Millennia ago we recognized ourselves as part of nature. We lived and died in natural settings and would hunt or farm the animals that were a part of that setting. Over time our ancestors noticed that certain animals could become loyal and loving companions and today millions of people share their lives with pets.
The intimate connection animals have with the natural world is well documented. For example, the elephants and other animals that headed to higher ground before the devastating tsunami struck in southeast Asia in 2004, saved many human lives in Thailand by alerting people to the impending disaster through their unusual behaviour.
Interacting more with animals is an obvious and immediate way to connect with nature. Our ancestors knew that humans, animals and the natural world were all interconnected and whether or not you own a pet, or consider yourself an animal lover, this ritual will encourage you to open your heart and let the animals in.
Interacting with animals from time to time has proven therapeutic effects. The healing power of animals is so beneficial that animal-assisted therapy is often used in hospices.57 Simply stroking a cat or dog releases feel-good hormones. Offenders in prison who are given dogs to care for show a remarkable turnaround in behaviour.58 Children with learning disabilities, ADD (attention deficit disorder) or autism also show improvements when spending quality time with animals.59
Being the guardian of an animal can be a life saver. Studies consistently show how beneficial pets can be for easing stress and depression and boosting mood.60 A pet loves its owner however tired or cranky they get, and there is no greater boost to self-esteem than unconditional love. Being in the moment with an animal is a deeply bonding experience and pets are also fantastic company, especially for people who live alone. Dog-walking in particular can be fantastic for your mental and physical health. Research shows that cultivating a special bond with our dogs can significantly supercharge our wellbeing.61
Over the years many of my readers have sent me moving stories about the ways in which animals have healed, comforted, saved and inspired them. Here are just a few examples:
“My cat is a truly loving and heaven-sent companion. She just senses when I am feeling low and instinctively knows when to come and curl up beside me.” Mike
“My dogs bring out the qualities in me that I like best and time spent with them is a precious gift.” Caitlin
“I owe my life to my dog Samson. I got him a year before my husband died and without him there beside me, I would have been sucked up by grief. He is like a father, mother, brother, sister and loving friend to me. I love him beyond belief.” Laura
“I’m not in a position to be a pet owner, but I have a deep affinity with animals and volunteer at the local animal rescue centre. Time spent there is my favourite time. I feel the joy of the animals when I am with them and I can’t explain how or why, but they just seem to understand me. Some of the best conversations I have had have been silent ones with the animals I look after.” John
And if you need any more anecdotal evidence, search online for the famous story of Christian the lion. See if you can watch the video of the emotional reunion between human and lion at the end without feeling deeply, deeply moved and struck with feelings of awe.
Set aside five to ten minutes for this ritual. Find somewhere quiet where you won’t be disturbed and think of an animal that you have an affinity with. If you are an animal guardian it could be your pet but, if you are not a pet owner, choose any animal. It can be a fox, a deer, a lion, a horse, a dolphin nor any animal that you love the thought and feeling of.
When you are ready, close your eyes and take some slow and deep breaths. See your chosen animal in your mind’s eye in its natural habitat. Then, allow yourself to enter fully into the experience of being that animal. Take on the characteristics of that animal; become one with them. Start by syncing your breath with what you feel the breath of your imagined animal would be. Then, see through their eyes and hear through their ears. Immerse yourself fully into your animal kingdom. Speed across the grass in chase of prey or glide through the oceans. Imagine yourself as that animal in every detail. What would that animal feel? Animal sentience is real so this isn’t as crazy as you may think. Visualize taking on the body, the movements, the instincts and the beating heart of another animal. Humans are animals, too, so this will be easier than you think.
When you are ready to finish your visualization, find somewhere for your animal to settle and sleep, and then leave them behind as you slowly open your eyes. Grab your back-to-nature journal and draw your animal.
If you struggle to find the imagery and inspiration for this ritual, you can do some research beforehand by watching videos of your animal or do some reading about them. If you still find it challenging, there’s a terrific website you can visit called animalmeditations.com, which has done the work for you. Simply select your animal from the list provided. Settle down somewhere quiet, close your eyes and listen to the guided imagery on your chosen track.62
If you don’t think animals have feelings, think again. Talk to any pet owner and they will help you see that animals are pure feeling, and there’s research to suggest that even fish can feel. Should you not think of yourself as an animal lover, this ritual will be a challenge but personal growth is often found in the area of your greatest challenge. If you want to connect with nature, you can’t avoid interacting with animals because animals are nature. Think about why animals make you feel uncomfortable. There is a lesson for you somewhere there. Animals, as part of nature, are our greatest teachers.
If you don’t know enough about your chosen animal, do some research or watch a documentary online. Set a timer for five minutes. Close your eyes and in your imagination, become that animal.
If you wish, you can perform this ritual daily – each time you do it you will learn more about the animal kingdom and yourself. You can perform it with the same animal so you learn more and more about their way of life or you can choose a different animal each time to see their point of view. Never forget that you are a part of the animal kingdom. Follow up each animal meditation with your own research about that animal to see if your imagination told the real story.
Let this ritual inspire you to notice and respect animals more in your everyday life. If someone passes by with a friendly dog, pet them if the owner allows you to; stroke a cat; send gratitude to animals you see in fields or on farms as they are likely to be giving up their lives for you.
You can take things one step further by adopting an animal. This doesn’t mean living with that animal, it entails paying a small amount of money each month to a charity to help care for that animal either in its natural setting in the wild or in an animal shelter. Last, but by no means least, if you don’t own a pet already and your circumstances allow, you may wish to consider visiting a rescue centre and giving an abandoned or neglected animal a loving home. In my opinion, there can be no better way to bring a part of nature into your home than by introducing an animal into your life.
Connecting to nature ritual: Close your eyes and for at least five minutes imagine what it might be like to be the animal of your choice.
The theory: Animals are a part of nature. Placing yourself right into the world of an animal with your imagination connects you to nature through the power of empathy.
The practice: Perform this ritual and notice how it makes you feel. When you entered into your chosen animal’s world, what did it teach you about yourself? Write down in your back-to-nature journal what insights your animal meditation revealed to you.