I have been trying to settle into writing my blog and have topics I would like to be writing about, but inevitably my attention kept returning to what is happening around us and possibly feels like “to us”.
The date today is 28/10/21 and I think it is fair to say that the world is in a state of change, of uncertainty, varying levels of unease, distrust and a decreasing level of confidence in structures we had trusted. Moving into a new paradigm is proving to be very challenging and rocky. Our cages (metaphorically and literally) are being rattled.
How does nature respond when the going gets tough? If the stormy tide takes out the dotterels’ nests, in a little while, the birds build another – they start again. If the forest is cut down, the birds and other forest creatures that lived there, are displaced and if they survive, they move and adapt to new surroundings that may or may not support them, but they do it anyway. When a fire goes through, new life comes forth, but it takes time as seeds wait for the right conditions to crack open and grow. And while the waiting is happening, life does not stand still – the earth has a life of its own beneath the surface. New buds or shoots are forming and what has died is being recycled to give new life.
Animals are sentient beings, with their own innate intelligence and life purpose, doing what they need to do to survive and keep going. Any expression of an animal in its adult form, when free to be itself, will clearly demonstrate certain traits or behaviours. If not too confined by manmade walls and fences, ropes, chains and other captive measures, they will roam freely and interact with other species, with an easy acceptance of the laws/lores of nature, of prey and predator relationships, of life and death. If necessary, they will compete or fight for survival, but in general they wont want to waste their energy on unnecessary battles.
However, when confined in unnaturally small spaces, animals often show signs of distress such as boredom, self-mutilation, aggression, passivity, loss of spirit, depression or physical ill-health, even death. They will be dependent upon their guardians/captors to bring them food or the promise of release into a new paddock or a new enclosure, that will support them.
As people we tend to, although not always, have more choice than animals. But when we feel like we don’t and feel trapped, what do we do? Do we pace around the paddock, lie down and give up, look for the gap, jump the fence, burrow out, fight with each other or wait for someone else to push through? Or do we work it out together?
Internally, how do we manage constraints placed upon us by someone or something else? No matter the situation imposed on animals, they remain present with what is and to the best of their ability, express fully who they are, whatever their species. Animals do not have the cognitive functioning that we do, in that, they don’t overthink things. They get on with living and respond to what is. Of course, this does not mean that they won’t demonstrate behaviours that reflect signs of stress or unease, but they will not try to be what they are not.
It is said by many spiritual teachers that in finding stillness in the present moment, being able to observe our own thoughts, feelings, words and actions, without judgement, we can affect change, from within. How do we find this space inside? Just stopping and giving it a go, is a start and will need to be repeated, until it becomes the norm. Another path to stillness leads me to spending time in nature, just being with the “beingness” of animals, of insects and the plants, the rocks, the waters, our kin. These beings do presence really well.
Of course, when you add the human component, we will need to make some decisions and think a few things through. Discerning whether to be still or take action must be considered. But we will have a place to return to, to reflect from and to tune into for guidance, for inner knowing and a connection that is deeper than the reactive mind, a connection that helps us to track and link physical body sensations with emotions and thoughts. Numerous books have been written on the subject and numerous videos and courses created too.
When animals face danger or an immediate threat – flight, fight or freeze is the usual reaction. Once the danger is passed, if they survive, the animal’s body shakes to release the energy and then they are able to get on with their business. Sustained and continual threats, however, can create traumas that seriously impact wellbeing and this is where both animals and people, may need help.
Finding the calm place inside is helpful and so can be, seeking assistance from a number of therapeutic modalities. This includes the First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand®, which are available to assist both animals and people. Treating trauma early helps prevent repercussions down the track. Removing the triggers that traumatize are also obviously useful!
So, onward we go, step by step, breath by breath, supporting each other and re-membering how to just be, with the best models from nature (of which we are part of), around us, in everyday life.
Here is one of my favourite quotes from a poem by William Henry Davies,
“What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep and cows.”