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The Smell of Rain on Dust

Grief and Praise

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The Smell of Rain on Dust

By: Martín Prechtel
Narrated by: Martín Prechtel
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About this listen

 "Beautifully written and wise … [Martin Prechtel] offers stories that are precious and life-sustaining. Read carefully, and listen deeply."—Mary Oliver, National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize winner

Inspiring hope, solace, and courage in living through our losses, author Martín Prechtel, trained in the Tzutujil Maya shamanic tradition, shares profound insights on the relationship between grief and praise in our culture--how the inability that many of us have to grieve and weep properly for the dead is deeply linked with the inability to give praise for living. In modern society, grief is something that we usually experience in private, alone, and without the support of a community. Yet, as Prechtel says, "Grief expressed out loud for someone we have lost, or a country or home we have lost, is in itself the greatest praise we could ever give them. Grief is praise, because it is the natural way love honors what it misses."

Prechtel explains that the unexpressed grief prevalent in our society today is the reason for many of the social, cultural, and individual maladies that we are currently experiencing. According to Prechtel, "When you have two centuries of people who have not properly grieved the things that they have lost, the grief shows up as ghosts that inhabit their grandchildren." These "ghosts," he says, can also manifest as disease in the form of tumors, which the Maya refer to as "solidified tears," or in the form of behavioral issues and depression. He goes on to show how this collective, unexpressed energy is the long-held grief of our ancestors manifesting itself, and the work that can be done to liberate this energy so we can heal from the trauma of loss, war, and suffering.

At base, this "little book," as the author calls it, can be seen as a companion of encouragement, a little extra light for those deep and noble parts in all of us. Grief & Loss Mental Health Other Religions, Practices & Sacred Texts Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Spirituality Grief
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Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing truths such as these. Much needed medicine in the modern world.

Beautiful

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There is such truth and authenticity in what this man says. I loved listening to him but now I want the book as well, just go and reread my favourite bits which are the stories he tells.

Deep truth

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This is a rare precious thing. To have this book is one thing, but to have Martin read it is another. Truly healing, while also being funny.

Manna from Heaven

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I’ve never read a book and felt so nourished, it was as though I was eating every word and it was the most delicious meal

The real meaning of soul food

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I find it brilliant to listen to this book in Martín’s voice. It was a life changing book to read on paper and it takes on a new depth to hear it read by the author. Especially the story about Little Wetzak and Big Thunder. Thank you Martín for recording your voice to reach us across the globe at a time when we are unable to travel to your school.

Brilliant listening.

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