John’s Sunday Blog

Furry Friends or Greatest Teachers

An animal, pet, if you will, is a diminutive title for what may be your greatest teacher or even spiritual guide. Yes, there are those who see these beings as a possession or entertainment, yet, when looking deeper into this relationship, and honoring it, one might see the huge lessons they teach us, with consistency. A consistency comparable to saints, hero’s, and legendary truth speakers of history.

LOVE

Let’s break down what is going on with our “teachers”. We will start with LOVE. Mysteriously when you chose your teacher, who chose who? If one can consciously remember who was most open and present? WHO?…was all in, from the start, not considering futures and schedules, and sacrifices, relationships may offer? THEY, were ALL IN. And guess what? THEY, still are. THEY have taught you, without fail, moment to moment, to be all in, as well. Notice how over time with their consistent love, your love has flowered in the consideration of their well being. They are natural healers detecting illnesses and emotional disturbances before humans can. If you watch their subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) cues, they will bring you out of a busy mind, enter the present, and connect. Could love, on the relationship level, simply be finding someone to play, or cry, and be with under any circumstance, with pure acceptance? And embracing it all, good or bad. Maybe, but who is better able to do that?

Presence

Given that these little beings know when we’re happy or sad, our energy level, and so on… How then, with such a small brain, are they able to do feats, such as this, with that small operating system (brain)? It’s not about brains. It’s about being-ness. The beings-ness in all living things. Do these creatures, dogs, cats, birds, etc. know that THEY are a dog, cat, bird, etc? No, they just be, as they are, without a cloak of intellect judging everyone and everything. They notice energetic balance on all levels. More connected to nature and following its laws, except when WE make them break those laws. They give by completely giving themselves, for no reason, to the moment; if you’re in front of them, you, are the moment. Even an independent cat will place themselves in plain view, just so you know that we’re in this together. When a pet passes, a heart wrenching experience, what is it we mourn? It’s not their name and body so much as their being, which they shone on you like a spotlight all their days. Naturally meditative, they have a calming nature, as if they have one foot in eternity and one foot in the world. They do not extract value; they add value. Moral values (labeled by us) of good will, inclusion, sharing, non-judgment and care.

JOY

Have you ever met someone who relishes even the most mundane activities in life? I have. All my dogs. Getting ready for a walk turns out to be something to celebrate! Preparing a same old, same meal for them, they become ecstatic, breaking into dance and song like they just survived a famine. Returning home after a store run, another celebratory time! What is going on here? You know that feeling when someone is grateful towards you? It’s a warm feeling of wellness in the heart. These beings are grateful for just your presence, not to mention that they celebrate, even a mundane schedule, showering gratitude for every turn. In pure joy, they know how to connect naturally by touch. Body bumps, licking, and lap jumps. We in turn, lost in togetherness massage and stroke and scratching to their pure delight! Warmly, with no ulterior motives they viscerally connect. This sends emotional feelings of wellness throughout our bodies by releasing neurotransmitters such as oxytocin and endorphins. They live for the sake of living itself. This leaves room for thier own particular personality to shine unaffected by social manipulation or maneuvering. On a deep level, this may be why we seem to know them so well. They shine as they are in who they are, life itself. Are we getting the message? If not, they don’t fret it. Wanna play?