As you walk your Healing Journey and you delve into not just the physical contributors to your dis-ease, but also the emotional contributors, I want to call your attention to one more source of healing: The animal world.
As lowly humans, we often forget (or don’t even realize) the interconnectedness of all beings. This can be easily brought home to your heart and experienced by spending an hour or two walking in the forest
Or taking in the magnificence of the ocean
The interconnectedness of LIFE can also be experienced when you spend quiet time with animals – ideally in meditative, or a very peaceful state, breathing deeply and easily.
Today I enjoyed a beautiful spring day out in my pasture with my horse, Zorra and my dog, Tiah.
I sat cross-legged on the ground and began breathing in the fresh spring air and turned my face up to the beautiful sunshine. Tiah lay down behind me (snuggled against my butt) and Zorra came over and stood in front of me
As we breathed and sunk into the earth together, Zorra too went into meditative state and love flowed freely between us
It was a truly magical, healing, nurturing experience and I was reminded again of the message from my heart/ribs during my craniosacral session the day before: Choose Softness
Animals that love us are always available to share this space with us and to bring in the divine love and healing that is always there for us. We just need to slow down, be still, soften, and open to receive.
Thanks for sharing, Jini! I just came inside after a good “treatment session” with my healing team-8 horses and five cats. Sitting in sun with these close companions is always positive and a surge of love and energy.
That’s awesome Susan!! Tell me more about your horses – what breeds, why 8, etc….? Too bad you can’t post photos along with your comments. But if you have a link to some photos, please post it! Oh, and my 2 cats are sitting right next to me as I write this 🙂
Jini:
Truly loved the photos and the narrative. My rescue dogs and cats have done more over the years to rescue me than visa-versa! All of us no matter what species we were born into, are variations on a theme with much to share if we make the effort.
One of my physician mentors, an experienced practitioner, once asked me when I was a student of his, what was our biggest deficiency as a species. As he was an esteemed Osteopathic Physician and Nutritionist I feebly guessed a few nutrients which he shook his head no to. Companionship, he told me, was what was most lacking among us as individuals and as a culture. That was in 1976. Almost forty years later, personal and professional experience has taught me he was spot on correct. Our animal companions can help fill that void wonderfully.
Cheers,
Paul Goldberg
It’s interesting you say that Paul… I had both horses and dogs as a child/teen. Then during my university/traveling years I had no pets. Now my kids are old enough that I could contemplate taking on the care of other beings and WOW! Just as you said, I’ve been blown away by the friendship, teaching, and spiritual mastery of these creatures – which I probably just took for granted as a youngster.
So yes, I totally agree, especially if one suffers from depression or chronic illness, strongly consider getting a “high-connection” animal to share the support and beauty of relationship with.
what annimals are considered “high connection” ? dogs, cats, horses, pigs, I guess anything that I would feel a connection to?
3 years ago I brought my dog to the groomer and the groomer actually lost her and she died on the highway.
I’ve been avoiding replacing her and just typing this message brings tears to my eyes.
I am single and think maybe a dog would be a good healer for me.
Thoughts?
Hi Elissa, I think any animal can be a conduit for this kind of healing and connection to Mother Earth. The question for you is what level of connection do you desire, and do you have time/room for in your life? We had a guinea pig who was a MASTER at boundary setting and standing in his power and so communicative as well. He would follow me around the yard on a hand signal and pretty much ruled the other animals – he could be out of his cage around both the dog and cats and no one would harm him. He lived double the life span that guinea pigs are supposed to be able to live – we put him outside on the grass (with the top of his cage protecting him from eagles and raccoons) every day we could, and fed him fresh food and hay with almost no pellet food and I think that had a lot to do with it.
Both our cats came from truly feral cats (multiple generations of feral cats) but they follow us like dogs, they like to play and learn tricks and they are super snuggly. But both cats and guinea pigs (for example) are way less maintenance/work than caring for a dog.
I find dogs are more like 4 year old children – yes they can do a lot for themselves, but they still need you to assist and be with them for most things. So if I were you, I would spend some time feeling into what level of connection and work I’m up for with my next soulmate. And also hold that intention as you open to which animal is meant to be with you at this time. Keep me posted!
Hay,;) Do you live on/near Vancouver Island? Thanks bunches! I am wantinf to work for ,with,volunteer someone whom does animal/horse healing ect.Perfer in B.C.,or Alberta. Do you know of anyone whom may need a helper? Thank~you! ;>
I’m just about to do a blog post (on my http://www.ListenToYourHorse.com site) about a fabulous healer (who works with humans and animals) named Jen Snow. My daughter apprenticed with her last summer and she learned a lot. You can reach her at:
http://animalbodyworkz.ca/
Beautifully written and lovely photos of your connection. Hope we can meet one day. Much love Jacqui
http://www.springwoodsanctuary.com
Hi Jacqui,
What a beautiful sanctuary you have in West Sussex! A herd of 11, just like Jini’s. =)
Have you visited Jini’s other blog Listen To Your Horse? https://listentoyourhorse.com/
It is a site dedicated to building relationships with your horses, horse care, and other topics you may enjoy.
Is Springwood Sanctuary something you founded yourself? How long has it been running? I am curious to learn more!
Kind regards,
Savannah B
Customer Care
Hi Savannah, yes I really enjoy reading both Jinis blogs and resonate deeply. Thank you!
Springwood was founded by me, yes, as an experiment into following my heart and not the way I’d been taught and practiced all my life with horses. It’s been a heartwarming, incredible journey, affirming all I felt was right intuitively and teaching me so much more, living amongst the herd for the past 2.5 years, sharing being on the land, ancient woodland, by the lake and around the native wild animals with people who benefit so greatly from the healing space here.
Sadly we’re having to move as our landlord is selling, so we’re being challenged to live even wilder, deeper and more connected to the land.
Trusting deeply all is well!!!
Hi Jacqui,
How wonderful it is to have been able to care for these beautiful beings for almost 3 years. I wish you all the best in your move.
Thank you so much for sharing – please reach out again after your move! I would love to hear how you and the herd are doing once you are all settled into your new home.
Best of luck to you!
Warmest regards,
Savannah B
Customer Care
Funny you posted this yesterday since the day before I looked at my 12 year dog Bandit a rescue who gives such unconditional love for the smallest things I did one big thing for him Tuesday, bought him pet probiotics from Natren.com. I feel so good about it and can’t wait to see if they have an effect giving him the new found strength they have for me.
Thanks for sharing Jeni!
Hi Kimberly,
Natren is an amazingly potent brand – and great for pets! Please let me know it works for your Bandit! =)
Kind regards,
Savannah B
Customer Care