My Blog

Are We Evolving as a Species to Vegetarianism/Veganism?

09/07/2011 21:16:00

This might seem like a ridiculous question to many of you who are still ridiculed or misunderstood for being a vegetarian, but I believe it is a distinct possibility.

We have all become vegetarians/vegans for a variety of reasons. For some it is because you can no longer eat fellow sentient beings; others cannot deal with the system of bringing animals to slaughter in this country or the treatment of animals in the process of providing human food; others still have health reasons for making this switch. My partner has a kidney disease and her nephrologist recommended an immediate change to a vegetarian diet. His exact words were “animal protein is toxic to our kidneys”.

But regardless of why we are vegetarians/vegans we are usually surrounded in our lives by carnivores. Most carnivores do not understand at all the concept of not eating animal flesh regardless of the reasoning. When you do engage carnivores in this discussion they almost always turn to the argument that the “human animal”, being at the top of the food chain, needs to eat meat to survive. It is not healthy for humans to only eat vegetation. We are not omnivores they will say. We are carnivores.

Well I will give them the argument that we have been carnivores. But I am not willing to surrender the future to the carnivores. Yes as we came through the evolutionary continuum to be who we are today, eating the flesh of our fellow beings was essential to our survival. However I would maintain that it is no longer. Protein is essential to the survival of the human race, but animal protein is not. I would suggest that we as a species have evolved to the point where we not only can survive on vegetable protein, but we can thrive. Soy protein in particular provides us with all the nutrients we need or could get from animal protein. The production of soy into a wide variety of vegetable proteins means you can have a great tasting no meat burgers, corn dogs, hot dogs, chicken, fried chicken, turkey; even a soy based corned beef that you can make into an incredible Reuben. The capacity to provide the world with 100% vegetable protein that tastes good and contains the nutrients we need is here today.

It is not a matter of whether we have evolved physically and creatively enough to stop eating other sentient beings. It is a matter of social and political will. It is a matter of education. Certainly I am not suggesting it is an easy evolution on the cultural and political level, just that it is possible. A great spiritual and religious leader understood this as well as The Buddha’s message to the modern world about meat is simple:” Don’t eat it”.

Animals are people too!

08/28/2011 14:48:00

I believe that all sentient beings have the same innate rights to life, freedom and pursuit of their life mission. I believe that all sentient beings have a mission. Whether we are talking about a human, a cat or a praying mantis, all have a mission and all have an innate right to pursue it without threat of harm or containment. My experiences with interspecies communication has intensified this belief. You can't communicate this way with animals and then eat them.
But even though I believe this with my whole heart, and I support the Declaration of Animal Rights, I struggle living it out. Are you own companion animals free to pursue their life’s mission? Do you eat animals? Do you use or wear leather? If you don’t eat animals are you vegan? No dairy, no eggs.

I struggle with these things every day even though I completely support the animal rights. Here are my challenges:

Being a vegetarian but not vegan. I try to get eggs from friends with free range chickens or I buy only free range, vegetarian fed chicken eggs.
I eat cheeses made from milk despite knowing some of what the cows go through to provide it. I am trying to move to Soy Milk but it is a process.
I wear leather shoes because of some physical disabilities and limited income that prevents me from buying higher quality non leather shoes. I REALLY struggle with this. I hate using leather at all.
Are my animal companions free? I think they are, but are they? They tell me they are where they need to be.

What are your challenges? Do you go to zoos or Sea World? Do you rescue? Transport rescues? What do you do to live out your commitment and how do you deal with the areas where you fall short?

You CAN talk to your animals.

06/21/2011 13:02:00

Is animal communication a gift? Can anyone do it? Can you learn to do it? Can only certain people with "the gift" do it? Is it something "others" can do but not you?

Well the answer to all these questions is everyone can do it. "psychic ability" is not a special gift. Intuition is not something to scoff at or relegate to "women's intuition". It does take putting aside our skepticism, our "empirical" mindset, our left brainitis. It is a right brain function. And like any other skill it takes practice, practice, practice.

So how do you start? By "listening". Listening is in and of itself a skill and one many in the western world do not have in the same abundance that those in the eastern world do. Listening is a major component in meditation. Another activity that the eastern world is much more familiar with than we in the west are. Have an open mind and set aside your preconceived notions about "telepathy".

Can you do that? Can you "listen"? Can you learn to meditate? Can you set aside your skepticism about "telepathy"? If you can then you can begin.

The first step is to put yourself in a meditative state. Find a comfortable quiet place to sit or lie down. Close your eyes Breathe deeply. If you are not used to meditation you can use a guided meditation cd. These can be found in any cd section or on line. Quiet yourself so that you are ready to listen. Open your mind so you are ready to receive.

Once you are really relaxed and open, picture in your mind the animal you want to talk to. Look deeply into their eyes. Look into their soul. Then still imagining them call their name three times as you imagine their name landing on their back. Ask permission to speak with them. Respect for the animal you want to talk with is critical. EX: "Megan, Megan, Megan are you there? May I speak with you?"

Then LISTEN>RECEIVE>BE OPEN>

You may "hear" your animal respond in your mind like talking to yourself.

You may "see" an image of the animal in your mind.

You may "feel" the animal near you.

You may "just know" that the animal is responding.

But don't be surprised if the animal is surprised that YOU can hear THEM. Most animals long a go gave up on humans re-member-sing the telepathic means of communication.

Now you have started and it is important to get validation. So you will want to talk with an animal other than your own and ask a question you could not know the answer to. For instance when I was first training, I ask the dog I was talking to what color her food bowl was. She said none. I was confused. I said do you mean it is white. She said no. None. I said do you mean it is gray? She said NO! NONE. I said ok and told her human companion this. Her human companion laughed and said that is right. She has no bowl. I feed her on aluminum foil. Well every dog has a food bowl right? There was no way I could know or guess that she did not. I could only know it if she told me.

Then practice, practice, practice. Find books to read on telepathy and animal communication. Practice telepathy with people. Listen to cds or watch DVDs on animal communication. Take every opportunity to learn and to practice. Attend an introductory animal communication workshop like the one I am offering in the Indianapolis, Indiana area in Oct 2011.

(http://www.animaltalkwithjoni.com/Workshops-and-Lectures.html.) Or look for one in your area.

Remember - everyone CAN do this. You have to WANT to. You have to have an open mind. You DON'T have to believe when you begin. I didn't. But you do have to at least be open to the possibility. If you are, soon you will be happily conversing with your animal friends - "and they can talk with you!"

What Do You Do?

04/28/2011 19:34:00

What do you do when what you believe so strongly, when what you know in your heart to be true clashes so intensely with what someone you love deeply also believes and knows in her heart to be true?? What do you do??

What do you do when the rights of animals conflict with the rights of humans and you don’t believe that one species is more valuable than another??What do you do?

What do you do when the choice is between torturing pregnant monkeys, killing their children and perhaps making healthier human babies?? What do you do?

If you are an animal communicator you KNOW that animals have feelings, thoughts, ability to love, grieve, have souls even…..I KNOW this. It is not a “possibility”, it is not a “theory” or a “belief”. I know it. All animal communicators know it. I am not saying you have to be an animal communicator to “know it”. What I am saying is, if you are an AC you cannot NOT KNOW IT. It is your everyday reality.

So when someone you love dearly loses a child due to a birth defect; When someone you love even more suffers with that mother and believes that the good done by organizations that support animal research into birth defects, far outweighs the cost to the animal, what do you do?

What do you do? You can’t support it. But you can’t deny your loved ones pain and loss. Could the research have made a difference? Many legitimate scientists say yes. Many legitimate scientists say no. So what do you do?

I think you just struggle with it. Just be with it. You can’t support the organization with your dollars but you don’t judge your loved one for doing so, for actively raising money for said organization. You have to do what you believe to be right. So does she.

But do you talk about it with her? Do you enter that messy realm of emotions? Or do you just take the easy way out and not bring it up. What do you do?

I did the latter. But I struggle with it…if she brings it up I will share my belief and my “knowledge”. If not I will just let it be.

In the meantime I will support the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights.

· Inasmuch as there is ample evidence that many animal species are capable of feeling, we condemn totally the infliction of suffering upon our fellow creatures and the curtailment of their behavioral and other needs save where this is necessary for their own individual benefit.

· We do not accept that a difference in species alone (any more than a difference in race) can justify wanton exploitation or oppression in the name of science or sport, or for use as food, for commercial profit or for other human ends.

· We believe in the evolutionary and moral kinship of all animals and declare our belief that all sentient creatures have rights to life, liberty and natural enjoyment.

· We therefore call for the protection of these rights.

What would YOU Do?

ANIMAL COMMUNICATION AND MAINSTREAM RELIGION

01/06/2011 20:03:00

What do mainstream religions say about animal communication?

Well those who believe in the Catholic tradition have this story in their repertoire:

ST. FRANCIS AND THE WOLF:

While Francis was staying in that town he learned of a wolf so ravenous that it was not only killing and eating animals, but people, too. The people took up arms and went after it, but those who encountered the wolf perished at its sharp teeth. Villagers became afraid to leave the city walls.

Francis had pity on the people and decided to go out and meet the wolf. He was desperately warned by the people, but he insisted that God would take care of him. A brave friar and several peasants accompanied Francis outside the city gate. But soon the peasants lost heart and said they would go no farther.

Francis and his companion began to walk on. Suddenly the wolf, jaws agape, charged out of the woods at the couple. Francis made the Sign of the Cross toward it. The power of God caused the wolf to slow down and to close its mouth.

Then Francis called out to the creature: “Come to me, Brother Wolf. In the name of Christ, I order you not to hurt anyone.” At that moment the wolf lowered its head and lay down at St. Francis’ feet, meek as a lamb.

St. Francis explained to the wolf that he had been terrorizing the people, killing not only animals, but humans who are made in the image of God. “Brother Wolf,” said Francis, “I want to make peace between you and the people of Gubbio. They will harm you no more and you must no longer harm them. All past crimes are to be forgiven.”

The wolf showed its assent by moving its body and nodding its head. Then to the absolute surprise of the gathering crowd, Francis asked the wolf to make a pledge. As St. Francis extended his hand to receive the pledge, so the wolf extended its front paw and placed it into the saint’s hand. Then Francis commanded the wolf to follow him into town to make a peace pact with the townspeople. The wolf meekly followed St. Francis.

By the time they got to the town square, everyone was there to witness the miracle. With the wolf at his side, Francis gave the town a sermon on the wondrous and fearful love of God, calling them to repent from all their sins. Then he offered the townspeople peace, on behalf of the wolf. The townspeople promised in a loud voice to feed the wolf. Then Francis asked the wolf if he would live in peace under those terms. He bowed his head and twisted his body in a way that convinced everyone he accepted the pact. Then once again the wolf placed its paw in Francis’ hand as a sign of the pact.

From that day on the people kept the pact they had made. The wolf lived for two years among the townspeople, going from door to door for food. It hurt no one and no one hurt it. Even the dogs did not bark at it. When the wolf finally died of old age, the people of Gubbio were sad. The wolf’s peaceful ways had been a living reminder to them of the wonders, patience, virtues and holiness of St. Francis. It had been a living symbol of the power and providence of the living God.

This is only one of several stories showing how St. Francis communicated with the animals and considered them as important as the humans he preached to.

Defying Gravity 1/4/11

01/04/2011 12:00:00

Defying gravity? Are you a fan of the Wizard of Oz? Have you seen the musical Wicked? What does any of that have to do with Interspecies Communication you ask? Well before Jan 1st I would have asked the same questions. But this morning, today my whole sense of the world of OZ is upside down and it has EVERYTHING to do with interspecies communication or rather the lack thereof.

If you have either read Gregory Maguire’s book or have seen the musical Wicked, you know that the entire plot of turning the main character Elphaba, against the Wizard of Oz and into the Wicked Witch of the West, revolves around a conflict with talking animals. But when our daughters took us to see Wicked for our Christmas gift, I had no idea. Imagine how it felt not knowing this and watching the plot unfold as the character you have known all your life as the “Wicked” Witch of the West begins as a crusader to save the animals ability to talk with humans – to save the animals from becoming “less than”.

Gregory Maguire's Animals were highly conscious beings whose societal conflicts included travel restrictions, and various other forms of discrimination including “being seen and not heard”. Because of this the animals were slowly losing their ability to speak in the languages that humans could understand and were only able to make “animal sounds” and live in cages. The Wizard's regime confiscated property owned by Animals in order to finance the building of the Yellow Brick Road to unite the country, among other issues.

Dr. Dillamond wanted to prove that Animal and human consciousness were on the same level in order to discourage discrimination. With Elphaba's assistance, he worked on an "Extract of Biological Intention" as the basis of his proof.

A very classic stereotype for an oppressed people…but as you and I might know this is much more than a stereotype. It is the fate of animals in todays world. It is the fate of humans unable to hear or speak with those animals. It is an act of “defying gravity” in the eyes of most of the world to claim to be able to hear the animals.

As I pondered this and discussed it with my partner last evening, she reminded me that in human history the “witch” was closely associated with animals – with “familiars” and many “witches” could talk with the animals. Though it seems unintended by Maguire, this theme runs through Wicked just as well. Anyone seen as close to the earth, engaged in full communion with non-humans species, able to “talk” with those non humans, must be a witch! And witches of course must be wicked. Today instead of being wicked witches, we are delusional, frauds, ridiculous to think we actually talk with animals! So many things in “Wicked” hit so close to home.

So here is another “fable” that explains why there is such a gap between humanity and the rest of creation. Another version of “the fall” where a man is so proud and greedy, he sets up the animals as enemy of the humans. I believe that is in fact what happened one day so long ago. Whether it happened in the Garden of Eden or the Land of Oz, humanity chose to set itself apart from the rest of creation, to claim dominion over all. This is the “original sin” and we are still living with it.

But once you have known the deep deep joy of actually speaking with a member of another species, the awe of the glory of all creation, once you have done that you will never be the same again. For the rest of your life you will be “defying gravity”.

Animal Communicators and Ethics

12/29/2010 13:40:00

Code of Ethics For Interspecies Communicators

Formulated in 1990 by Penelope Smith

Our motivation is compassion for all beings and a desire to help all species understand each other better, particularly to help restore the lost human ability to freely and directly communicate with other species.

We honor those that come to us for help, not judging, condemning, or invalidating them for their mistakes or misunderstanding but honoring their desire for change and harmony.

We know that to keep this work as pure and harmonious as possible requires that we continually grow spiritually. We realize that telepathic communication can be clouded or overlaid by our own unfulfilled emotions, critical judgments, or lack of love for self and others. We walk in humility, willing to recognize and clear up our own errors in understanding others’ communication (human and non-human alike).

We cultivate knowledge and understanding of the dynamics of human, non-human, and interspecies behavior and relationships, to increase the good results of our work. We get whatever education and/or personal help we need to do our work effectively, with compassion, respect, joy, and harmony.

We seek to draw out the best in everyone and increase understanding toward mutual resolution of problems. We go only where we are asked to help, so that others are receptive and we truly can help. We respect the feelings and ideas of others and work for interspecies understanding, not pitting one side against another but walking with compassion for all. We acknowledge the things that we cannot change and continue where our work can be most effective.

We respect the privacy of people and animal companions we work with, and honor their desire for confidentiality.

Visit Penelop's website at www.animaltalk.net

"In the beginning..."

12/06/2010 14:51:00

Once upon a time, the creative force of love hovered over the chaos of the universe and said, “Let there be life”. And the universe shuttered and heaved, rocked and rolled and Life was born. Life came in many forms and many varieties, but all life was intelligent, beautiful and good. Life took up space in the universe and all Life lived in unison with each other, the four legged, the two legged, those who could fly, those who slithered across the land, from humanoid to insectoid, all Life was in communion. All of Life could speak with each other in the spirit, from the heart. There was no hierarchy of Life. All was one and all was good.

Then something entered the heart of the humanoid and he began to feel he was above the other forms of life. Since he walked on two legs and since his intellectual and creative processes seemed to him to be different from other Life, he saw it as better and claimed dominion over all he could see. Then the Creative Force of Love said “Oh no. This is not good. This is not as I had hoped. Now Life will be divided and no longer in communion. Now many forms and varieties of Life will not be able to commune freely with the humanoid form. But there will always be some humans who remember….who attempt to re-member the union of all Life. Hopefully these will grow in number and teach those who have forgotten. And their number will continue to grow and I will be with them, until all of Life re-members and we have communion again.”

This is my Genesis, my story of creation, the Garden of Eden, the Fall from Grace, the Tower of Babel and the origin of our separation from the rest of creation. This is why for so long so few could “talk with the animals”. But it seems that we are now in a time of re-membering. We have a chance to bring the communion of Life back into being for all. We also have the chance to destroy it all forever. That is our choice in this time. I for one will choose Life and have been blessed over the last 15 years with a chance to re-member how to hear our fellow beings on this earth through what is usually called “Animal Communication” or “Interspecies Communication”. There have always been those who remained open and could hear the animal/insect world. Who could hear the trees and grasses sing. There have always been the stories and spirituality of so many indigenous peoples all over the globe of communion with the animal spirits and family, of the unity of Life. And within the “major” religions of the world, there have always been those same beliefs, even if they are pushed to the edges of those religions/spiritualities. Buddha forbade his followers to cause any harm to other life forms, forbade them to eat animals or cause them suffering in any way. Jesus proclaimed “the rocks and stones themselves will start to sing.” Within my own Judeo-Christian tradition we find Francis of Assisi communion telepathically with the animals and discussing spirituality and preaching to them. Teihard de Charden, a major Catholic theologian, wrote often of the communion of all life and the sacredness of what humans considered “profane”. He believed that animate and inanimate things all had souls, all had spirits, all were a part of the communion if we would only re-member it.