Are you learning spiritual lessons from animals?
Posted by Allen and Linda Anderson at 1/14/2008 6:44 AM and is filed under Observations,Amazing Angel Animals,Inspiration from Animals 
Well, this is our birthday weekend. We are two stubborn Capricorns enjoying life to the fullest.
Our celebration was a dinner out with dear friends and lots of laughter. At home, our family of Angel Animals makes life so very sweet for one more blessed year.
We did a radio interview this morning, and the host asked how we started this journey. The question took us back to 1996 and a walk around Minneapolis's Lake Harriet with our dog Taylor. People would stop and ask, "Do you know your dog is smiling?"
Our conversation that day turned to the topic of how many spiritual qualities we were noticing in our pets. In abundance, they possessed virtues of unconditional love, gratitude, joy, generosity, compassion, creativity -- everything humans wish they had more of in their lives.
We went home that day and started sending out requests on the Internet and putting up posters around town. We asked a simple question: Are you learning spiritual lessons from animals?
Within sixty days we had hundreds of replies from around the world. It was as if everyone was waiting for someone to ask the right question.
Quite frequently letters began with the words, "You're going to think I'm crazy, but. . ." or "I've never told this to anyone." Then the person would reveal an amazing story of a spiritual experience with an animal.
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Dear Fellow Animal Lovers,
I learned a lesson about obedience to The Divine from my dog, Dexter. We where out on a walk and a car started coming towards us. Dexter, being a dog who loves to chase cars, braced himself and got exited. I told him he shouldn't chase it, and he didn't even lift a paw. He had no idea why I told him not to chase the car, but he trusted me and obeyed. I thought about how I should obay The Divine like Dexter obeys me. I shouldn't dout God's instructions he knows infinitely more than me.
Sincerely,
Sara
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I have 5 cats and 1 dog. I feel most connected to spirit when I am sitting with 1 or more of them in the early morning hours. I truly feel close to God/spirit during that time.
The most profound spiritual experience I ever had was with a hawk. I was an in-home therapist at the time. I saw a lot of families who lived in the country. I kind of enjoyed those drives to and from as it gave me time to focus on the therapy sessions. On this particular day, however, I was seeing a family who lived in what felt like the middle of nowhere. Their house was accessible only by a lane surrounded by trees. Their were also trees in front of the house that made it impossible to see the house from the road. The family had a history of drug abuse and violence. I was feeling afraid and asking God to help me deal with that. Within minutes a hawk appeared. I watched him fly and for a moment forgot my fear. I have always loved hawks and feel a connection with them.
As I continued down the road the hawk stayed with me. I turned onto the lane leading to the family's house and felt apprehension once again. It was then I noticed that the hawk was still with me. He followed me down the lane and into the driveway where he perched on a tree limb. My fear evaporated. I knocked on their door with a sense of peace. The session went well and I was able to begin bonding with the family.
When the session was over, I went out to my car. The hawk remained perched in the tree. I headed back down the lane and the hawk flew with me. He followed me down the country road until I turned onto the main road. I thanked both God and the hawk for his presence.
Although this happened many years ago, I will never forget this experience. I feel chills even as I write this. Hawks have appeared at other times in my life when I have been struggling with something. The most recent was a few days ago. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer almost a year ago. As the anniversary date nears I have been struggling more with fears of re occurrence. I feed birds on our porch and have seen an assortment of sparrows, cardinals, blue jays and other birds. I had noticed a hawk flying earlier in the morning. As I walked by our window the hawk landed on our porch railing and sat there for several moments before flying away. I felt awe and peace. I also felt gratitude and honored by his presence. When something triggers a memory of the past and/or fear about the future, I think of the hawk and feel peace.
In peace, Hannah
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