The Birds in My Life: A Review
Do animals have a soul? Are they capable of love?
Have you ever wondered if animals have a soul? If you could speak and understand their language, what would they say? If you could hear their heart beats in harmony with the universe, would it change your life forever?
Who would have thought that birds can be poets? Read this poem written by Laguna, a macaw in the book The Birds in My Life, a #1 best seller on Amazon.com:
People call Her Supreme Master Ching Hai
Because She comes from the Most High.
But She is our loving Mom
We winged children know Her by.
Her hair is like golden feathers,
Her voice chimes like a bird’s.
When She sings us lullabies,
The music lifts us to the highest heavenly worlds.
She comes from a place full of light,
And She brings it to earth for our great delight.
Our house is full of love,
Lots of laughter, good food and sunshine from above.
She is the colors of the rainbow,
The fragrance of a flower.
She is the blessing rain,
The softness of the summer hour.
She is the universe we know so well,
Resting in Her bosom we will never all.
How can we leave east, west, north and south?
She is them all!
And She is our Mom, above all!!!
It isn’t just the poem that would move and touch your heart – it was everything about the book – the content, the colorful pages, the characters, the gentle poetic rhythm, and the hidden messages.
There is also a certain magical quality about it once you begin to flip through the pages. The Birds in My Life is a book about 24 birds that have been adopted and rescued by Supreme Master Ching Hai, a humanitarian, artist, writer, and spiritual guru. Through the colorful and vibrant pages, the life story, the thoughts, and the heart of each bird are revealed. They each have their own name, an adorable personality, and feelings and thoughts that are so very human. And oftentimes, their story will move you to tears.
Take the story of Azure, a tiny little bird that loves her human Mom absolutely. On one occasion she could not be taken with Supreme Master Ching Hai on her travels. Missing her human Mom so much, Azure plucked her feathers! Even after the reunion with the author, Azure didn’t want those feathers to grow back, “she plucks them as soon as they appear, maybe to remind me never to leave her again!” Heartwarmingly, through the pages of the book, we get to “hear” the inner thoughts of this loving bird:
I, Azure the beauty
Accept your bouquet and apology
I love you too much
To ever hold a grudge. (page 40)
One is never alone anyway:
There’s always flowers and trees,
And sun, and moon, and stars for company!
And above all: her love,
My human friend’s loyalty.
The “real face of yesterday” … (page 53)
Then there is the story of Cheery, a hawk head who was too old to be sold at the pet store, doomed to a caged life “just to make a shop looks like plenty.” She had a friend who was sold and was left all alone, heartbroken, until Supreme Master Ching Hai came and brought her home. In the words of the author:
I named her Cheery in the hope of cheering her up. She got better each day with TLC. She loves to lie on her back and let you play around, tickling her wings, scratching her tummy…. She loves to “help me” clean up the dried leaves from the trees by chewing them off. Feeling proud doing her job every time!”
How can one not be moved by these stories? Any one of us can empathize with the feelings of rejection, abandonment, and lost love, and the courage that comes from the struggle to continue on, to make the best with what life has to offer. Such tiny frames, yet so humanlike!
Have you ever wished that you have psychic power in order to improve your life? At one time or another, all of us wish that we can read the minds of our loved ones and others so we can solve problems peacefully. Well, animals are psychic beings! According to the author, one of the birds, Rainbow, is the most psychic of all. He tells her many useful things, including information about the flock. How marvelous! Animals are truly friends and helpers of human beings.
They have so much love in their tiny little bodies. Take Gentino, a Molucan cockatoo, for example. When he was given away by his former human “parent,” Gentino became very sad, but he also knew he was not wanted anymore. With his courageous little heart, he learns to love again and to express his affection for his new human Mom, “Whenever my car comes home, no matter how late, he is the first to say, ‘Hallo,’ ‘How are you,’ ‘I love you,’ ‘Come here.’” And he has such a hilariously adorable personality – he loves dog! He loves to kiss them, “comb” their hair, and chases after them, cooing, “Come here, wou wou, good boy, good boy.”
How can we say animals don’t have a soul? They probably have more love than most humans, a love that sees no boundaries or limitations between species, a love that is given freely and generously. Take Luvy, a bird that always has a sunny disposition and always expresses his love by saying, “I love you” to his human Mom, kissing her all the time, and displaying his joy and appreciation for every little thing. Even the coldest of human hearts would be melted by this open and unconditional display of love and affection. We can even identify with the fear, desperation, and courage that Luvy has after experiencing a traumatic experience:
One day while he was in a covered terrace, somehow he landed on the floor, and separated by a curtain, he couldn’t get out. But he stayed there and talk to himself, as if to keep calm while the wind kept beating the curtain against his head, till I heard and found him!
Then he clung to my finger desperately, and said non-stop: “I love you, I love you, I love you”…..
I placed him onto my chest and caressed him, he became still and drifted into his dream soon after.
What amazing strength of character, and how incredibly lovable. How many of us could survive an ordeal like that, staying calm in the face of such a terrifying experience? Imagine being stuck on an overhang of a cliff with the possibility of never being found? How can we, as readers, not be moved by his fortitude?
As human beings, we know how precious it is to have a loving family who loves us unconditionally. Some of us also know what it feels like to be abandoned and cast out, rejected by those whom we love most. The feelings of betrayal, the depression, and the mind-numbing disbelief and self hatred that is no fault of our own. In the world of birds, it’s no different. When we come upon the story of Sunny, a blue and gold macaw, we can’t help but cry for his fate, and thank God that he finally recovered and have a loving family he truly deserves. Sunny was sold to the author because his former Mom and Dad didn’t have time for him anymore. Heartbroken, he had a hard time adapting to his new home and environment. He cried a lot and refused to eat. When he saw that his former cage that was brought back in the hope of making him feel better, he screamed in anguish, “Dad, Dad!” My God! How can we not shed tears seeing his plight like this!
One day I told him after so much effort of trying to console him without success: “Stop it! That family didn’t want you. That’s why you are here!” – At this remark, he cried heartbrokenly. I was so sorry, I cried so much too, and apologized profusely.
It was unconditional love that finally healed his wounds. Now, Sunny is happy and knows that he is truly loved.
The Birds in My Life will make you experience a whole range of emotions. It will make you smile, laugh, and cry. It touches your heart in so many different ways. Though it is written very simply, The Birds in My Life conveys some profound concepts. Throughout the book, we feel and experience the message of love: the love for God, the love between species, and the love beyond the limitations of the physical frame, one that sees only the love inside each individual being. On each page is the message of peaceful coexistence, a message of sharing, and loving kindness. There seems to be an indescribable sense of joy for the natural world, and a deep respect for the life of every living being. It is a book that speaks to the inner heart of every human being, one that appeals to our noble virtues.
The Birds in My Life is a must read, and it’s suitable for all ages. And to borrow the words of the author, The Birds in My Life will adorn your face with smiles and brighten your daily coexistence with the world.
Liked it
This book is ’special ‘ beyond words. As you go through the pages you feel you have been transported to another world, one full of love, understanding, color and beauty. Supreme Master Ching Hai introduces the reader to the seldom known world of animal communication and we learn that these beautiful beings have characters and they are all here to make ours lives full and beautiful. The sadness they feel and express when she has to go away is so touching, and the love they show her on her return makes your heart burst with love for them. We are truly privileged to have these books, and thank the author Supreme Master Ching Hai for sharing them with us all.
WOW what an amazing book. It will definitely be on my Christmas list this year.
So beautiful and magical, the pages are filled with love and life! definitely a must have!
and would be a perfect gift for kids and adults alike.
This book is a real gem, so wonderful and enjoyable for the whole family to read. One in a treasured collection of beautiful others, namely, “The Dogs in My Life, and “The Noble Wilds”
I do like birds a good deal although I do not have any that I have such close relationships with.
This book is truly magical. It took me to a space that I believed was real only in my childhood. If you allow yourself to be taken by its Love, simplicity and innocence you are in for an unforgettable ride. It can change your perspective on Life and the way you see the animals for ever! Just go with it!
This book opened me a gate to a interesting, noble feather animal’s world. Suddenly found the world is much more beautiful when you looked at it through different eyes of other beings.
The best book ever for bird lovers and is great for all the family to. Its full of colour and the love from the birds shines through.
There are no word to describe such an amazing book, along with “The Dogs in My Life” and “The Noble Wilds”
Does anyone need anymore proof that they are just like us?
the best book I have ever had!
It’s really an amazing book, full of color and life. The Supreme Master Ching Hai gives us a real glimpse of the inner lives of these nobel beings!
Makes me want to check out the book.
I never though birds could be so human like.
So thank you for this new perspective.
Mmmm if they do have souls… then it’s so sad we … eat them
a book radiant with life, love and beauty!
I just love this book – it is the most amazing, heartwarming and touching book that I have ever come across!!!
This book, with its radiant pictures and amazing subjects, offers such a wonderful view into the life of some of our winged friends. Who doesn’t like birds? And after reading this book, you’ll love ‘em! Heartfelt thanks to the author for giving us this unique opportunity to know more about these precious creatures.
This book goes so deep! It soothes the troubled heart and mind.
It is a real ‘love potion’ for everyone, young and old. Try it and you will see.
the book really wonderful and beautiful.
i am deeply love it.it let me know the animals are all equality and full love with them that is us need learn from them
I love ” The dogs of my life” “The birds of my life” and “The Noble Wilds”. They are so beautiful.
This book is very good for young children to inspire them to be peaceful, very comforting. It is very soothing for night time.
This book is very colorful. I love this book a lot. I read this book to my nephew for his bed time story and he loves it.
Also I gave them to my co-workers as presents. Their children love it very much. They read the books all the time.
I like the white bird. Such a lovely book to have !
An excellent review for a wonderful and eye-opener book…
After reading this book, you’ll see the birds (and all animals) differently. They are really here to beautify the world. Many thanks to the author (and the Birds!)…
I just found this book into French: http://noblecreations.fr/
Good job! Thank you Mother Nature
comment leur faire du mal apres avoir lu ce livre!! ce livre ne peut qu ouvrir les ames a avoir une nourriture vegetalienne!!encore merci MAITRE CHING HAI pour nous donner l envie d une vie plus noble;;;; soeur initiee ANY
This book is the best gift of Supreme Master Ching Hai for this world. It is an excellent enlightenment for the human beings to know that all the animals have a soul like us and they can feel also what is the true love.
This book is really awakening ! Seem we’ve come back to the ancient times, those related in the tales, where it was just natural to talk with animals … and where they are standing by the humans to warn them and help them ! The Supreme Master Ching Hai makes these legends live again ! Our heartfelt gratitude and may these wonderful pieces of art as well as the testimony of the reality of the great soul of our animal friends be known by each person on earth !
I’ve sent this books as gifts to Nursing Homes. They sent me letter saying thank you so much because their elderly residents used to have birds like those and they were missing their birds very much. So they were very pleased to see the beautiful and lively birds pictures in the book as well as very touched by the birds’stories.
I also sent the books to Children Hospitals. They sent Thank You cards to me expressing appreciation for their children patients who loved birds very much and liked the stories a lot.
What a beautiful book! The relationship between Supreme Master Ching Hai and her wonderful birds brings such warmth and love to the reader. You can’t help but smile when reading this book as the stories are just so touching. Thanks to the author for a truly lovely book.
Wow! Wonderful!
Why aren’t there more books like this?!
Soooooooo colourful and bright.. truly this book is a rainbow on a rainy day, the thril of fireworks bursting the cover open again and again
Every picture is a prayer without words ~ Nature’s Soul revealed like never before
They are very beautiful creatures and do have love and emotion. Human being should confront this fact and treat them kind. This book is very nice to view how pretty our bird friends are.
That’s a really nice book, touching and full of compassion.
So much love and kindness!
I visited amazon.com just now, and watched the video here http://www.amazon.com/gp/blog/A2NAAHPJ9MC0IT/ref=cm_blog_dp_artist_blog. It shows the author and her birds,and her dogs as well. The video looks interesting and beautiful. I mean the birds in the video, they ARE beautiful, more than that, I see the relationship and interactions between the author and her birds are even more beautiful, so I assume this book IS a wonderful book.
This is a most precious book, the birds are angels here to bring us there love and wisdom. Each animal that comes to us brings us something although we may not see it. This book will touch your heart with all their love and happiness. When i first looked at the book i felt calm, and peace and joy flowing from every page. Even if your not into birds this is a book you should have in your collection. Thank you Supreme Master Ching Hai and the benevolant birds for your sharing love and wisdom.
ENCHANTING!!! A real life fairy tale. Visitors to our house can’t take their eyes off it – it’s so peaceful & beautiful. Thank You to Supreme Master Ching Hai & Your Divine feathered friends 0:)x
Thank you very much Supreme Master Ching Hai to remind the world that we can enjoy life with our animal friends and share their knowledge, with this beautiful book.
This book opened my horizon into a vast view of birds and animals’ world, many thanks to the author for sharing these incredible experiences with us. Now I will get my friends and their families to enjoy these books too!
wowwww. You know that since I read this book… I feel myself more compassionate. And I’m pretty sure, birds do feel it. They don’t fly away when I’m coming near them and I’m discovering so much love in their eyes
Tks, Supreme Master Ching Hai for this wonderful gift to the world