To Hear The Forest Sing: some musings on the divine

such an interesting read!

I am so glad that I stumbled upon this book! I love, love, love it! It really resonated with me as I too "hear the forest sing", but from the back of a horse. So, although I highlighted most of the text, I'd probably pick the last sentence as my favorite passage as I also often find the experience very contemplative.

I have only read the prologue of “To Hear the Forest Sing,” and one essay, but am so taken with it, I’m sending in this review. I will update this once I’ve read further. First, the book is beautiful. Each chapter is introduced with tiny, exquisite illustrations of treasures Dulaney has found in her wooded walks (a feather, an acorn, an oak leaf). The painting on the cover is lovely, kind of sums up the feeling of the whole book. In reading this first essay, I recognized it as one I had heard on the author’s ‘spoken word’ website, Listen Well (which is how I found out about the book). She reads beautifully, and the music in the beginning and end of each essay is gorgeous. But reading the essay by myself was an entirely different experience–not better, just different. I was able to read at my own pace and really soak up her ideas. Mostly, I found myself rereading sections simply because they were so beautiful. She is a beautiful writer. Like the treasures she picks up during her wooded walks, she chooses her words with great care.I don’t submit reviews very often, but To Hear the Forest Sing moved me to do so.

The essays, which are stories, too, are personal yet universal. (I have seen her pterodactyl of terror.) They are lyrical and beautiful and funny. There are animals to love and cherish, and sometimes to grieve for, with her, with grace. Always grace. After getting this book, I immediately ordered her other book here, "The Parables of Sunlight." So much heart and soul and wisdom...and a podcast, too. Hear her podcasts at a place called ListenWell.

The title of this book looked so promising. And the reviews. But after reading the first chapter, my first thought was,”Maybe she needs an editor to polish up the writing.” Not on technicalities but the style. In the genre of memoir, a big turn-off is when your writing is all about YOU - your thoughts, your feelings, your verdict of a good life, your judgment on how all the other people are not empathetic etc.. Dulvaney did just that. In the entire book. She “has” wisdom, and her wisdom is about what SHE thinks, what SHE does, what SHE counsels, unlike the truly wise who embodies wisdom in the little “i” without so much ego in getting in the way. When I read Annie Dillard, I can connect and relate to her writing because she is always the observer describing experiences around her, and I am experiencing what she experienced through her eyes without so much of what her opinions are. There need no instructions, conclusions, or advice. The reader came away enlightened because she was “there” with the author and came away with her own understanding and wisdom.This book is not like that. Not collegial or very empathetic. I’m disappointed that I spent time finishing the book because I was hoping it will get better, which I knew it won’t after halfway through the first chapter.

I just finished this, book and already feel that I'd like to read it again to further digest any thoughts I might have. passed, by too quickly. I appreciated the author's love of nature and thoughts on spirituality.

What I find as I immerse myself in each chapter of To hear The Forest Sing is an invitation to experience my connection to spirit in its most organic form, not stuffed into a particular Sanskrit verse or in adherence to any list of Yamas or Niyamas. Striking me at the moment is Dulaney's observation.."We are probably the last ones to be able to measure our own worth. " Aaaah, sweet freedom. The author shares her many(extraordinary) life experiences with a light touch - funny, thought provoking, and often awe inspiring.I think I may learn how to pray again from reading this book. May it be the first of many volumes!

A beautiful book. Heartwarming, funny, sensitive and spiritual.Thank you Margaret for your words, thoughts and prayers.This is one that I will return to and read again.