Care And Feeding of Dragons by Ahnalira Koan

Care and Feeding of Dragons: Confession of a Diabetic: Beyond Law of Attraction to Align Within

by: Ahnalira Koan

Amazon Price: $10.95 (as of 05/30/2012)

Let's start with an important note that gives you some insight into where this book will take you: There is actually a second subtitle, "Beyond the Law of Attraction to Align Within." That better describes the overarching theme of this thrilling book. Koan moved on, after fourteen years of study with the law of attraction when personal experienced finally persuaded her that there must be more.

Koan's dragons are not the fire-breathing type we've all heard about, but more subtle and spiritually pervasive. They guide and strengthen her in a silent inner conversation. They urge her to listen and learn from all of her experiences, successes and failures.

If I had to pick a single exceptional thing about her, I'd have to pick her wide-ranging personal history, which she share generously and clearly.

In short, Ahnalira Koan has been a rough and tumble street kid, a Jungian therapist, a horse whisperer, a webmaster, a law of attraction forum manager, a trusted associate of Jerry and Esther Hicks, owner of a travel agency and, with her team, creator of smart phone applications in a business she and her husband own, Laughing Place Apps.

Her first near death experience occurred when her car smashed into a wall, depriving her of any signs of life for a clock time of nearly a minute. During that minute, Koan exited our three dimensions (like taking off an overly tight shoe), entering a space where spirits are free. She was not gone long enough to return with a basketful of details, but what she did have was a sense of something nonphysical of which we are all part, something that may matter more than anything we know in our daily lives.

This book is brief and loaded with insights and stories. She does not go into great detail, but lays down, in autobiographical detail, highlights that I hope she will convert into books of their own. Several certainly deserve book length treatment from someone who writes this well.

My inclination was to read the book slowly, piece by piece, because there was so much to digest. I didn't want such a sumptuous literary/spiritual meal to go down like a cheeseburger.

Here are my favorite highlights, although after reading the book I'm sure others will have favorites of their own:

The least dramatic and most intellectually appealing topic is about Koan's learning about the more intricate details of the law of attraction. She worked with Jerry and Esther Hicks for years and heard their version many times. Although she respected what they were teaching and their efforts to reach out to the public as teachers, she realized that their version left something important out.

The Hicks' teaching that hopping from happy thought to happy thought would deliver your dreams was too simplistic, a sort of spiritual cotton candy. And, of course, she could see, just as she had with her work as a Jungian therapist, that it wasn't really helping people get all the way to what they wanted. And just as she did with her professional work, she took what she knew was of valuable in it and kept looking.

Her conclusions about the importance of intention and faith are eye-opening.

A second topic that sent Koan off in a radical new direction was her experience with John of God, the healer guided by spirits at Casa de Dom Ignacio in Brazil. She went, not seeking healing for herself, but at the request of a friend who wanted her to come along as a sidekick and supporter. Nonetheless, an exposure she hadn't anticipated caused her to shed some spiritual baggage long overdo for shedding. She grew more enlightened and able to fullfil her own dreams (with which she was already doing well), but the commitment to truth cost her friends and relationships she may never recover.

That dramatic story continues as the first visit has lead to others. Koan has been enriched (and healed) through her experiences with John of God.

Finally, the most delight topic and the one that makes Ahnalira Koan's book a must read is the birth of Fancy Free. The story that precedes it will stop you in your tracks and force you to think about incredible possibilities. What follows is the utter delight of a filly with nothing in mind but joy and love.

Do not miss the story of Fancy Free or the rest of the book itself.

(For even more pleasure in enjoying this book, check out the title on Audible.com. In the audiobook, Koan does the reading and gives even more heft to her powerful voice.)