Book Review: New Planet; New World

Ian Prattis - New Planet, New World

An interesting book. It is book three of Ian Prattis' series of three.

I reviewed book #two,
Prattis; Trailing Sky Six Feathers  
and I really enjoyed it. This one, not quite so much.

I enjoyed its futuristic setting, as humans are transported to a distant planet. The far into the future technology was quite intriguing.  The high ideals, a more open and sharing community can enforce, is rather telling in this era, especially in the last week in US politics. Prattis posesses the ability to integrate his characters of different cultures and tribes, to support peoples of strong morals, values and ethics, in a good plot. He is well-traveled, a man who has explored various cultures, meditation and mindfulness.
I did find that the first chapters read like a YA novel, but once I entered into the book, I persevered and found it a good tale. Also, a strong moral compass for the future.

New Planet, New World transports you to a faraway world free of Earthly problems - or so it seems. Earth in the near future is dying due to Humankind's damage to the environment. Children are sent via spacecraft to a distant planet to escape Earth and restart Humanity. Red haired Catriona is astonished to find raven haired Rising Moon is already living on the planet - thanks to ancient shamanic means. A sharing of cultures-technologies ensues as they join other Earth refugees to form a new, sustainable, caring community - but can they withstand the dark threat of invaders from Earth bringing very Earthly traits of treachery, rape, power struggles and murder?

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@Barrie Summy

Book Review: Trailing Sky Six Feathers

www.ianprattis.com

I just finished this book late last night! With both the US and Canada facing issues of climate change ( and US Republican deniers), Loon Wolf violence, healthcare demands for more services and lower taxes (really), and world issues of refugees, I find the news dreary. It weighs heavily on the shoulders of those who cannot do anything about it.

The four colours of the
Medicine Wheel

This is a positive, uplifting book. I know that many of my blog pals would find it so.

With his education in various spiritual practices, and travels around the world, Prattis shares some of his meditation techniques. I have taken such training, but it truly failed to click. I may well order his Pine Gate Meditations CD. I've not heard of this man until they sent me a book for review, and I'm really glad they did. I lived 25 years in Ottawa and I know it has a strong spiritual community, despite Ottawa politics!

MedicineWheel

His travels and experiences are enthralling.  I did much research when I taught Native Studies to my gr. 6 students, but I learned much more about Aboriginal practices from the more southerly parts of the continent from this book. His Wolfie, a wild wolf he adopted from B.C. is a fascinating story.

Prattis has comforting words, as well as warnings. There are many who trod the earth, stepping on those of different cultures, and religions. There is much loathing out there, which diminishes us all. Aboriginal spirituality has always respected the earth, and the animals. This is where we must educate our ignorant humans about our Earth Mother.

"It will take mindfulness to wake people up from their amnesia, also smart discernment in order to step lightly on the planet. We have no alternative but to concentrate on sustainable living rather than greedily exploiting the spoils of perpetual economic growth. Profit cannot be the sole reason for commerce, there must be responsibility tied into the equation."

Indiana Jones meets The Buddha

“Our world has become an unpredictable beast that we fail to work with intelligently,” Prattis said. “We have to take back control of ourselves and this is a spiritual matter.”

About the Author

Smudging: feathers, sage, cedar,
gifts from our Native Elder friend

Dr. Ian Prattis is a poet, Professor Emeritus, founder of Friends For Peace and a spiritual warrior for planetary care and social justice. Ian now lives with his wife Carolyn in the west end of Ottawa where the  Pine Gate Mindfulness Community is located in the lower level of their home. Since retiring from Carleton University in 2007, he has authored four books on dharma, two on the environment, a novel and this legend/autobiographical combo and enjoys the freedom to create at his own pace. He has yet to discern the ordinary meaning of retirement.