SPIRITUAL ANIMALS ~ an experiment

[cyberangel]

Hi Friends,

I would like to do another observation experiment if you would like to take part.

There are so many different animals in nature, each in my opinion, is as special and unique as us human animals.

1st part: If you had to pick one animal (any species of animal) that to you portrays a spiritual nature, which animal would you choose? And, what qualities do you think you could aspire to develop from your chosen animal.

2nd part A: Now if you live near your chosen animal I want you to study it (safely). Take in all its characteristics, and please share what you have discovered about your animal of choice. Please do this with respect to the animal and its environment, do not interact with it except of course on a spiritual level

2nd part B: If you do not live near your chosen animal then please use all the resources available to you via internet, library, magazines, documentaries etc. Study your animal in depth and see what you can discover. Become akin to your animal of choice’s spiritual nature and see how you develop or change as a result.

Finally I think this is a fun experiment to do and will hopefully stir something within each of us that connects us more to the animal kingdom’s spiritual nature. I truly feel they can teach us all something of value if we truly take the time to make the connection. I also think that by sharing our observations that we will also learn collectively as a group, about other animals’ spiritual qualities.

Also if two or more people happen to pick the same animal it will be interesting to see each person’s perception of their spiritual animal. I hope you will enjoy this and take part. I look forward to reading and sharing our discoveries.

Love and Light

[donq]

Hi Angel,

I used to raise a squirrel. He (hmm…maybe she, still don’t know) was so funny.
I like to watch when he was eating/sleeping. When he ate,
he used his two hands…urh…front feet to hold his food.
And when he was sleeping, he had to sleep in his dark bedroom I made for him.
He really wanted his privacy. If I looked at him, he would use those pieces of cloth in his bedroom
to cover his door. Hahaha!
What did he teach me?
Hmm…two important things:
1. Do not interrupt any squirrel when they are sleeping. :-)
2. (Seriously now) I had to let him go. (And I already did.)
Some animal is not pet to live in a cage (even I bought a bigger and biggest case for him
when he was growing up.)
They will live happily, naturally and freely out there, in the open air, on a tree, ever after.

[cyberangel]

Thank you Monty for your post.

I really like squirrels (and foxes) although many here see them as pests, but I like them. Unfortunately where I live there are not many squirrels plenty of foxes though LOL. I really liked that you freed him/her as some are best left to live freely and cannot be domesticated anyway, as you found out. I don't like to see any animal caged and I feel if it needs to be caged then it is not to be kept. That is why I no longer like zoo's although I know some of them are trying to preserve certain species of animals but others are so cruel and the public have no idea of the extent of their cruelty that goes on within them cages. Anyway we wont dwell on that, that is a whole other matter.

So what have I learnt from your post on squirrels...well I like the way they appear to be private creatures, I never thought of them like that before, that they would want privacy. I wonder what was the reason for this? Is it that they feel more protected or that they need a place to feel at peace in. Who knows? but I will certainly be more wary of animals needing their private space from now on I suppose when you think about it we, human animals, don't like to be stared at so why would other species be any different. An interesting perspective Monty and I thank you. You have given me food for thought

Love and Light

[donq]

Hi angel,

Thanks for saving me (my face.) hahaha!
I was worrying about the word I used, “cage.” Because cage should not be a case (of animal) in any case. So let me explain a bit.
That time I had less/no choice, as I lived in a small room. There was no space enough for a cat, so not to mention about a dog. Besides, I was told that there was a squirrel fell down from the tenth floor’s window of the same building of mine!
Let me add more about what I learnt from my squirrel. As I came from Buddhist tradition, I was taught about “letting go.” I had so many excuses for myself not to let him go: could he be survive by himself? (because he never lived alone at all before that time) And those electric wires looked terrible and so dangerous etc.
I had to try so hard to fight with those thoughts in my mind. It was only my “clinging” to him, to what I loved. It was only my selfish not to let him go. Remember the sad scene in the romantic movie? He left me as if what happened in that slow motion scene. :-)
No matter how much I worried about him, I knew that he would be more happy than living with me. Yes, maybe more struggling and hunger (because lacking of food) but he would be happy about his “freedom” for sure. So letting him go was not only for him but for me, too (to overcome my selfish/ego.)
This is one thing that every Buddhist has to practice (preparing in advance.) Because one day, everything and everyone we know and love will be gone away from us (or vice versa.) It is the way it is, naturally and inevitably.

[cyberangel]

Hi folks

I came across this on youtube and thought it was amazing to watch, so I knew I had to share it with you all. I think it is the most beautiful thing...oh we can learn so much from animals...they are amazing! enjoy



Love and Light

[donq]

Hi angel,

Good one! Yes, I saw sometimes even cat and dog are friends.

But don't know why I still have an ill imagination (if these two ducks were human) :-)

Duck 1, "Honey, did those human leave us?"
Duck 2, "Not yet, why?"
Duck 1, "Don't know why I really like to eat fish steak for our dinner!"lol

[cyberangel]

Hi Monty,

You make a very good point even if made in jest

How many humans go for Sunday walks with bread in bags to feed the ducks and then 'possibly' return home to tuck into a roast 'bird' dinner?

Love and Light

PS. I don't want to come across as judging anyone for their chosen diet either but more trying to make a point how humans can become desensitised without them necessarily realising.

[donq]

Hi angel,

Don’t worry. Everyone knows that you mean no harm.
I jested that because I was thinking about some hypocrites I used to meet. Short version here is…they would donate ONLY in front of a camera so that they would be on the news (That time I worked as a volunteer for Poverty Children foundation (NGO). My friends and I had to wait for 3 hours before that reporter came) hahaha!
Animal doesn’t pretend. Only human does. :-)

[donq]

oh! Just realized that i was wrong about some animal.
Crog can pretend to be dead to lure its food. :-)