The Wisdom Of Stones, by Brian W. Flynn
The expression ‘as dumb as a rock’ is insulting to certain elements of the planet that we live on and know so little about. So to many the ‘wisdom of stones’ may seem like an oxymoron. However, many cultures throughout history have spoken very highly of and about the ‘spirit’ of stones. They held/hold them in places of honor and regard them with great reverence. And stones have always seemed to call to me, so when I was offered the opportunity to do a review of a book called ‘The Wisdom Of Stones’ by Brian W. Flynn, I jumped at the opportunity.
Zen Absolutely Drips From The Wisdom Of Stones
My honest first impression of The Wisdom Of Stones happened before I’d even opened the parcel; based entirely on a lifetime of capitalist programming. Expecting a large volume, I was disappointed by the book’s small size – until I opened it. Immediately I was blown away by the quality, sentiment and visual impact. Brian’s found a way to photographically immerse the reader while using select verse to calm hearts and focus minds. Zen, which emphasizes the attainment of enlightenment, absolutely drips from this book as if its pages were over-saturated with the philosophies of the ages. Visually, The Wisdom Of Stones borders on irony, as the beauty of the photography excites the senses while the content causes a tsunamic slide into serenity and nostalgia.
The Stone Whisperer
I found The Wisdom Of Stones published proof that wonderful things come in small packages and that great thoughts are often best conveyed simply. Brian dedicates the book to the fine folks of beautiful Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada, where the photos were taken. Talking to us as if the stones themselves are speaking, Flynn’s given a voice to the voiceless and reveals the need we have to see the beauty we blindly ignore because of self-absorption and preoccupation. One thing’s for certain about this book, once you’ve journeyed through the pages of The Wisdom Of Stones, published by Sea Hill Press, Inc., you’ll never see the stones you encounter in your life quite the same way again.
Bookworm Rating:
The Wisdom Of Stones by Brian W. Flynn is available from Amazon
About Brian W. Flynn
Multiple award-winning photographer and psychologist, Brian Flynn, is the former Rear Admiral/Assistant Surgeon General for the U.S. Public Health Service. His career has been dealing with the individual and collective psychological impacts of large-scale events, such as disasters and terrorism. For the past thirty years he’s gone on-site immediately following most of the nation’s most tragic events. He’s currently an Associate Director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, at USUHS. He and his wife live both both near Annapolis, Maryland and on Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada.
Other Books By Brian W. Flynn:
The Voices Of Stones: On Loss And Hope
The Voices Of Fishermen On Superstitions
Book Review By: W. Lewis, Publisher of The Northern Star
