J. Allen Boone (1882–1965)

This book is obviously an extension of Boone's earlier work "Kinship With All Life", but it goes a bit more deeply into his subject. There are only a handful of "case stories", as in Kinship, but much more of his spiritual philosophy. Initially I found the book filled with tediously vague descriptions of attitudes and "feelings". However, with my own experiences inspired by "Kinship", I didn't want to dismiss this book merely because the English vocabulary doesn't have words for what he's trying to communicate. I also didn't want to denigrate his stories because I don't feel any particular resonance with phrases like "communicate through your heart". Maybe if Boone was more of a poet this book would be more "comprehensible"; but in any case, the basic idea does come through, in the end: if you think good thoughts, and assume good will, you will receive such in turn. Meanwhile, I won't fault Boone for ignoring how we must strengthen ourselves against those human types that are mired in self-aggrandizement and contempt for others; Boone's purpose for writing this book obviously was to emphasize the positive--it's our task to do the same by assuming the best in others (human or non-human), while not being surprised if we don't receive such in return. Sadly, from my point of view, what Boone left unsaid was that, by remaining positive, we will gain the strength to maintain this more useful positive attitude when we encounter the worst.… (mais)

As a person who has learned to communicate with the various dogs who have shared their lives with me, I was able to be open to the premise of this book. I was willing to accept the communication with the housefly, but that is probably the most unusual case of animal communication that I have ever read about. If one can accept the idea that each animal group is organized by a greater group Soul or Deva, then it is likely that there could be communication from one's own Soul level to the Soul entity embodying that group.… (mais)