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The Ancient Bond
Between Animals and Humans
by Christopher Foster |
In a world changing faster by the minute there is one thing that has not
changed, and that is the sweet sound of a bird singing, or an elk bugling, or
a dog barking in wild exuberance as it races off on a journey of delightful
exploration.
While humans have always looked to the natural world for peace and serenity,
the other beings that share our planet in such a myriad, magical variety,
have a deeper message for us that we really need to hear if we are to heal
ourselves and our world.
We look at a butterfly, or a bluebird, and we think, oh, how lovely. But all
we see most of the time is the outer shape, the outer form. We don't touch
the essence behind the form. We say, 'Oh, there's a pretty butterfly,' and
we move on to the next thing.
Yet if we were to pause and open our heart and really feel the being that is
parading before us in the cool disguise we call a butterfly, or a robin, or
redwood, or a flower, it would change our life. We would realize in an
instant, and in the very marrow of our soul, that all life is one. We would
know, without need for any further enlightenment from other wise humans, that
we share a bond with animals and with nature that is irreversible and that
can bring us serenity and comfort in difficult times such as face us now.
William Blake spoke of seeing the world in a grain of sand, or heaven in a
wild flower. Even in these dark times, there is some real good news crying
out to be heard by the ears of all of us. All we have to do is open those
ears, the "inner ear" so to speak of the soul, and we will hear the song the
universe is singing.
The oneness, and abiding harmony that bind the atoms of
creation--as far as the eye can see, and further into the infinity of
space--is not really hidden. It's just that for the most part we are so busy and preoccupied with day to
day affairs that we do not notice.
We all have that inner ear--that inner eye--whereby we too may experience
immediately and intimately a moment of insight into the mystery and beauty
that so arrested the poet, William Blake.
There was nothing special about Blake, or any other wise or holy person that
ever lived, that is not also true of us. We all are special. We all come from
the same heavenly realms. We all have the same birthright. We all have the
same equipment.
We are part of a mysterious and wonderful creation, and animals, even the
simplest, most overlooked creature, can remind us of that. They are our kin--and have been our kin for a long, long time.
Even more importantly, we have something important to offer to the creatures
of this world. If we think we are vulnerable, how about them? Low down on the
totem pole, for sure.
Good day, brother fish. Good day, sister antelope. Good day, all you wild
creatures that share this earthly home with me.
Much love to you, and may the bond between us continue forever.
© Copyright 2003 Christopher Foster.
All Rights Reserved.
Christopher Foster. Born in 1932 in London, England,
Christopher Foster started work as a reporter on a South
London weekly newspaper at age 17, following in the
steps of his father, a longtime British journalist. At
age 18 he left home to see the world. He lived for two
years in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and worked as
a laborer and reporter in New Zealand before returning
home to the UK.
After a two year spell as a
reporter with the London Daily Express, Foster emigrated
to Canada in 1955. A longtime spiritual search led him
to a spiritual community in 100 Mile House, British
Columbia, known as The Emissaries, where he lived for
over 30 years. During this time he was editor of the
local weekly newspaper and later initiated a worldwide
newsletter named Integrity which took him and his first
wife, Joy, on travels all over the world.
In 1984 Foster wrote his first
book, a novel entitled Bearers of the Sun. He followed
this with a biography, two books of poems, and a second
novel, Winds Across the Sky. His latest book, The Raven
Who Spoke With God, was published in September 2001. It
is a story of a young raven who overcomes grief and fear
as he pursues his dream to be a friend and ally to
humankind. "Buoyant as the air through which the
birds soar, the story lifts the heart and carries it,
dancing lightly, all the way through to the end,"
said NAPRA ReView. "This is a book you will read
and then instantly think of ten friends to whom it must
be lent." Bob Spear, at Heartland Reviews, has
recommended The Raven for Booksense, saying, "It
reminded me of Jonathan Livingston Seagull in the
Rockies."
Phone: (970) 461-0632. Email: Chris@SingingSpiritBooks.com.
Website: www.SingingSpiritBooks.com.
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