RE: Nature and the Natural World

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RE: Nature and the Natural World

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RE: Nature and the Natural World - 9/10/2007 8:51:17 AM

Imenuff

Posts: 810
Joined: 3/23/2007
Status: offline

Dear Sally, thank you for this post and especially

quote:

you helped me see how I often make (false) distinctions about the value of other beings, usually based on my own misperception about their relatedness - or not- to me personally.

As I was going to walk out my back door early this morning, a very large spider about 1 1/2 inches in size was spinning a web. First response--get the bug spray. It immediately went away after being sprayed and your post came to mind. The sun had just come up and because the web was wet from bug spray, it glistened in the early morning sun. The beauty and intricacy of the web touched the spirit within and fear of and violence toward a bug was replaced with wonder and awe at the gift it had created.

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Shalom(May you be at peace in Body, Mind,& Spirit)

I'menuff

Post #: 21

RE: Nature and the Natural World - 9/10/2007 3:26:02 PM

buttington

Posts: 2151
Joined: 6/9/2007
From: UK
Status: offline

Dear Sally, I love 99% of all animals, but cats are my passion. I once had 8, but am down to 3 now.

Buzzards are singled out because, some years ago, at a 'spiritual' group, we all did a guided meditation to 'meet' our spirit animal, which obviously, from the choice, represents a part of ourselves we wish to be or maybe need to be.

Beyond thinking eagles were pretty awsome, I didn't give birds of prey much thought. I thought that a rabbit or some other little furry thing would come up for me, because I have always been very shy and scared to 'come forward'. (I'm 80% cured now!) Actually, it didn't have to be an animal; it could be anything from nature, so perhaps a bluebell for me?

But an EAGLE???????? Surely not. They are brave, far-sighted and fearsome, beautiful creatures. Not a bit like me, but, of course, just what I needed. A golden eagle at that! And in my meditation it sat on top of a green mountain in Scotland and looked straight at me. I am very scared of heights, but I was there in spirit, and although I had never been to Scotland I later saw the exact scenery on TV.

The Golden eagle of my meditation has been immensely helpful and important in my transformation from the shy creature I had always been. I'm now much more my authentic self.

So.....my Buzzards are little eagles. We don't get eagles in the south of England I'm glad to say, because they would surely eat my little cats.

At this same spiritual group I learned to let go of my abhorrence of cats catching mice and rabbits and birds, which I also love. I still don't like it, but they are as nature made them. J

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Love is the only way

Post #: 22

RE: Nature and the Natural World - 9/10/2007 3:33:15 PM

buttington

Posts: 2151
Joined: 6/9/2007
From: UK
Status: offline

Dear Betty,
I used to be terrified of spiders until I saw a documentary about them on TV and was overwhelmed by their cleverness and ingenuity. And, as you say, the beauty of their webs. Over night the terror went. I still don't like the look of the big black house spiders, and they still make me jump, but I haven't killed one for over 30 years now. I get a cup and a piece of card, and bravely put them outdoors.

I can even watch in awe as they catch flies and wrap them up. Unless they are poisonous, our fear is very irrational. I have to say I haven't reached a point yet where I would be happy to have one walking on me!!!!

J

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Love is the only way

Post #: 23

RE: Nature and the Natural World - 9/10/2007 3:57:03 PM

staylor

Posts: 10
Joined: 9/28/2006
Status: offline

Spiders are so interesting! The Creek First Nations people of what is now called 'Oklahoma' tell the story of 'Grandmother Spider' who, of all the creatures was able to solve the difficulty of the darkness when the world was first created. No one was able to capture the sun to bring light to all, so she spun a web net, captured and brought back the sun, which gives all life light to this day.

Grandmother Spider...our experiences of whomever we call 'the other' seems to me don't need to change at all. Only the interpretation we bring to them may needs ome adjusting, just as a web becoming a thing of beauty.