posted on Jul, 22 2007 @ 08:38 PM
For quite a long time, I had a difficult time wrapping my mind around this concept. However recently I believe I've answered some of my questions. It
is my hope that this thread will provoke further revelation on the subject.
A Totem Spirit is a very common concept in Shamanism and like practices. The basic idea is this. Each person has at least one, and often severla
different animal spirits that accompany them and teach them lessons. Each animal possesses vast spiritual wisdom, and usually specializes in a certain
type of "medicine" which can roughly be translated as knowledge or power. For example, the Fox is quite talented in camoflauge, staying hidden,
becoming one with the enviroment. The Hawk may specialize in seeing above problems, to their greater purpose and lesson.
But, there are many animals that we see that just aren't universally bright. To put it bluntly, they're stupid. Or, are they? Those of you who read
my threads regularly are aware that I believe we have suffered a great disconnect from our true nature. Have animals also lost their way?
I am becoming more and more convinced that animals also experienced a certain degree of a "Fall."
Their ideal form, the "Totem" I believe they have suffered a spiritual disconnect from. While animals in the wild still retain a great deal more
awareness and insticnt than modern human beings, they are a long way from their Godlike spiritual potential.
Domesticated Animals are even worse off than us. We capture them, and impose certain programing upon them, further dulling their natural senses so
that they become even more accustomed to this unnatural way of life. Domesticated animals are even further from their spiritual potential, for we are
imposing our wills upon them, and increasing the gap between the self and their true nature. Making them even more unconcious, as we are.
I also believe that as species die off physically, their spiritual counterpart develops a new physical avatar so to speak, and a new, different beast
comes to embody such wisdom.
Animals in the wild have far greater natural senses than we do. Ours have dulled over millenia of seeking comfort, rather than living in tune with
nature. Animals evolve, grow thicker fur in order to live in cold climates. Humans however, do not evolve physically, they use a tool, wear a jacket,
build a means of staying cool.
Animals in the wild, unlike us, do not try to control each other, manipulate one another. They use what nature provides and develop skills and
abilities that will allow them to survive. In this sense, they are more in tune with nature than we are. Animals do not kill each other over religious
differences, or have bouts of depression, struggling for happiness. They simply live. In this sense, they are in a more spiritual, in-tune state than
we, the "thinking craetures" of this planet.
However, when we domesticate a species, or a family of animals, they begin to lose their natural instincts, depend on us for survival. These creatures
then become even more disconnected from their true ideal selves. Their spiritual nature becomes even more distant.
Now, plants, I feel are even more spiritually in-tune than animals. They have faith that nature will provide. Even when we demoesticate them, they
maintaian the same attitude. Nature will provide, and if it doesn't they have the strength and knowledge to endure. We can only hurt them so much
before they die, and take on a new form. They have even less fear of death than animals. With rocks and elementals, and all the rest, these are the
most intune with nature. I do not feel that they have experienced a fall. I believe plants, rocks, and others exist mostly in the spiritual realms,
whereas, their physical avatar simply changes forms. We can break a rock, put out a fire, divide a river. But they are basically immovable, immune to
our influence. They powerfully fulfill their role, and their form changes.
We can learn a lot from a rock. A few years ago I would have laughed at this as utterly pitiful. But the more my mind expands, I begin to accept more.
A rock has no fear of us. No fear of death. It's form can change, but it is not insecure. It does not long for home, or food. The rock is not
attached to it's existance as a rock. It simply helps to make up the world that we exist on. It fulfills it's duty flawlessly.
What could be more intune with nature than a rock? It makes up nature!
How about a plant? A plant simply moves towards nourishment. It takes from nature, and it gives. It exists in harmony with nature.
Look at animals, they don't need excess. They take what is nessicery. They evolve to survive. They dont' need things to survive. They don't fear
death, or need things to be happy. Domestic animals may long for a pat on the head or a treat, but that is simply our insecurity projected onto the
creature.
Now, look at us, the single most insecure entities on earth., yet supposedly the most evolved. Those of us who have the most, need even more to be
happy and content. If the power goes out for a few minutes, or if traffic is heavier than expected, or if we trip walking up the stairs, or if the
coffee is cold, or if we miss our favorite program, our whole day could be ruined. We certainly need a lot to be happy anymore. We are constantly
awaiting happiness. A thing that will never come. We look outside for fulfillment instead of inside.
We should take a lesson from a rock, and stop being such children.
Take a lesson from the bear who doesn't need heat to sleep in the cold.
We are so content in our superiority. This world is ours, yet we constantly destroy it. But the worst thing is, that we know better, but don't care.
An animal only need learn a lesson once, but it seems, even though history repeats, we, the most evolved creatures on this planet still have not yet
learned.
Perhaps if we lose all of our precious technology and power we may remember our place in this world, not as it's rulers, but it's caretakers. What
will it take for us to finally learn? Or will we have to be purged from the land?
Only time will tell.
But until we wake up.
Don't be so proud to be a human being.