Animals Teach Us About Spirituality

[Xavier]

I came across this sometime ago and thought I should probably post it here since there seems to be many people on this forum that really love animals. I personally am not really and animal person. Anyway I hope you all enjoy the article.

"Animals fully reveal to us what we already glimpse: it is feeling -- and the organization of feeling -- that forms the core of self. We also sense that through our relationship to animals we can recover that which is true within us and, through the discovery of that truth, find our spiritual direction. Quite simply, animals teach us about love: how to love, how to enjoy being loved, how loving itself is an activity that generates more love, radiating out and encompassing an ever larger circle of others. Animals propel us into an "economy of abundance."

They teach us the language of the spirit. Through our contact with animals we can learn to overcome the limits imposed by difference; we can reach beyond the walls we have erected between the mundane and the sacred. They can even help us stretch ourselves to discover new frontiers of consciousness. Animals cannot "talk" to us, but they can communicate with us and commune with us in a language that does not require words. They help us understand that words might even stand in the way."

http://www.innerself.com/Miscellaneous/animals.htm

[oblade oblada]

HEy,

       As I read this all I can think is it must be about dogs.  I can't see a bear in the forest teaching us much about love.    Unless a good mauling is feeling the love lol

[worgia]

Hi Xavier,

interesting link, the story about the whale made the hairs on my neck stand on end!

It is so true about animals. They open up a core love in us that humans cannot reach. They love us so unconditionally (well, as long as you feed them ) and all they want in return is your love.

A few years back I was having serious problems in my relationship and we hardly even communicated any more.
We got a cat (from his parents, he'd known her for 18 years) and I am still convinced now that she saved our relationship.
We suddenly started doing things together again, simple things like sitting on the sofa with little Wriggy in the middle. We'd talk to eachother through the cat; not because we didn't want to talk to eachother, but because she made everything more loving and the atmosphere was always sweet when she was around.

It is difficult to put into words what she did, but it was just by being and diverting our attention from eachother that she brought us back together again. 

And when things were good again she went off and curled up to die and was found by a neighbour. She was the cleverest cat I have ever met, and she could sense every emotion. If I was upset, she would follow me and just sit next to me, quietly, patiently, purring. And at night she would tuck me into bed and once I was asleep she would leave. Ah, what a lovely thing she was 

Love from Georgia xx 

[turtlegoddess]

HEy,

I can't see a bear in the forest teaching us much about love.   

LOL - I think the article is about domestic animals - ya know, pets! 

I know my animals "know" when I'm not feeling well,   they "know" when I'm upset - they are there for me when I need them and I don't even have to call them.

[jewels]

Such a great article.  I know my babies are always there for me.  I have learned so much from them and all they ask in return is a little attention and their basic needs met. 

I got my first cat when I was 16 and going through an abusive home life.  My pebbles changed my life, he was the one person i could count on.  ( I told my ex-husband that I would get rid of him before i got rid of pebbles, he he I still have my cat and Tim is way gone LOL).

Jewels

P.S. Gary: My totem is a bear and I've actually learned so much from him, I don't know where I'd be today without him.

[Humzzzzy]

Animals can learn you so much. I know animals prety well and i see how the react at emotions from people. I work a lot with animals  and Reiki and everytime when i treat an animal i learn something about that animal. It is so great to learn from them.

[Jenn]

Absolutely   Animals teach us more about them and about ourselves because we can't listen to them (they can't speak )

We have to feel more, put ourselves aside to experience a new thing that's not taught by voice or hearing.

Tis a good thing indeed

Psyjenn

[Humzzzzy]

Animals can speak to you Psyjenn  but not with words as we do. You can only hear and understand when you are listening and are willing to understand them. Every animal is using a different way to speak with you. Animals are speaking with there body and with sound.

For exampel

A happy dog is sometimes barking or jumping around happy

A scared dog will show you his teath and he wil do grrrrrrrrrrr. Another scared dog will put his staart betwine his legs and tries to make his self invisibel.

[Jenn]