animal messages

Sweet Time in Meditation with Robin

Posted by Barbara Techel
Photo credit: Daniel Roberts

This morning I was listening to a video of one of my favorite mentors as I got ready for the day. As I was listening I noticed two robins outside my window. They were hopping along in the grass, their beaks full of dried grasses. Before I realized it, I found myself drifting into their space.

They are now in the season of building their nests and will soon be welcoming new life with a brood of baby birds. This made me think about how important home is to me, which I wrote about earlier this week.  

I couldn’t help but link it to what is transpiring in our world right now as so many more of us are gathered at home. The teachings we are receiving as we learn to live in a new way right now and what we will perhaps give birth to that we’d not considered before.

As I was in this sweet space of connecting with the robins I was suddenly brought back to where I was, sitting at my vanity in my bedroom, listening to my mentor, as I heard her say how meditation does not mean having to just sit with your eyes closed. It can be in many moments during the day. It can be looking at a feather and when your mind drifts away to something else, it’s just about bringing your mind gently back to the feather.

I smiled as I realized I was meditating with the robins and how they brought me to this precious peace by just pausing to be with them.

Adding another layer of connecting with Robin I then pulled an oracle card from the Animal Kin Oracle by Sarah Wilder asking what else it is we may all need to know right now?

I pulled the unicorn with the word on the card of miracles. The symbolism above the unicorn image is that of the element of Spirit.

I see this as Robin inviting us to see the miracles in the things we perhaps may have taken for granted. How nature provides if we treat mother earth with respect. While some may see the unicorns as doing battle with their horns crossed, I sense it as being united, sort of like, X marks the (sweet) spot. That, together, we can make the changes necessary to appreciate all of life. And how the robins outside my window were working side-by-side gathering materials to build a nest that will support new life.

And every day when we can appreciate this larger force that is at work supporting and guiding us, the more we will be inviting in miracles that help us to acknowledge more deeply this one precious life.

Then reading the guidebook this line resonated: “Since this mythical being is not of this world, we can link it to our ability to travel astrally, reminding us of our own ability to see and visit other worlds outside of the one we are born into.”

Let us not dismiss or forget that each of us can truly do this, just like what happened for me in how I was transported to being with those robins and how that connected me back to how important home is. It’s where it all begins.

Isn’t it beautiful how we are all connected? That is one of the gifts for me right now and how I’m feeling this connection on yet an even deeper level.

I hope you are too.

Much love and peace to you.

xo,

Barbara

 

The Stillness and a Gift from Red Squirrel

Posted by Barbara Techel

It is around 10 am as I write this today. The sun is out in full force enticing the grass from its slumber. My writing cottage window next to my desk is open a crack and I hear the sounds of sandhill cranes overhead.

Red squirrel as has been his daily visit to our deck and task of filling his tummy, I note the distinct sound of quiet that is outside my window except for the sounds of nature.

The stillness envelops my whole being as I sink into this space of knowing this is a new normal for all of us right now.

I recognize why I’ve been feeling, for the most part, calm during this time of uncertainty. For many years now I’ve been making these shifts within my own psyche to come as often as possible to this space of stillness.

I realize why it is that when I’ve gone out into the world I’d feel the angst and hurriedness from those around me. My daily life, for the most part, is spent in lots of quiet time, and over the years I’ve learned that not being in a hurry or stressed is actually a gift to my nervous system.

So as I sit here at my writing desk, the world outside and for many has come to a halt with staying put, I’m welcoming how this is feeling so good to my own being as more have joined with what I’ve been practicing for many years now. 

And red squirrels symbolism of focused energy is an invitation that when we take this time to journey inward we come to discover things we may not have realized before in our hurried lives. And red squirrel reminds us of the important choice of the activity of play as one we all need more of in order to find our way back to what really matters.

xo,

Barbara

 

 

Guidance from Whale Spirit During These Challenging Times

Posted by Barbara Techel

I’m thinking of all of you as we go through this challenging and unprecedented time in our world. I hope you are finding ways to stay calm, grounded and centered. For the most part, I’m feeling centered, though in being honest, I have had a few moments of feeling scared too. This is natural and vital for each of us to feel our way through this.

And this is one of the teachings (of many) I believe is unfolding from this time. We are being called to hold it all, be in a space of flow, acceptance, and surrender, and find peace within, plus feel the myriad of feelings we feel.

I’ve been using some of my tools in my toolbox more of late like 5-10 minute meditations two to three times a day. I’ve also been practicing, even more, to stop and take deep breaths, and taking time to reflect on the bigger perspective of this time and my belief that we will get through this and we will all be better for it.

Another tool I find helpful and always feel comforted by is tapping into the energy of animals and so I chose a card for us today from The Spirit Animal Oracle.

I pulled Whale Spirit in protection and the message on the card is Trust in the Great Mystery.

Because it came out in reverse we are being called to check in with ourselves when we feel scared. When we are frightened we are giving in to fear (again, totally natural). But this is truly a mystery of what is unfolding right now and we are being called to trust that this is all for the better of our planet. To trust that we will, and already are, learning from this. 

I see Whale Spirit card as a message that this is a time to really lean into your connection with a higher power, no matter how you define it, God, Spirit, Goddess, Universe, etc.

Last night I woke in the middle of the night and my thoughts started to spiral. But I stopped myself and felt into an experience I had almost two years ago when I had a transitional breath session. I recalled how after that session, for the first time in my 55 years, I felt this undeniable energy, and what I identified as God that enveloped me with this deeply touching love I’d never felt before in my life.

I knew in that moment that I was worthy and that I was safe. I had always been. And I hope this is of some help for you too that I share this. It also reminds me  of when listening to Marianne Williamson when in her meditations she says, “God is here.”

So just like what we are going through right now and we don’t know how it will all unfold, we have to trust in what we can’t see. But know we are safe and are being guided by a loving force that is there.

Lastly, I share this from the booklet that I find comforting and I hope it will serve you in this way too:

“You must trust absolutely that what will come will be for the highest good. Stay in your present moment awareness and allow the Hidden Realms to hold your intentions safely until it is time for them to manifest in the Realm of Form. Let go, for you will not be left behind.”

Sending you all so much love and light!

xo,

Barbara