We have embarked on a magical journey with the hearts and minds of animal spirits. I can’t explain its how and why, but believe it is based on our natural connections. Many things we can’t see are real. Western society and the scientific way have taken much of what is magical away.
Modern day people, for the most part, have lost, forgotten or are unaware of our ability to communicate with living beings from our natural world. It is another symptom of contemporary man’s disassociation with nature. Egos, distractions, materialism, and greed have contributed to this sad separation.
But humans have communicated with animals for eons—not to do so is unnatural.
Consider the close attachment of shepherds to their dogs and flocks, of hunters with their hounds, of naturalists with their beloved subjects, circus trainers, zoo keepers and therapy pet owners — and the many patients they help. Think of the elderly with loyal pet companions, of Eskimos and their sled dogs, cowboys and their horses.
Animals help us reach deeper feelings and give us a fuller understanding of life. For Native Americans and other indigenous peoples, animals who are hunted receive respect and gratitude for offering their lives to nurture the tribe.
Primitive cultures surpass our understanding of the spiritual nature of all things. Think of early man’s worldwide cave art. Painting animals was a spiritual act and marked a major shift in early man’s spiritual and linguistic development. They knew what many have not yet awakened to: that we are connected and we flourish as one.
Now, with the wave of new healing energy, the practices and acts that revive these connections are widely available to those who seek them and whose lives are blessed and enriched.
So, open your mind to new possibilities and sources of knowledge you may not expect. If we’re open to the spirits of animals, I’ve discovered they are eager to connect.
I begin meditation with four deep breaths, raise my eyebrows as I breathe in then exhale as I lower them which helps my body fully relax. I go to a river or pond’s edge and stand in the water, feeling its coolness. I set my intention for further connection, then walk to the mound of tree branches and limbs. Down on my knees, I crawl into the den where to my amazement, Bear awaits me.
“Good morning, Bear. I am grateful to see you!”
“My pleasure,” Bear replies. “I look forward to our beneficial conversation.”
“I hope it is helpful for you as well.”
“Thank you, Jill. It is good to review these obstacles in life and how to overcome them with a higher vibration. You know your challenges are encountered by many, although the details may change with each human. Some obstacles are ours, too—animals living in your midst.”
“I am afraid most of your difficulties begin with the actions of us humans. I am very sorry for that.”
“Remember polarity and duality? These are constant occurrences for all beings. Weather has certainly altered our behavior and it will soon alter human beings’ too.”
“Long overdue!”
“But for today, let’s return to you. I hope you can see the health problems you’ve felt manifested so you can learn new lessons.”
“So many lessons at this time! I’d like to know just what they are so I won’t have to repeat them next time!”
“That is a wise perception,” Bear said.
“My eyes?” I asked, mystified by the frustrating condition of blepharospasm that has left me functionally blind at times.
“Eyes are how we perceive the world—for all creatures and humans we interact with. When our eyes are out of whack, what we see is misshapen too. Think of what you’d like to see and the dynamics that do not fit. Perhaps your eyes are protecting you from seeing undesirable reality. What would you like to change? Relationships, habits, experiences, feelings—these things do not have to be set in stone. They can be malleable and transformed, shape shifted into your dreamworld.
“Visualize every detail so no stone is left unturned. Uproot old behaviors and senses so new and better ones can bear fruit. What’s undesired? Take it out. Replace it with the behavior you want. The only obstacle is your mind’s eye. Meditation (or hibernation) provides the silence to quiet your mind and relieve the daily grind.
“Lift yourself up with pure thoughts, prayers and mantras that affirm your Being as part of the whole that connects us to Source.”
“What is Source to you, Bear?”
“Source is the Creator of every life form. Source is our guide in natural form—the whole of this world and other dimensions—we can’t imagine how great is our Source. Source is goodness, brotherhood and love.”
“Thank you, Bear. I treasure our time together. You are wise and teach life’s essence.”
“Thank you, Jill. Stay uplifted. Today is a gift—so go live your life!”
Marguerite Jill Dye is an artist and writer who divides her time between Vermont and Florida.
