Love.

Nature Speaks, I Listen is the story of a spiritual journey that begins
with the death of the author’s friend and continues for five years.

In her journey, Marg Benson turns to aboriginal rituals and traditions
to discover the mystery of death and the meaning of life. She finds many
guides along the way, each of whom contributes something to her learning
process, until she herself becomes a guide for others in their personal
searches. The main theme is the natural world, and how every living
thing is connected in some way. By opening herself to nature and
becoming one with it, healing and a new awareness take place. This is no
haphazard affair, but a meticulous plan, with maps and tools. The author
takes us with her on every step of her way. It could be argued that
there are too many steps, that the details become repetitive, and that a
play-by-play account over such a long period tends to produce fatigue in
the reader. But Nature Speaks, I Listen is nonetheless a deep and
sincere account of personal growth and the attainment of inner peace,
which should appeal to native and non-Native readers alike. New Age
adherents will relate to Reike, currently in vogue as a way to channel
energy from the universe through our bodies. Those interested in
aboriginal cultures will enjoy the stories about vision quests, sweat
lodge ceremonies, and smudging.