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