Voices of the Wild

MY MAGICAL ENCOUNTERS WITH WILD ANIMALS

When you are in nature, are centered, silent in the mind, present in the body, with an open loving heart, the wild will talk to you--if you are willing to truly listen. I have had many incredible encounters with wild animals and I will share with you some of them. May they awaken in you what is wild, free and connected with all of life.

BOBCAT

I am on a path through an open and wild area at the California coast together with my then 11-year-old daughter, who too has a deep connection with the animals. As we walk, we see the high grass in the field moving and stop in silent understanding with each other. Just being present, watching and sensing. Who is there? What is moving between the grass blades under the bright midday sun? Whoever it is clearly comes closer toward us; until it is so near that we can see the back of a larger brown furred animal. Our energy is quiet with anticipation. Out from the grass and unto the trail emerges suddenly a most beautiful, gracious bobcat. I motion to my daughter to slowly sit down. I too touch the ground and wait. The cat leisurely strolls even closer toward us.

Then she does what I had never experienced before: As she approaches, she looks straight at us and then literally, at an arm-length away she lays down before us. The bobcat isn’t injured or grazed, but healthy, strong and at ease. I am thrilled to meet one so intimately, but hold my excitement at bay, as to not ruffle the air and scare her off. She calmly looks at us, completely relaxed and alert as cats are and stretches out, as if to get ready for a nap. We have a most beautiful and unusual friendship circle between us. We listen to her as she communicates to us. She speaks to us about how to be at ease in life and other wisdom we need to hear and learn from.

When our communion is complete, my daughter and I thank and bless her. The bobcat gives us one more look, as if to say good-bye in her own way, gets up and strolls away. I will never forget her face, the natural grace she exuded. What a way to walk through life like that.

MOUNTAIN LIONESS AND CUB

As if it isn’t enough on that day, after encountering the bobcat we meet two other wild cats: A mountain lion mother with her young cub is walking toward us on the path. First, I rub my eyes, for it seems almost otherworldly. And realizing I am not dreaming, this would be certainly a moment not to venture further into the wild or to have fear arising. Yet my daughter and I keep walking hand in hand and cannot turn away or stop for the world of it. As if a greater force is taking hold of us, we keep walking toward the golden colored lioness and her cub, just as they stately walk toward us.

Suddenly, the four of us seem to be woken by surprise, when we realize we are standing facing each other only a few hundred yards apart. We all stop at the same moment. My daughter is mesmerized, so am I. Is there any danger from the mountain lion? I can sense none. As if in silent knowing, she recognizes me as a mother. Both of us are leading our young. She does not sense any danger from me either. She isn't hungry (well, that would be too late now anyway). After we feel each other out, we all just look at one another with an open curiosity. The meeting is profoundly intense and relaxed.

My daughter is at ease and I suggest to her to connect with the cub and communicate with it. The dignified lioness and I have a “mother to mother” talk. She teaches me much in those most amazing minutes, where time stands still. She shows me true power, dignity, leadership and simply being. My daughter too receives her own gifts from the cub and I bet it receives my girls blessings too. Again, when our meeting has come to a natural ending, we bow and the great wild cats turn and slowly walk away. A magnificent sight to behold, which I will never forget. A truly amazing blessing.

ANACONDA SNAKE

I travel on my own deep into the Amazon jungle through Ecuador. I want to meet the indigenous tribe, which still lives in their natural way with the earth and learn from them. A small boat takes me unto the river and we glide for hours upon the water, further and further into the jungle. Sounds, songs I have never heard before, are resounding from everywhere. I almost can hear the enormous plants growing. The howler monkeys are laughing. Eyes seem to peer through the shadows of the leaves. The jungle is intensively alive, full of wonder and unknown. My skin though is alive with mosquitoes, which find my sweet blood tasty. Sweat pours down my body. I want to put my head and hands into the water to cool off, but my river guide waves frantically: no, no, no. I look- crocodiles close bye and ready for a meal. I am not going to offer my hands up, no matter how much compassion I may have.

He leads me to the tribe in the heart of the jungle. There is little talk, for only one of them speaks broken Spanish, so myself. They teach me less through words, but through being and doing. I live in a tiny hut made from leaves sleeping on the bare earth, become part of their community, prepare the meals with the women, learn about natural medicines from plants, which and how to use them, watch the men hunting. They need the meat for survival and always offer their prayers beforehand and thank the animal that had given its life. All is done in deep respect toward nature. They are strong people and know how to live in harmony with the natural environment. It certainly isn’t comfortable, but a simple and connected life.

One day, knowing that I would need to go soon back into civilization, the one who speaks a little Spanish, motions to follow him. He tells me, that they want to offer me a rite of initiation through the medicine man. Ok, I say. I do not know what they really mean by that. I walk beneath these huge trees and their roots, until we reach an opening, where the sun shines through. It is so hot and wet. They ask me to stand with closed eyes and they begin singing. I hear heavy barefoot steps, as one of them comes closer. He tells me that this is a moment of life and death for me. If I succumb to fear I could die. Then he asks me, if I was ready. Well, if I died here it would be alright (I didn't have a child then) and there is little that scares me (except big hairy spiders.) I would be fine really--or so I think. Sure, I motion to him, ready for anything.

From behind he lands an enormous weight unto my shoulders, which almost sinks me unto my knees. He asks me to open my eyes. Holy mother--it is a humongous snake. A full grown anaconda snake. He laughs and says she hasn't eaten and if I freak out she would certainly strangle me to death and he would not be able to unloosen her. First I think he is joking, but then I realize rather fast that he speaks true. I am terrified out of my wits. To make matters worse, her head comes toward my face and she hisses intensely. With slow motion, she is moving closer and closer toward my neck. I put my hands there. Naïve, for that would make no difference whatsoever.

Now what do you do, when you can’t stop your fear and it will certainly lead into what you fear the most? I breathe. The only thing I can remember to do. I breathe again into my belly. Into my feet and the ground. I breathe deeper, consciously relaxing in the midst of terror. I open my heart to this really big long snake. Sweat is dripping from my forehead. I keep relaxing, opening and grounding. Indeed, this is a matter of life and death. Slowly she drops her head lower and lower. When I am calm and centered she rests her head unto my belly, her body wrapping around mine. I stroke her, as she closes her eyes. I walk with her; all the while she rests on me peacefully. The medicine man smiles and nods. Apparently I have passed my initiation well. What an awesome power this snake carries. I connect with her and I am at ease. The Anaconda Snake and I are many hours together, until I return her back into the wild. The tribe has a feast that night under the stars. Something is changed deeply in me. I am not the same person who has come into the jungle, as when I leave. There is a power that has awoken. It moves through all of us, like the snake- it is the energy of life. That is not to fear--for it is the power of creation itself. I can only surrender and bow to that.

WILD MUSTANG HORSES

After riding into Canyon De Chinle, a most sacred place on the Navajo reservation, I meditate for many hours on Spider Rock. This is a powerful vortex, where heaven and earth meet. Being deeply touched to tears by the sheer beauty, purity and sacredness of this wild Canyon, I feel a strange and strong calling that leads me deeper into the valley, where the ancient ones have walked. At a close distance I hear the neighing of the wild horses. I am following the magnetic pull with soft footsteps touching the earth. When I come around the majestic red rock, I am welcomed into a lush green valley, where a river flows through.

It is here, where I my eyes behold a large herd of wild mustangs. I stop in awe. The herd with mares and foals do not run away as they usually do, when humans enter into their territory or energy field. Have they even noticed me? Wild horses, as all of the wild are very alert and can sense what is going on at far distance. Yet, I am in their circle and they do not seem to be perturbed, nor do they stampede off from me. I sit down among thistles and green grass, after paying my respects and asking them, if I could stay for a bit.

It is at this moment, that the black stallion looks straight at me with his gorgeous eyes. Our gaze meets in silence. It is powerful. We connect. As if giving his consent, he lowers his head and continues to graze peacefully, whilst I enjoy watching the young foals playing right next to me. What an incredible sense of freedom and connectedness. It is a blessing to be with them. My heart is bursting, as I long to run with one of the few remaining wild mustang herds that we have left alive on the earth.

COMMUNICATING WITH ANIMALS AND LIVING IN HARMONY WITH CREATION

The heart knows the universal language of all creation. The wild animals understand it. The creatures are not disconnected, as often we humans are. But when you are connected to the heart of creation within and around you, all wild creatures will resonate and you walk in oneness with all of life--simply and naturally. It is like breathing air, simple and natural. We are interconnected. When I meet the wild animals; they seem not threatened by my presence and come often closely to me. Why? I do not know. Just, that my heart is one with them and I can communicate with them. I love them. It is nothing supernatural, rather most natural for me. More like--of course, how could it not be so, since we are the same life, just different expressions?

Being in harmony with all of life isn’t complicated. It is in us. We just need to pay attention to it and live like that. The wild is dear to me. There is not much left. Can we stop the destruction now, protect instead what is so precious and learn to live in harmony with the gift and magnificence of creation? It is up to all of us.

A word of commonsense caution: If you want to get to know the wild animals better and learn to commune with them, begin with deer, birds, squirrels. Don’t go for a wild cat, bear or snake unless you are really solidly connected and have plenty of experience and skill. Listen to your own nature and theirs at a safe distance. It will open up worlds for you and benefit all beings. Enjoy!