I am not an animal communicator. However, I believe that you cannot spend time with animals and not communicate with them. In fact, even a change encounter with an animal can make a lasting impact on your life. I was walking one evening and suddenly felt myself turn around and go back the way I had come and look down into an open pipe. A turtle was trapped sideways by his shell and had called to me. I know that. It was as if a silent voice had reached into my very deepest self and pulled me back. As I touched this turtle, a sense of oneness enveloped me, this being and I suspended in time. I put the turtle down and as he went back to his journey, and I to mine, it felt as if I had been the one that had received a gift. It reminded me to be ever more aware and to listen, to be more watchful and live more in harmony with the earth and its beings that share this space. Whether I am riding a horse, kayaking with my dog or just hanging out with the dragonflies at the lake, I am reminded to be more in the moment. I don't want to ever pass up a lesson.
Communication between humans and animals may seem to be widening and seemingly less important in this day of modern science and technology. As many animals face extinction as their environment is taken over by urban society and man-made structures, there are those humans who value the lessons they have to teach us. Animals reach out to us in their songs, with their lessons of survival and value, in their beauty. Horses communicate to us with their trust in allowing humans to ride on their backs, dogs allow themselves to be domesticated and cats come down from their true royalty and allow themselves to be simply pets. We can honor them by not forfeiting the lessons they have to teach us.
True animal communication is being open to the wisdom of the species. Walking in awareness, living with all senses open and alive so when the opportunities offer themselves, we are ready. Open your minds, hearts, souls, spirits and bodies. Be an open channel of communication. You never know what incredible adventure awaits you.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Honor All Life
What if the value of your life was not measured by your accomplishments and deeds that are seen by man? What if, instead, integrity and meaning was measured by your actions when no one was watching. What if the true measure of man was in the value he created in the universe and creation was the audience that applauded?
Native and tribal teachings tell us that man was given the gift of compassion for all life and love for all creation. Was that before overpopulation, terrorism and pollution? Perhaps it was when man was given dominion over the earth and the animals, and some began to exploit and dishonor them, that the decline of man began. Albert Sweitzer said, "Until man extends his circle of love and compassion to include ALL living things, man himself would never find peace." Are we seeing that to be true in today’s society, as we remove ourselves further and further from the natural and the way our Creator intended us to live.
You can choose to participate more fully in your life. You can choose by opening your eyes, ears and heart to the earth's voice. All life vibrates with energy. Colors radiate with therapeutic and healing waves through your eyes and are absorbed through your skin. Animals speak as you walk by, trees whisper above you, creeks whisper for your attention, the sunset beacons you to be still in its majestic setting. The universe pours out its treasures. The smallest living cell can teach the biggest lesson. Their very presence in life brings you closer to penetrating the thin veil that so often seems to separate you from your very self and the life that surrounds you every second. When God created the earth, he created it for man’s pleasure and each thing was of beauty and dignity.
By honoring yourself, you will come to gain knowledge, wisdom, enlightenment and the power to act. Like dipping a pebble into the pond of your soul, the ripples reach far into the universal pool of life. Your presence here at this time on earth will be enriched beyond belief when you look into your heart and realize that God has been residing there.
Take heed in the lessons you have at your fingertips. Your existence on this planet is not idle. Honor yourself by honoring all living things.
Native and tribal teachings tell us that man was given the gift of compassion for all life and love for all creation. Was that before overpopulation, terrorism and pollution? Perhaps it was when man was given dominion over the earth and the animals, and some began to exploit and dishonor them, that the decline of man began. Albert Sweitzer said, "Until man extends his circle of love and compassion to include ALL living things, man himself would never find peace." Are we seeing that to be true in today’s society, as we remove ourselves further and further from the natural and the way our Creator intended us to live.
You can choose to participate more fully in your life. You can choose by opening your eyes, ears and heart to the earth's voice. All life vibrates with energy. Colors radiate with therapeutic and healing waves through your eyes and are absorbed through your skin. Animals speak as you walk by, trees whisper above you, creeks whisper for your attention, the sunset beacons you to be still in its majestic setting. The universe pours out its treasures. The smallest living cell can teach the biggest lesson. Their very presence in life brings you closer to penetrating the thin veil that so often seems to separate you from your very self and the life that surrounds you every second. When God created the earth, he created it for man’s pleasure and each thing was of beauty and dignity.
By honoring yourself, you will come to gain knowledge, wisdom, enlightenment and the power to act. Like dipping a pebble into the pond of your soul, the ripples reach far into the universal pool of life. Your presence here at this time on earth will be enriched beyond belief when you look into your heart and realize that God has been residing there.
Take heed in the lessons you have at your fingertips. Your existence on this planet is not idle. Honor yourself by honoring all living things.
Monday, May 26, 2008
How Do We Really See Animals?
Encounters between man and animal have always been transformational. Scientists can only speculate with their finite minds the first meeting between humans and other species. We can only imagine. Also, the definition of the word animal has become unclear as to what species it is referring to. In many cultures, humans and animals were given interchangeable physical, mental, emotional and spiritual traits. It is very clear that behavioral traits are certainly shared as well.
For those who work with animals in a healing and spiritual world, things that many consider to be supernatural, mysterious or even ridiculous are actually natural processes. Animals can be as mirrors to our deepest, inner souls. You cannot truly be around and interact with animals and not be changed in some profound way.
Animals have lived side by side with man in every age, culture, change, crisis, war and environmental process. They have been honored, idolized, worshipped, eaten, neglected, abused and feared. They have carried man to battle, carried his burdens, moved entire countries, been his best friend, protected his family and gone into battle with his master. Horses and dogs were trained as soldiers and in many cultures had their own physicians. They slept side by side with their masters in the warmth of tents, drank from the milk of yaaks with their masters’ children and were accorded the highest honor in death. The highest honor for a warrior was to cut off the head of his opponent's warhorse. And, who are we to say that a mother snake does not coil around her babies with the same care and love that a human mother holds her child?
Humans seem to have to name and label things in order to be able to deal with them. What folder do you file the love that passes between a man's hand on the head of his dog at the end of the day? Or, which computer chip holds the predator and prey relationship of survival?
Life holds such wonder with our animals and the things they have to teach us. This is not in the laboratory where nameless torture of animals is conducted in the name of science, or in the name of beauty. Tests done on animals that don't even have the same cellular response as humans. Some say these are just animals. What have you heard about the cells of Iraq that have given up their horror stories about atrocities committed on humans. Who are the animals? It is confusing, is it not? Human or animal? Yet, we have such fascination of the great white shark that many think they should all be killed. But, the whales and dolphins that have given us so much. What of them?
Does it not give us food for thought? Are we not responsible for thinking about dominion over the animals? Dominion means to care for, a partnership. As we give more of our freedom over to this more modern life and our land and resources dwindle, we all suffer. As we learn to live a more holistic way of life even in this conventional moment, we can bring this to the animals as well.
We can learn to push the boundaries by increasing our awareness and spirituality. Breathe and spend time with animals. Learn about your environment and even the smallest things you can do to bring about change. It's like dropping a pebble into a still pond, the ripples reaching so far you may never see. But, changes they will make. And, the change to your heart will empower you forever.
Bennie Jean Kuehnle
The Animal Institute of Holistic Healthä
5/1/2008
For those who work with animals in a healing and spiritual world, things that many consider to be supernatural, mysterious or even ridiculous are actually natural processes. Animals can be as mirrors to our deepest, inner souls. You cannot truly be around and interact with animals and not be changed in some profound way.
Animals have lived side by side with man in every age, culture, change, crisis, war and environmental process. They have been honored, idolized, worshipped, eaten, neglected, abused and feared. They have carried man to battle, carried his burdens, moved entire countries, been his best friend, protected his family and gone into battle with his master. Horses and dogs were trained as soldiers and in many cultures had their own physicians. They slept side by side with their masters in the warmth of tents, drank from the milk of yaaks with their masters’ children and were accorded the highest honor in death. The highest honor for a warrior was to cut off the head of his opponent's warhorse. And, who are we to say that a mother snake does not coil around her babies with the same care and love that a human mother holds her child?
Humans seem to have to name and label things in order to be able to deal with them. What folder do you file the love that passes between a man's hand on the head of his dog at the end of the day? Or, which computer chip holds the predator and prey relationship of survival?
Life holds such wonder with our animals and the things they have to teach us. This is not in the laboratory where nameless torture of animals is conducted in the name of science, or in the name of beauty. Tests done on animals that don't even have the same cellular response as humans. Some say these are just animals. What have you heard about the cells of Iraq that have given up their horror stories about atrocities committed on humans. Who are the animals? It is confusing, is it not? Human or animal? Yet, we have such fascination of the great white shark that many think they should all be killed. But, the whales and dolphins that have given us so much. What of them?
Does it not give us food for thought? Are we not responsible for thinking about dominion over the animals? Dominion means to care for, a partnership. As we give more of our freedom over to this more modern life and our land and resources dwindle, we all suffer. As we learn to live a more holistic way of life even in this conventional moment, we can bring this to the animals as well.
We can learn to push the boundaries by increasing our awareness and spirituality. Breathe and spend time with animals. Learn about your environment and even the smallest things you can do to bring about change. It's like dropping a pebble into a still pond, the ripples reaching so far you may never see. But, changes they will make. And, the change to your heart will empower you forever.
Bennie Jean Kuehnle
The Animal Institute of Holistic Healthä
5/1/2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
IAATH Website
We have been very busy over at the IAATH website. We will be using this blog as a forum for comments until we get our regular forum on our site. Please feel free to add comments and posts. Bennie Jean Kuehnle
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