When Australian farmer Michael Roads decided to write a book about his ever-deepening connection with the natural world, he sat on a riverbank and asked the river, rocks and plants for help. As Roads saw it, his dilemma was such: "Who will believe me if I present it the way it is happening… I cannot just write that I listen to trees and rocks and rivers, that I talk to them and they talk back into my mind." Despite Roads’ predicament, the river, rocks and trees continued to talk to him, and he continued to record their conversations. The various voices of nature told Roads that if they were to be involved in the book, they would like to present their own points of view. So began the first of many extraordinary talks between Roads and a good many other beings – a heron, a boulder, a jade plant, a waterfall, to name just a few.

Though self-doubts continued to plague Roads for some time, he persevered, talking to any aspect of nature whenever he could. As he continued to develop this relationship, he could not help from wondering: what exactly is the underlying link between humankind and nature?

As a Pine tree told Roads, "Your science has made great inroads in the study of plants and physical life forms, but in the more subtle regions of life–energy– consciousness so very little has been realized or recognized."

What the river, rocks and trees conveyed to Roads is that there really is no separation between ‘us’ and ‘them’ – no matter who we believe us and them is. As we begin to dissolve the boundaries that hold us in separation, we begin to open to a larger perspective, one that includes a more conscious understanding of the One in all things. At the core of talking with nature – be it through animals, plants, water or rocks – is the awakening of something extraordinary.

In this sequel, Roads continues to evolve his understanding of the natural world not only by talking to, but by ‘becoming’ or merging his consciousness with different aspects of Nature. Roads becomes water, mineral, plant and animal (and more) through a series of encounters designed to pierce through his sense of separation of self. Though he did not willingly embrace this movement from onlooker to participant at first (stubborn vestiges of self-doubt, fears and questioning of his sanity remained obstacles), Roads was guided – and goaded – through his encounters by the presence of the mythical god of nature, Pan himself.

As Pan tells Roads, "Most humans spend their lives trying to be somebody. It is a joke. Everybody is really no body. You are not a body, you are a Being with a vehicle called a body. You are All. That is who I am. Pan means All."

Both of these books focus on the intrinsic unity of all life, as perceived through the personal evolution and ever-deepening relationship of one man with the natural world. Written with an appreciative sense of wonder and a delightful sense of humor, each presents surprises, insights and engaging adventures on nearly every page.