Piece Comment

Review of Stephen Buhner - The Secret Teachings of Plants


This is an interview with author Stephen Buhner about the cognitive powers of the human heart, and it?s ability to perceive things that the brain cannot. While this should make for fascinating radio, several factors in this piece make it less satisfying than it could be. The interview is conducted over a poor phone line which at times makes it difficult to understand what Buhner is saying. This is a discussion about big and complex concepts, and every word counts. And because the topic is so cerebral, I found myself wishing that the interviewer had focused the discussion on one or two major points in the book, rather than trying to cover as much ground as she does. An occasional challenging question would have made the discussion more dramatic and lively. Despite these issues, Buhner comes through as a compelling thinker, and I find myself wanting to learn more about the concept of direct perception.