Can imagination change our perception?
Do you have a Spirit Animal? I don't.
There has been a lot of talk in the last decade about figuring out our spirit animal, and while I am into all things Spirit, the number of times I felt called to go down this road was zero.
It’s unlikely that my white middle class ancestors were wandering the plains looking for guidance from their animal (I don’t want to even think about what they were doing on those plains, but I digress). The Indigenous people I have had the opportunity to work with have been very forthcoming in sharing their thoughts on the importance of getting information this way. They suggested I give it a try but, even with their permission, I didn’t. However, I recently came across a simple exercise that I found very powerful. It made me realize that the Indigenous folks likely, once again, are onto something!
Recently, while reading Dr. Lisa Miller's book, The Awakened Brain, I came across an interesting visualization exercise that blew my socks off when I tried it. Dr. Miller says:
Twentieth century views of the mind describe imagination as something we construct. Imagination is invention. Make believe. But in awakened awareness, imagination is not an act of creation so much as an act of perception - a way of detecting information…When we engage in guided imaging, we can perceive information that is highly therapeutic, useful or directive.
Dr. Miller suggests this simple, age-old visualization as a tool for self-discovery:
Close your eyes and use long, steady breathing to quiet your mind.
Clear out your inner space. Then, invite an animal, and watch to see who comes. Once they show up ask, “What say you?”
Immediately a mouse came to me, a real mouse not a cartoon one. Weird. I am not afraid of mice, nor do I like them. Mouse is totally neutral to me. I could’ve seen a frog showing up (I am very frightened of frogs) or a lion – I mean I’m a Leo, of course I want the lion. But a little grey mouse?
It said to me “DON’T KEEP QUIET!”
This strange, short little exercise was so very powerful for me that I can still feel it many weeks later. The outcome was completely unexpected.
To me a mouse can be a very powerful creature. I grew up on childhood cartoons of the little mouse frightening the big elephant. I have seen grown adults stand on chairs to avoid a tiny mouse. While I never wish to have this kind of ‘power’ I am a small human (literally & figuratively) examining her family of origin, her culture of upbringing and what she has brought to her own family. Some of it is not pretty. This effort requires personal power.
I am working on developing my writing in a style that is absolutely true to me, constantly striving to overcome my fear of what others will think. This effort requires personal power.
I want to show up as a good human. Some days this effort requires personal power.
I have found, time and again, that deep insight arrives in the most unexpected ways. An imaginary mouse, telling me what it wants me to know….I couldn’t have dreamed that up.
Science is a wonderful thing but we don’t know how spirit works, we don’t know how imagination works and we don’t know how our unconscious mind works. I’m up for exploring it all.
Are you going to give it a try? Take the time to see what the animal wants you to know, you might be amazed. Either way, however you choose to get your information may the spirit of what is trying to get your attention guide you on your path.
Let me know in the comments what animal showed up for you? Has it been around before and are you friends with it or is this a one time thing like it was for me?
Thank you, my friend, for being here. I appreciate it!
If you agree that I was a very brave little mouse to share this intimate story please hit the like heart at the bottom and be sure to subscribe so we meet again.
xo
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I really enjoyed this piece. I appreciate how open and vulnerable you were. I appreciate how you acknowledged that there is so much we don’t know - I too feel that way. And I appreciate that you invited us to engage in that mindful exercise for ourselves. A crocodile came to me which I did not expect at all - and it said “don’t give up - keep going”
Thank you 😊
I got a big strong horse galloping around. It said, don't whisper, SHOUT! Fascinating... 💜