Heart in the Wild: A Journey of Self-Discovery with Animals of the Wilderness

by Susan Chernak McElroy

In her bestselling Animals as Teachers and Healers, author and animal advocate Susan Chernak McElroy shared how her beloved animal companions guided and sustained her through her battle with advanced cancer. Twelve years later, when a fire ravaged her mountain home and reduced her emotional security to ashes, once again animals—wild animals this time—provided the guidance that helped her heal and grow through yet another catastropic life change.

Writing with a passionate love and respect for the natural world, McElroy invites us to walk with her along the ancient four-footed path that leads through transformation into wholeness. The rattlesnake coiled inches from her hand, the broken-winged hummingbird who sat on her finger and drank sugar water, the red fox and his Saint Bernard playmate—each becomes an incarnation of life-sustaining powers, teaching us better, healthier ways of being in the world. These true stories and a host of others speak to the necessity for ritual, the value of generosity, and how to deal with essential life changes by reconnecting to the earth and its rhythms.

McElroy documents rich insights that come from her animal kin—animals in the wild and those in the inner world of dreams and visions. A cougar and her cubs bring balance and harmony to the valley. . . . A friend’s chocolate Lab builds medicine wheels around his human companions, reminding them of the need for community. . . . A cow elk attacked by wolves faces her own mortality stoically, teaching us that endings of one kind herald beginnings of another.

But it was the magnificent six-pointed bull elk who ventured into McElroy’s world each day and reappeared in her dreams at night that led her on her most inspirited soul journey through homelessness, divorce, and the deep sense of disengagement that she had felt since cancer had tried to evict her from her body years before.

A powerful, beautifully written story of one woman’s journey of personal transition to a genuine sense of belonging in the world, the book ends exactly where it should—in a heartfelt sense of home on earth, a place big enough to welcome all life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Animals, Spirituality

272 pages, Hardcover

First published June 25, 2002

About the author

Teacher, master storyteller, and author of the classic New York Times Bestseller, Animals as Teachers and Healers: True Stories and Reflections, Susan Chernak McElroy's writings are published in more than twenty languages worldwide. She is a nationally recognized, passionate, and original voice on the subject of our emotional, biological, and sacred relationships with animals and wild nature.

Susan is a dynamic and gifted presenter, and a powerful catalyst for personal growth and change. A long term-survivor of advanced cancer, she speaks from a rich body of experience, reminding us that our evolutionary journey toward becoming more fully human beings has included thousands of years of intimate connection with animals and the living Earth.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words cannot express how much I needed to read this book right now; right at this moment when everything foundational in my life seems to be shifting and transitioning beneath me. At a time when I’ve started to feel as though I’ve lost myself- lost my soul- amid the madness and chaos of the choices I’ve made.

I’ve read two other books by McElroy, both of which were beautiful and inspiring. But neither of her previous books, nor any other book I’ve read in a long, long time, has hit quite this close to home. In Heart in the Wild, McElroy writes of loss, transition, and the human connection to Earth in a way that, for me, truly honors both what has been, and what is yet to come.

In writing about her own experiences, McElroy makes space for mourning, celebration, and a deep respect for mystery in the wake of difficult transitions and enormous life change. She brings readers back to a simpler, more truthful way of being and experiencing the world.

She touches my heart, and I thank her for the reminder that it’s there and beating.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned from this. I grew from this. I was confronted in the best ways. I found this gem at a thrift store and something beckoned me to it. I too am a person who feels the greatest love and peace, that of the natural world, is out of my reach. And the reading of this book has opened my eyes to see connections and beauty I couldn't see before. I asked my guides to show me what animal I am meant to learn from right now. And I have been seeing crows wherever I go. When I put my phone away and look up, there they are. In tremendous groups or on solitary peaks. I dream of great pools of water and dogs setting their boundaries with their teeth. The natural world was never as far away as I imagined it to be. Thankyou Susan.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by the author discussing endings and changes referencing wildlife. Good spiritual stuff.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspires reflection

[Jadi Kindred · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so impressed with this message that I started my book with a quote from her book.

[Robin Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Thanks Natashia I'll be passing it on.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound life teaching and lessons from our animal friends. Susan has communed and learned from them to pass these valuable nuggets on to us. Thank you!

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Heart in the Wild, the author describes how her connectedness to nature helped her through a transitonal and difficult time in her life. Her house burned down and her marriage fell apart during this time. As she worked to rebuild, she paid attention to the spirit messages sent to her through the wildlife she came in contact with, especially a bull elk that showed up in her dreams and in the yard of the house she was living in. I was hoping for something more from her writing, some deeper insight than was there in the telling of her story, but then, each of us is on our own journey and each of us must be open to our own spiritual messengers. I feel a kinship with the author because I too find that being in tune with nature is the door to spiritual growth and have had my own experiences with the animal relations speaking to my heart.

[John Orman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some tips come from this book, on how to form healing relationships with people and animals in the wonderful natural world.

Rattlesnake, hummingbird, red fox, and Saint Bernard all play some parts in McElroy's recovery from the pains of cancer, fiery destruction of her home, divorce, and sadness of loss.

The former Oregonian now living in Wyoming shows that the world is big enough for all living creatures--and all lifestyles!

[Luminea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very personal story of the author's emotional and spiritual journey following a fire that destroyed her home. As with her other books, she looks to animals to find meaning and guidance throughout her journey and delves in to great self-reflection and personal awareness. I always respect her unflinching way of examining her shadow self and not just focusing on the good and beautiful--but the more difficult and fearsome topics as well.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an unbelievable book for me as it spoke of a spiritual connection with animals. You know those books where you read a sentence and it stops you right there as you have to think about what you just read? This is one of those books.

[Leela Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been my bible for several years. It's a wonder to me that it hasn't had more attention.
The story, the writing, the wisdom are all profound and healing. I've read it twice through and will read it again.
Leela Francis
www.VividlyWoman.com

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful book that inspires reflection.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a fabulous book. Still good though. Still worth reading.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT BOOK. I will read it again!