Sand Talk

How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World

By: Tyson Yunkaporta

Narrated by: Tyson Yunkaporta

Length: 7 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

A paradigm-shifting book in the vein of Sapiens that brings a crucial Indigenous perspective to historical and cultural issues of history, education, money, power, and sustainability - and offers a new template for living.

As an indigenous person, Tyson Yunkaporta looks at global systems from a unique perspective, one tied to the natural and spiritual world. In considering how contemporary life diverges from the pattern of creation, he raises important questions. How does this affect us? How can we do things differently?

In this thoughtful, culturally rich, mind-expanding book, he provides answers. Yunkaporta’s writing process begins with images. Honoring indigenous traditions, he makes carvings of what he wants to say, channeling his thoughts through symbols and diagrams rather than words. He yarns with people, looking for ways to connect images and stories with place and relationship to create a coherent world view, and he uses sand talk, the Aboriginal custom of drawing images on the ground to convey knowledge. 

In Sand Talk, he provides a new model for our everyday lives. Rich in ideas and inspiration, it explains how lines and symbols and shapes can help us make sense of the world. It’s about how we learn and how we remember. It’s about talking to everyone and listening carefully. It’s about finding different ways to look at things. Most of all it’s about a very special way of thinking, of learning to see from a native perspective, one that is spiritually and physically tied to the earth around us, and how it can save our world. 

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. 

©2020 Tyson Yunkaporta (P)2020 HarperAudio

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I am not sure what I expected, but it wasn't this. I tried to power through all of the metaphors and mystical dialogue, but it was too much for me.

Awe Inspiring

The author harnesses difficult to find authenticity and life experience to deliver a living transmission of indigenous wisdom. This book is so full of unique tools, fresh perspectives, and mind splitting humor while tackling a vastly difficult subject matter. I am going to read it again and attempt to assimilate as much as I can into my life. Thank you

Listen, don’t read

Audible is probably the best platform for this ‘book’/solid state yarn. It’s unlike any other literary work I’ve read or listened to. It’s uniquely Australian and there are far deeper ways of knowing and philosophy that I have been trying to tell people are the keys to actually living sustainably for the whole world. Tyson Yunkaporta does an amazing job of weaving different ideas together cohesively. Hopefully we can all act our way into a new way of thinking.

thank you

I will be listening for the stories and wisdom contained in my own hands, I will be communing with every physical aspect of my life differently now and listening with my whole body. This book is profound and I will be returning to it over and over again. A lover of language, I appreciate deeply how this book excites me to shape shift my own relationship with words. Oftentimes as a writer, I am frustrated around the limits and egregious disconnection the English language can provoke. This book is a call to expand my language, examine, question and shape shift metaphors that are perpetuating harm and to reconnect with myself and the earth through an interbeing way of thinking and living. Thank you thank you thank you Tyson Yunkaporta

Paradigm shifting thinking!

Great perennial wisdoms exhibited throughout. This book is reminds me of a spiritually rich version of 'Sapiens'. Undoubtedly, I will read or listen to this book a few more times. This book is loaded with insights and lessons, the final lesson at the end (Respect, ..., ..., ... {don't want to spoil} is one that will live with me!) It only looses a star for me because Tyson comes across as embittered and overly opinionated in several instances.

Great listen, better read

It was very well done for an audiobook, but think the experience would’ve been better by reading, to grasp the visuals and reflect more on the core ideas. Hope humanity can start listening, adapting and taking action to become better caretakers

Life altering read!

One of the most significant and profoundly meaningful books I've read. It holds the sacred wisdom to bring the planet and her people back into alignment. Tyson is brilliant!

Powerful

I will be reading it again. The book is a beautiful reminder how small we are in the great scheme of things, and how we became even more limited with, what today is generally defined as a progress. Mr. Yunkaporta awakes some long forgotten thoughts and takes us on a journey of symbols, all the way back when our immediate community made sense. This book remembers our states as humans before the systemic brainwashing through educational systems and by being presented only one of many true histories. While practically making a case for limitless powers of mind, Mr. Yunkaporta stretches a latent warning throughout the book: the progress might just be a thing that will cage us - in all senses.

Wow.

Best book I've spent my time on in a very long while. Thank you, Tyson!!!

Full eye opener

I found this book rich in so many ways...the author's capacity to bring wisdom from another dimension down to where the goats can eat it is exceptional. I had to repeat several chapters to make sure I grasped their import. He outlines the damage that limited thinking can cause and gives ways to view the same issue in an entirely new way that has the goal of harmony and sustainability in it's truest sense. Well done for making me sit up and listen!