Exploring your Connection with your Animal Spirit – Part I
September 23rd, 2008 by Dan BodensteinAside from knowing your power animal as an animal you are already fond of, you can use meditation to speak to it. Yes I said “speak” to it. During meditation it is also possible that other animal spirits will make themselves known to you. Don’t get scared, this is not “When animals attack 4″. These spirits carry important messages to help guide you in everyday life. Animal spirit guides have helped me through many difficult times in my life. I have to admit though, sometimes their messages are convoluted and confusing, but the meaning usually becomes clear at a later point.
Note to the weary : The practice of meditation and animal spirit guides is not intended to alter your current beliefs in any way. The process is meant to augment any belief system you may be following.
Preparing for the vision
I will explain a technique I use to speak to my animal spirits, and how I go about learning what message they bring to me. First locate a quiet place, a place where you can be alone. Darkness is not required, unless it helps you. Some people light candles, or burn incense. I personally prefer soft Native American music, such as David and Steve Gordon’s Sacred Earth Drums.
Start your journey
Close your eyes (you may want to finish reading the entire exercise before you start). Imagine in your mind a blank white piece of paper. This sheet of paper is huge, and takes up your entire field of view. It is so big, you cannot see the edges, all you see it white. Focus on how pure the color of the paper is. In your minds eye explore the emptiness of the paper. Your entire view should be pure white.
In your minds eye, envision a forests edge on the left, and the right side of your field of view. Ahead of you, in between the two forests, is the forest floor. The floor is scattered with rocks, pine needles, pine cones, some weeds and wildflowers. Beyond the forest floor is a waters edge. It can reflect a wide river, or even the ocean if you prefer. Concentrate on the detail of the forest edge. See the pine needles, and branches swaying with the wind. Feel the wind, smell the pine in the air. Make the vision real within your mind’s eye.
While focusing on the vision, you will see some movement in the corner of your eye. A rustling in the woods. Focus on the edge of the forest near the movement. The movement will gradually move closer to you. There it is. Emerging from the forest edge will be your animal guide. It may only make itself know on its first appearance to you. Let it come to you, don’t push the vision. Just let it happen. Listen carefully. Your animal may speak to you. You won’t see moving lips like the movies, but listen within your mind to the words it speaks. It may only speak a word, or it may speak volumes of words. First encounters are usually brief and just an appearance, so don’t get discouraged if it simply leaves after making itself known to you.
If you feel confident enough on your first attempt, speak to your totem. Ask it a question. Do not be surprised if another animal enters your field of view to answer you. Your question may require a different animal to respond. The nature of the animal is also part of the answer. For example, if your answer is based on strength, the elephant may appear, or even the ant. But your power totem, your spirit guide is your guide. It will always be there for you.
Look around. Envision yourself sitting on a rock, or merely walking around. Get to know this realm. This is your place. This is a place you can return to at any time to find answers to life’s questions, and assistance on everyday needs.
Complete your journey
It is important to thank your animal spirit for its help, and tell it how much you look forward to visiting with it again. In future journeys you may even be able to approach and touch your animal spirit guide. Open your eyes, and reflect on the journey.
What did the message mean?
What does my animal guide represent?
We will bring understanding to light in the next article. In the meantime, enhance your connection to your spirit guide. Adorn your workplace, or living area with images of it. My home office is adorned with figurines of the gecko, I even carry a crystal coin with a gecko on it, in my pocket.
Meditation is not easy for everyone. It took me a while to get to a point where I could speak with my animal friends. With time, this exercise will become easier, and you will find you can slip into your realm easier and easier.
Comments
OMG this totally worked. I stumbled upon the page before I did my yoga. After yoga I decided to try this. I did exactly what you said (I saw a river instead of the ocean). I waited and waited, and just before I was about to give up, I saw a Buffalo. Way cool!
I need to know what it means. I want to find out.
While I am writing this I saw part II of this article, going to read it now.
I am totally freaking out, in a good way.
Thanks
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