Animal Voices ~ Table of Contents

 

INTRODUCTION: The Web 

Part One:    Through the Unknown, Remembered Gate

 

Chapter 1  ~ The Journey Home 

This chapter begins with recognizing our telepathic link with animals, nature and the web of life.  A brief look at J. Allen Boone and the modern movement to connect “mind to mind” with animals is presented, along with stories of how various animal communicators began their journey.  As communicators are a fairly well-educated group (including psychotherapists, scientists, biologists, teachers, even a former attorney), one might ask: what are these intelligent, professional people doing talking with animals?  The chapter also explores why our link to the animal world is important at this point in time and how it may influence human as well as planetary evolution. 

 

Chapter 2  ~  How Does It Work? 

What is telepathy and how do humans receive messages from animals?  Discussion is interspersed with stories regarding the nuts and bolts of how humans receive images, thoughts, words and feelings from animals ~ 

Chapter 3  ~  Beginning with Birds 

One morning as I was working on this book, a flock of finches came to my window and began talking to me.  Could this be real?  I knew other people could talk to animals, but surely not me!  A personal account of my first experience in animal communication sets the stage for looking at self-doubt and the many fears that accompany opening to new paradigms, especially ones that challenge our worldview.

   

Chapter 4  ~  Fear, Filters and Finding the Neutral Zone   

Can fear be a signal that we’re ready to venture beyond our current version of reality? This chapter explores the collective fears we face in opening to animal communication, along with personal and cultural filters and the paradox of how one can experience what is beyond one’s filter (worldview) while still making use of that filter.  The neutral zone refers to centering in a space wherein one is relatively clear of personal prejudices and expectations – a prerequisite to unfiltered animal communication.

 

Chapter 5  ~  The Jump

The central credo among animal communicators is that talking to animals is real and everyone – yes, even you – can do it.  This chapter blends general discussion with some humorous stories regarding how humans “jump” from self-doubt to self-trust.  Also explored is the idea that by opening to animals, we open to the deeper layers of ourselves.  In short, the jump is all about coming home.

Part Two: Many Roads for Traveling Souls

Chapter 6  ~  Jing: Why a Buddhist Monk Becomes a Parrot 

The story of Jing, an African Grey parrot who lived with communicator, teacher and writer, Jane Hallander.  After being captured in Africa and brought to North America to be sold as a pet, Jing “awakened” upon meeting Jane.  In working with Jane, Jing remembered her past life as a Buddhist monk and her decision to return as an animal in order to help awaken humanity.  Included is a lively discussion of karma,  predator/prey consciousness and advice for humans from a very articulate bird.

 

Chapter 7 ~  Bears: A dog who became a bear, a dog who was a  bear, & Spirit of Polar Bear

Three stories about bears, beginning with Hannah, a dog who died and related to her communicator friend that she had become a polar bear.  Hannah discusses her feeling that some animal species are taking on specific tasks as the earth shifts and changes.   Max, a black Lab, shares his story of life as a mother black bear. Finally, Spirit of Polar Bear addresses the importance of different animals carrying specific “medicines” or teachings.

 

Chapter 8  ~  Violet: On Being a Cat and Lightworker                           

A Siamese cat named Violet discusses her past lives as a cat and her present focus in helping humans to evolve on spiritual levels.  “When I look at a human, I see an opportunity for transformation,” says Violet, “the awakening of a spirit to know that the Earth is holy, that all life is equally holy, and that we must share in our love for each other and for the Earth, and take care of each other and the Earth.”  Discussion is presented in a three-way interview format, and focuses largely on past and future lives, the telepathic cat connection, and how humans can open more to awareness.  

 

Chapter 9  ~  Past Lives, Future Lives And Living in the Now 

As communicator and teacher Penelope Smith notes, reincarnation is a “connecting thread” and the purpose of various lives – no matter the form – is to learn from one’s experiences.  This chapter explores past, present and future lives all experienced in the here and now.  Many stories are presented in this chapter, most about shifting our perceptions on death and dying.  Also included is a discussion on the nature of time, simultaneous lives, multidimensional realities, and the grand question of what is real.

 

Chapter 10  ~  Echo: On Ecstasy, Elevating Consciousness & The Equine Form 

"Humans are beings of love who have forgotten what love is and who they are,” says Echo, an Arabian mare.  Echo defines herself as “a being of light who has chosen to experience the equine form in this lifetime.”  In discussion with communicator Nedda Wittels and myself, Echo speaks about soul consciousness, her connections with other lightbeings, and the implications of karmic arrangements.

Part Three:  A Question of Perspective

Chapter 11  ~  Moving Past the Comfort Zone

What happens when we receive information from an animal that pushes the limits of our belief system?  How far can one’s personal comfort zone be stretched?  How do we really know what is real?  These are some of the questions explored as a dolphin and a dog present information from outside the communicator’s accepted belief system. This chapter explores what fits and what doesn’t fit within our belief system and how we might move beyond the limits of our comfort zone. 

 

Chapter 12  ~  Beyond Karma and Back      

“The dog form itself is just an illusion; it really doesn’t have much consciousness.  The only thing that enlivens this body is the spirit.  The spirit has awareness of the matter.”  So says Zak, a dog who speaks about his existence from outside the realm of karma.  This chapter includes an in-depth interview with Zak. Among the subjects touched are the obstacles of New Age thinking, the nature of karma and time, and what it’s like to be a dog.  

 

Chapter 13  ~  The Innernet                                       

This chapter explores the use of patterns and recurring images as a means of accessing holographic thought.  The computer is used as a key metaphor, providing an example of how humanity outwardly manifests that which already exists within.  Just as innate telepathic connections are reflected back to us through our use of such mechanical devices as televisions and telephones, our “Innernet” link-up to the web of life is reflected in the World Wide Web and Internet.  The chapter also looks at the idea that animals can access our files in communicating with us, just as we can access the files of others, and that one way we make sense of the world is through our own inner software.

Part Four:  The Call for Transformation 

Chapter 14  ~  Buddy, Ellie and Ancestor Horse: Welcome to Knowing       

This chapter features discussions with a horse named Buddy, Ellie (Buddy’s mate), and Ancestor Horse, a spirit horse who speaks through Buddy.  As it was Buddy who introduced me to long distance communication, this chapter explores both that experience and how it is possible that communicators can speak to animals hundreds of miles away.  Ellie speaks on the nature of beauty and Ancestor Horse on the nature of time. 

 

Chapter 15  ~  Miracle & Manifestation Made Real   

In 1994, an all-white female buffalo calf was born in Wisconsin.  Believed by many to be the return of White Buffalo Calf Woman, the calf named Miracle received worldwide attention for a short period of time.  Many did not understand the Lakota Sioux legend, which stated the buffalo calf would turn the four colors of humankind and thus usher in a new age of harmony and accelerated spiritual unfolding.  This chapter includes two interviews with Miracle from different communicators.  Miracle speaks about her role as a living prophecy and the importance of the Native American community in the world today.   

 

Chapter 16  ~  The Role of Llamas, Holders of the Light

This chapter features an interview with two llamas from a 16-member llama herd, and looks at the differences between herd consciousness and individual consciousness as well as how specific species may take on planetary jobs.  The llamas maintain their species was designed to parallel the path of human Tibetan Lamas, and that they are here “as spiritual leaders for the land animals on the Earth.”  

 

Chapter 17  ~  Dolphins, Whales & The Multidimensional Now      

Among those who live with cetaceans (particularly dolphins and whales) is the feeling that this group is a nation onto themselves.  Some add that if we want to meet aliens, all we have to do is go to the waters.  Briefly noted are stories about the Dogon and the connection of whales to the star system Sirius and the earth.  Leading cetacean communicators discuss dolphins and whales as key players in our evolution, persistently urging humans to move into the fullness of our multidimensional being.

 

Chapter 18  ~  The Cetacean Nation

Dolphin and whale tales are again predominant in this chapter.  We hear from the cetaceans themselves as the dolphins call for us to enjoy life, play and love ourselves more, and the whales sound for a booming, earth-deep love.  Granny, an Orca whale, is interviewed in this chapter.  She speaks about time, earth shifts and multidimensionality.  Penelope Smith also shares her experience as she speaks to the whale energy.    

Part Five:  Into The Shadow 

Chapter 19  ~  Animals in Captivity 

While it’s great to see whales and dolphins as reflections of our expanded capabilities, what do animals in zoos, circuses and other forms of captivity reflect to us? What do we do to ourselves when we capture any animal and force that consciousness to live inside a cage?  This chapter explores various facets of captivity, along with the notion that it is easier to be in outrage at other species in captivity than face and acknowledge our own inner captivity. 

 

Chapter 20  ~  Pets

Though it's not often a stretch to view a tiger pacing in a small, cramped cage as a prisoner, what about fish in an aquarium, a hamster in an exercise wheel, or a snake in a glass cage who can never rub his belly against the earth?  What do we do to our beloved pets when we keep them captive?  While some animals do not wish to live with humans, others most certainly do.  What does the shadow side of pet ownership reflect to us?

 

Chapter 21  ~  Pests

This chapter focuses on a deeper exploration of the ways in which animals help us to see that which is disowned and denied within the self.  A look at flies reveals how we have unthinkingly bought into a cultural projection and prejudice against insects.  A talk with a wild rat points out that animals have lives of their own and that a view of any animal as one that simply exists to annoy us is both ignorant and small. 

 

Chapter 22  ~ In Quest of Learning: Animal Research & Human Education 

This chapter further explores captivity.  A group of fish currently living in a SeaLife Center share their thoughts.  Communicator Dr. Jeri Ryan interviews a primate at a university lab and a rat in a pharmaceutical company, both used for research.  The interviews explore the spiritual purpose and meaning experienced by animals as well as their thoughts on the humans who work with them.  A deva who oversees research testing in animals also contributes some thought-provoking comments.

 

Chapter 23  ~  Animals Eating Animals: The Predator/Prey Relationship

Still in shadow country, this chapter explores the nature of animals eating animals.  Interviews include the group consciousness of chickens (most notably, those  killed in Hong Kong in the early 1998 “Bird Flu” scare) and the group consciousness of cows (the major aspect of that talk being “Mad Cow” disease).  Though neither group of animals request that humans stop eating meat, both the chickens and cows ask humanity to be more aware of the manner in which we kill, prepare and ingest our food.  The dark and lively dance of the predator/prey relationship is also explored, as well as an interview with two cats and a horse regarding the nature of stalking, hunting and prayer.

Part Six:  Shadow and Beyond 

Chapter 24  ~  Exploring Shadowland

Lunar, an outspoken cat and self-proclaimed shadowwalker, shares his unusual treatise on the shadow.  Lunar reminds the reader that “not all wants to become light” and encourages us all to see the value of the shadow.  This chapter looks to the energy behind the forces of light and dark, and questions whether the scenario of Light battling Dark is, in fact, a defense against the chaotic nature of unresolved shadow material.

 

Chapter 25  ~  Animal Spirits: Coyote, Jaguar, and Crow

Diana Roth, a retired chemist for the state of Florida, is the unlikely human link to a web page maintained entirely by Animal Spirits. In separate interviews, Coyote speaks to the importance of humor in spirituality and the need for humans to “drop the mask” as we open up to a larger awareness of who we really are.  Jaguar speaks about understanding the Shadow as we move in transformation.  And Crow speaks about finding the splintered pieces of our soul, most especially those aspects of ourselves that we fear and hide away.  All three animal spirits urge humans to see fear as an “unlearned lesson.”

 

 

Chapter 26  ~  The Mosquito Story

Nearing the end of the book and quite pleased with how many different animals I had spoken with and the variety of subjects discussed, I asked the question, “What else could weird me out?”  Enter a tiny mosquito to the scene, one who was quite happy to answer my question with an outrageously strange story.  This chapter explores how we might honor and make sense of the bewildering messages that sometimes come to us in unexpected ways. 

 

Chapter 27  ~  When All the World Is Wise

Who are we really talking to when we receive messages of profound wisdom from an animal?  Is the knowledge of the universe really contained in every being?  A number of animals hint that the wisdom we receive from them is none other than our own.  Would humans be so ready to share this information, however, if they didn’t have the projection that the wisdom is coming from an animal?  Is the animal communication movement a gift from the animals to us at this particular time in our collective human development?  Both humans and animals present some surprising answers.

Part Seven:  Remembering The Sacred Web

Chapter 28  ~  Recalling the Song

What does it mean to recall our songs (our ancient stories), and how do we use this information to move more consciously into the future?  This chapter investigates some of the treasures that are buried beneath the surface of things and how this particular time in our evolution encourages us to dig deep and reconnect in a more conscious way with the web of life.

 

Chapter 29  ~  Zak’s Chapter: Finding Your Truth

Zak, one thoughtful, insightful and humorous dog, is the sole author of this chapter, which focuses on the quest to find our truth.  “The journey of truth is actually to begin to lose preconceptions, beliefs, ideas and, most especially, thought.  So, it is first of all a journey of death,” says Zak.  Animal communication offers a step out of duality, notes Zak, as humans begin to experience more fully (and more consciously) our oneness with all life on earth.

 

Chapter 30  ~  Closet Doors and Spirit Dust

This chapter offers a short, personal summary of what I have learned through the experience of opening to animals and the writing this book.  The chapter ends with an unexpected and yet quite remarkable story about a moth and two moth myths.

"Inbetweens"

Over 100 animals contributed interviews, thoughts, stories, jokes and even poems to the creation of this book. Many of these shorter messages are included as "inbetweens" or transitions between chapters. Lions speak about power; manatees address the nature of gentleness and vulnerability; a snake comments on judgment.  Elephants, horses, a flying insect and an ostrich all contribute their insight, as do wolves, a turtle, and a spider.  While these stories serve to link chapters within the book, each is complete in itself.  

 

Chapter Notes

 

Bibliography

 

Appendix :  Getting Started:  How To Make Contact 

Several short exercises are included here, as well as a number of suggestions and tips from various communicators on talking to animals.  While this is not an in-depth “how to” section, it will provide a starting off point for readers who are interested in making contact with animals, and offers tips for those who are already familiar with animal communication techniques.