MIND-BODY-SPIRIT
Animal Medicine and Holism... ...continued from page 23
growth and the lives of those around you. Reflect on the “eggs” you are laying in your life and how they may shape your future. Animals of Fire Fire energy is ardent, enthusiastic, spontaneous, self-sufficient, cou - rageous, purifying, lusty, clashing, energizing, romantic, and it will become your teacher. It governs all transformation. Animals of fire teach us the power of tinder through mastery of their own skills. The element of fire serves as a common athanor, or alchemical furnace, that opens doors to the spiritual world. Lion — Observation Is Action The lion is traditionally described as “stalking” its prey, but that is a false human perception. Lions observe and track movements and changes. They don’t necessarily attack or strike, unless they are doing what nature naturally requires all of us to do — survive. That is the power of the lion. It is not its “royal” place in a made-up hierarchical system of “animal society.” The lion is a co-participant in the animal kingdom. Its role is to observe and match its unparalleled strength with an innate responsibility to share the terrain. Perhaps the distinction of power and strength in life is not empha- sized in its physical expression. Maybe it is the pause, hesitancy, or courage to hold back in certain times (or most times). Maybe it is sim - ply listening to animal languages to get to know other species without an alternative agenda, such as survival (or trade, for humans). Or pos - sibly, it is the general act of participating in life — to be in awe of the frame before you. Lion medicine is potent. Ask yourself: what do you seek to under- stand or want to become a part of? Sit with these questions, literally,
How do you surrender to life and meaning? Are you willing to accept healing at this moment? How do you feel about change? What are the things that you are willing to see change in your life? How do you prac - tice flow in your life? When you see a swan, they may be hinting for you to accept or acknowledge a transformation, and gently reminding you to remember your innate grace. In other words, be you and flow into it. Salmon (or any Fish) — The Gift of Life Salmon live to spawn. Once the female salmon covers the gravel nest that she has prepared with thousands of eggs, her body dies and be- comes nutrients for the ecosystem. In Vancouver, Canada, millions of salmon arrive at the rivers and lay eggs during the fall season. More than a hundred different types of animals feed on the salmon and their eggs to prepare for the winter; it is one of the largest migrations on the planet. Bears carry thousands of pounds of salmon into the forest. Up to 80 percent of the nitrogen in the trees comes from the body of the salmon. Their carcasses go back to the sea and become a feast for the eagles. The salmon not only feeds marine and terrestrial organisms, it gives life to the trees, the soil, and the inland island. Similarly, the herring lays eggs and creates a jewel-studded veil of new life: half a million eggs per square foot. Take a moment to contemplate the lesson we can learn from the salmon’s life cycle. Just as the salmon’s seemingly small act of laying eggs has a profound impact on the ecosystem, consider how your ac- tions, no matter how small they seem, can contribute to your personal
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{Day}, {Date}, [Time] [Your location for the ECK Light and Sound Service here] “As Soul, you have the God knowledge within you.”
“As Soul, you have the God knowledge within you.” —Sri Harold Klemp, the M ahanta , the Living ECK Master Join other like-hearted, everyday people who have discovered keys to having extraordinary experiences with the Divine! This one-hour gathering offers talks, music, and a contem- plative spiritual exercise using HU, an ancient mantra and sacred sound. Refreshments and conversation to follow. —Sri Harold Klemp, the Mahanta, the Living ECK Master Join other like-hearted people who are exploring keys to having extraordinary experiences with the Divine! Our one-hour gatherings feature lively spiritual discussion and contemplative exercises using HU, an ancient mantra and sacred sound. Additional conversation opportunities and refreshments are available after in-person meetings. Explore Your Spirituality from a New Perspective Join us for an ECKANKAR Soul Adventure in your local area: MD: eckankarmaryland.org VA: eck-va.org
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