At some point or the other, most of us have heard how animals are capable of teaching humans
a lot many things. That lesson in meditation you paid $150 for can be learned simply by observing
your pet. Confused?
Read on.
The first time I read Guardians Of Being: Spiritual Teachings From Our Dogs And Cats, I
realized it's never me taking my dog for a walk, but the contrary.
Guardians Of Being is a thin, 65-page book containing presence-radiating words by spiritual
teacher Eckhart Tolle and witty, thought-provoking illustrations by acclaimed comic strip creator
Patrick McDonnell. It might take you only 10 mins to complete reading it fully.
To begin understanding the word ‘Being’, one can say it’s synonymous with our understanding of
the idea of God. However, to say it’s exactly that will be limiting the former. Being is that sacred
space in Eckhart’s teachings where everything is born from, and to what everything returns. It’s
our original nature. Like it’s the bird’s nature to fly, and the sun’s nature to rise, it’s our nature to
be. In this book, Eckhart and Patrick walk us through tiny lessons that our pets teach us, and
which we so naively miss. Often what’s the easiest to catch is also what’s the most probable to
miss.
Here are 6 of my takeaways from the book on how our pets can teach us invaluable everyday
life lessons:
1) True Happiness Is Found In Simple, Seemingly Unremarkable Things
Remember that one time a dragonfly sat on your dog’s nose. Boop! Did you notice how happy
your dog was? Our pets teach us one of the most invaluable lessons ever- Unconditional
Happiness. You don't always need something grand to happen to make you happy. Sometimes
even a dragonfly does the deed!
2) Utilize All Of Your Senses Consciously
Have you noticed how your cat is always alert? Even when it's seemingly sleeping on the edge
of the bed, a li’l rustling of the sheets, and there it is wide awake. Have you tried utilizing all your
senses completely, consciously, at any moment? Becoming absolutely alert? Well, you can do
that right now. Simply observe your surroundings, and also yourself with absolute alertness.
How does that feel?
3) Rise Above Thoughts & Be Where You Are
How often does one thought in your mind lead to another, and then another, like a ball falling
down a flight of stairs? How often do you pass a day's time totally in your head, in your
thoughts, thinking about problems that crossed your path in the past, or some issues that might
pop up in the future? Thinking is not a "bad" thing. However, when thoughts start having more
power over you than you have over them, life goes haywire. If this is you, take a look at your
pet. Pets teach us to be right where they are, with what they have, in whatever situation they
find themselves in.
4) Gratitude For Tiny Things
The street dog you fed a fortnight ago still wags its tail in joy each time it sees you. It walks with
you until you reach your destination. Gratitude for the little things in life takes one a long way.
abundance." Just another thing we can learn from our pets.
5) No Extravagant Sense Of Self
To a dog, another dog is just a dog. There's no sense of superiority or inferiority. A dog doesn't
compare itself with another dog, neither does a cat, or a parrot, or a fish. What we can learn
here is to see ourselves as unique human beings. Just because someone is different from us,
doesn't make them superior or inferior to us. They are the way they are, and you are the way
you are. All just are.
6) Petting Your Pet Is Meditation
Petting your pet, or even a stray animal, is such a peaceful experience. If you are a pet lover or
a pet parent, I'm sure you would attest. The action of petting is unconditional. We don't expect
anything from that animal at that moment. And this unconditional nature of that action makes it
beautiful. Thoughts cease for those few seconds, and what is left is a pure being. Pure love,
wonder, and admiration.
These were 6 of my takeaways. To each his own. How amazing would it be if you were to read
the book for yourself, and let us know what your takeaways were! You can find it here. And
today when you go home and see your pet or any stray animal for that matter, I'm sure you'll
see there's more to that little Guardian Of Being than what we can ever know!