The Soul of All Living Creatures

1. Our Deep Connection with Animals

The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different.

Innate human bond. From childhood companions like teddy bears to adult symbols like sports mascots, animals are deeply woven into the fabric of human life and psyche. This attraction goes beyond cultural programming or practical use; it's a profound, shared kinship recognized since ancient times, as seen in the vibrant cave paintings of Chauvet, where early humans depicted animals not out of fear, but to celebrate their vitality and connection. We are drawn to animals because we see ourselves reflected in them, finding a sense of belonging and acceptance.

Animals offer acceptance. In the presence of animals, we often feel free to lower our guard and be our true selves, without fear of judgment. This is why many people feel more heard and understood by their animal companions than by fellow humans, and why, in hypothetical scenarios, many would choose a pet over a person for lifelong companionship. This unconditional trust allows us to share our vulnerabilities and find comfort in their quiet attention, fostering a bond based purely on relationship.

Kinship transcends logic. The deep ties between humans and animals, like the one between the author and Pongo the dog, often defy rational explanation. It wasn't medical skill but simple caring that helped Pongo recover, highlighting the power of connection. This inherent kinship stirs our spirit, enabling us to transcend perceived limitations and become more than we believe possible, starting by looking outward to the animals around us.

2. Cultivating Sensitivity to Others' Perspectives

Every species that exists has adapted their senses to view the world from a different perspective, unique from all others.

Perception shapes experience. Our senses provide only a fragment of the world's reality; each species perceives the world through its own unique filters, like bats hearing sounds we can't or dogs smelling aromas we're oblivious to. To be truly sensitive, we must step outside our own perspective and acknowledge the inherent limits of our senses, recognizing that others, both human and animal, experience the world in fundamentally different ways.

Empathy requires effort. Understanding another's viewpoint, like trying to imagine smelling the world as a dog does or seeing colors differently as a cat does, requires conscious effort. The ancient parable of the blind men and the elephant illustrates how limiting our experience to only what we perceive prevents us from grasping the whole picture. Sensitivity is an ongoing process of reaching beyond our own understanding to embrace another's outlook.

Animals model awareness. Animals, like Sabrina the cat reacting to Mia's overwhelming affection or Belinda the cat keenly sensing a mouse sixty feet away, demonstrate a heightened state of awareness and responsiveness to their environment and others. By observing their sensitivity, we are challenged to notice more of what our own senses reveal and to consider the world from fresh perspectives, enriching our own experience and fostering greater empathy.

3. Embracing Mindfulness in the Present Moment

Tasting the strawberry is the essence of mindfulness: embracing this moment for all that it offers.

Be fully present. Mindfulness is the practice of being attentive to the present moment, observing our internal and external experiences without judgment. It calls us to be "all here," giving our full attention to the opportunity before us, rather than being distracted by worries about the past or future.

Animals live mindfully. Animals, like Dougal the dog intensely focused on chasing reflections or Katie the dog absorbed in the moment at breakfast, naturally embody mindfulness. They respond to what is happening now, using their senses to make sense of their immediate world. This contrasts with the human tendency to filter out much of the present, often lost in thought about past regrets or future anxieties.

Presence enriches life. The Zen tale of the villager and the strawberry highlights how even in the face of imminent danger, embracing the present moment can reveal unexpected sweetness and richness. Animals, through their example, remind us to stop, notice, and appreciate the details of our immediate experience – the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings – making our lives fuller and more grounded.

4. Choosing Responsiveness Over Reaction

Responsiveness is a quality of being by which we choose an action or feeling as a result of perceiving a stimulus either within or outside of ourselves.

Response versus reaction. Reacting is often impulsive and instinctive, driven by immediate stimuli, while responding involves awareness, introspection, and forethought. Both are natural, but responsiveness implies a conscious choice based on perception, rather than an automatic reflex.

Animals respond thoughtfully. Animals, like Yaku the ocelot choosing to hide from a perceived threat or the ocelot in Ecuador pausing her hunt to avoid a jaguar, demonstrate thoughtful responsiveness. They take in their circumstances, weigh options, and consider consequences before acting, even if their perception of the stimulus differs from our human understanding. Their actions, though sometimes appearing counterintuitive to us, are often reasonable responses from their perspective.

Trusting instinct. The author's experience with the junior surgery dogs highlights the ethical choices involved in responsiveness, even in difficult situations. Yaku's behavior, though baffling, was a response to something real for him. We, too, must choose what we respond to, trusting our instincts and judgment, and risking action rather than avoidance, as animals often do, to make a real difference in our lives and the lives of others.

5. Understanding Expressivity Beyond Words

Man himself cannot express love and humility by external signs, so plainly as does a dog, when with drooping ears, hanging lips, flexuous body, and wagging tail, he meets his beloved master.

Communication is multi-faceted. While humans heavily rely on words, both spoken and written, communication involves a rich tapestry of signals beyond language. Animals, like wolves using a spectrum of vocalizations and subtle body language or dogs with their varied tail wags and facial expressions, communicate through gestures, postures, touch, and even scent.

Nonverbal cues are powerful. Extensive research shows that a significant portion of human communication occurs nonverbally. Facial expressions, body posture, eye contact, and tone of voice convey feelings instantly, often overriding the literal meaning of words. Focusing solely on words can lead to misunderstandings and fail to convey the full depth of our inner world.

Animals model clear expression. Animals, like Murray the dog clearly signaling his discomfort or the 52 hertz whale singing his unique song, demonstrate expressivity through their entire being. By observing them, we are reminded to pay attention to our own nonverbal signals and to claim all the ways we communicate, ensuring our intentions are clearly conveyed and fostering deeper connections with others.

6. The Power of Adaptability in a Changing World

Adapting always begins with us, when we first shift in our perspective.

Adaptation is ongoing. Adaptation is the continuous process of adjusting to a changing world, requiring flexibility and a willingness to alter our actions, thoughts, or feelings. It's not a fixed goal but an evolving journey, like a boat constantly correcting its course across the ocean.

Animals embrace change. Animals, from migrating hummingbirds to gibbons adjusting to zoo crowds, demonstrate remarkable adaptability. They adjust their plans according to each situation, accepting change as a natural part of life. Baxter the cat, despite his FHS, adapted gracefully to his changing environment and physical challenges, finding comfort in connection.

Adaptability is internal. The Korean folktale of Yuk On and the tiger's whisker illustrates that the power to adapt lies within ourselves, not in changing others or external circumstances. By shifting our own perspective and taking courageous action, like Yuk On taming the tiger through patience and compassion, we can navigate challenges and open ourselves to new ways of being, just as animals do by trusting their instincts and adjusting to their reality.

7. Living with Integrity and Wholeness

Integrity is a state of being whole and undiminished.

Integrity requires honesty. Living with integrity means being honest about our needs and wishes and fulfilling them through our actions. When we deny ourselves basic needs or compromise our highest values, we diminish our lives and lose our sense of wholeness.

Balance is essential. Like the spokes of a wheel representing different needs (health, work, relationships, creativity, spirituality), integrity requires attending to all parts of our lives to maintain balance. Neglecting one area, even for seemingly good reasons, can throw the entire wheel out of alignment, leading to imbalance and a diminished state of being, as seen in animals whose environments limit their natural behaviors.

Stewardship of self. We are stewards of our own lives, responsible for honoring what fulfills us most. Animals, like Sakari the clouded leopard struggling in a barren enclosure or Pandora and Persephone thriving with environmental enrichment, highlight how external constraints and opportunities impact well-being. By recognizing where we limit ourselves and creating opportunities for fulfillment, we can strive towards integrity and care for every part of our whole being.

8. Practicing Forgiveness as a Permanent Attitude

Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.

Forgiveness is for ourselves. While often perceived as pardoning another, forgiveness is fundamentally about releasing our own hurt, blame, and resentment to restore our sense of relationship, well-being, and peace of mind. Holding onto past wounds, like the younger monk carrying the woman across the river long after the elder had set her down, negatively impacts our emotional and physical health.

Animals model letting go. Animals, like Maurice the Bengal cat repeatedly returning to his brother despite aggression or Katie the dog quickly moving past the author's frustration, demonstrate a remarkable capacity for forgiveness. They prioritize the continuity of relationships and the present moment over dwelling on past conflicts or injuries, readily returning to connection and affection.

Choosing relationship. Animals' ability to "give as before" after a slight or injury is not indifference but a skillfulness at moving past struggles to live in the present. They model an attitude of forbearance and patience, reminding us that despite human frailty and the pain of past moments, we can choose to overlook insults and prioritize the enduring value of relationships.

9. Finding Fulfillment Through Presence

Now is the one time that is important.

The power of now. The parable of the king and the hermit reveals that the most important time is always the present moment, as it is the only time we have agency. The most important person is the one before us now, and the most important action is to do that person good.

Animals are fully present. Animals, like Murphy the bloodhound maintaining awareness during his aggressive fits or a gazelle and cheetah focused entirely on the hunt, naturally live fully in the present moment. They remember the past and anticipate the future but do not dwell on them, remaining acutely aware of themselves, others, and their environment.

Presence brings fulfillment. Murphy's ability to ensure the safety of others even in the height of his anxiety demonstrates the power of presence. By focusing our attention on the moment, working with circumstances rather than against them, we embrace life's offerings and find fulfillment. Animals, through their inherent presence, serve as a constant reminder to be fully engaged in the here and now.

Last updated: May 31, 2025