Renowned cartoonist and creator of MUTTS comic strip Patrick McDonnell and spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle joined creative forces to bring us one of the most unique mindfulness books for children (and adults) titled Guardians of Being: Spiritual Teachings from Our Dogs and Cats.
“I was compelled to pick up The Power of Now when it first came out in 1999,” says Patrick McDonnell in an interview. “It just knocked me out and I was taken by its directness, its simplicity, and its deep truth.” What eventually inspired him to create the book was Eckhart’s photo with his dog Maya. McDonnell adds, “My wife and I went through all of his CDs, audiotapes, DVDs, and books and started compiling quotes that talked about nature. I put a few of them together with some of my cartoons.”
All of McDonnell’s comic strips have illustrations with text that is deceptively simple but deep. “I compare them to Haikus or poetry,” notes McDonnell, and this quality shines the most when his illustrations are coupled with Eckhart Tolle’s unforgettable quotes that remind us to stay present and appreciate small things in life. Take a look for yourself:
Compliment Guardians of Being with author Roxane Marie Galliez and illustrator Seng Soun Ratanavanh’s illustrated ode to attention as an essence of meditation.
[…] vital function that pets fulfill in this world hasn’t been fully recognized,” wrote spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle while praising our four-legged companions. “They keep millions of people sane. They have become Guardians of […]