Learn how to tune into the powerful wisdom and magic of animals and Nature

Summer is a potent time to strengthen your heart connection with animals and Nature.

A fantastic way to do this is by using meditation. 

When we experience meditation with the help and guidance of animals and Nature, it creates an open-hearted, peaceful, balanced state of being. Animals are grateful when we are peaceful, balanced, and peacefully present. A fun and easy way to access this special healing space is by meditating with animals.

Animals are masterful meditation teachers who show us the way to deeper listening and awareness of our spiritual essence and oneness with all life. 

Why? Because it's how the animals live. 

Animals teach us to recognize the importance of always living in our heart centers and being present in the moment. When we are in this space, we become grounded, calmly present, and heart magnates to the animals. Animals also reap the benefits meditation brings, like deep relaxation, stress reduction, and overall wellness. Plus, meditation with animals brings about healing and transformation for humans and animals. 

When I first started meditating over thirty years ago, I found myself getting too much in my head and struggled to stay focused on my heart center.  Then I discovered meditation with animals as I developed my Animal Communication skills since meditation is an essential tool to reclaiming your telepathic abilities and increasing your intuition.

When I studied Animal Reiki and the Let Animals Lead® method with Kathleen Prasad and became an Animal Reiki Teacher and Practitioner, I discovered practicing Animal Reiki is essentially meditating with animals for healing and self-discovery, just like animal communication.

Since then, with the animals' and Nature's help and guidance, my meditation practice became more effortless, meaningful, and a whole lot more fun. Meditating with animals gives me more flexibility, creativity and enhances my animal communication and Reiki skills while increasing my inner peace, balance, and compassion.

Another aspect of meditating with animals that I enjoy is freeing myself from the notion that I must always sit still with my eyes closed in a quiet room to meditate effectively. The goal of meditation is to bring peaceful heart energy into every moment of our life, not just for a few minutes a day while you "formally meditate."  

While there are many different meditation methods, here are three easy ways to mediate with animals:

Sitting Meditation

Many people find it easier to start a sitting meditation practice with their animal family because it can be less distracting. Whenever I communicate telepathically or share Reiki with an animal, the animal is always in control of how they respond to our meditation practice. It's always up to the animal because it empowers them, helps them feel safe, and allows us to work in partnership with them. Plus, it builds trust and strengthens our relationship. 

You must let your animal do whatever feels most comfortable to them when you meditate with them. It's essential you release expectations of how you want your animal to respond. Whether they sit next to you or choose to be in a separate room, you need to trust that your animal is keenly aware of your meditation practice and the energy you're creating with it. 

Standing Meditation

As you become more relaxed doing sitting meditation with your animals, you may want to venture outside to experience standing meditation. This can be done by finding a quiet place in Nature to stand and feel your deep connection to Mother Earth and all her Nature spirits. 

As you stand in Nature, breathe deeply and easily. Open up your senses and childlike curiosity. Image roots growing out your feet like a wise old tree that will keep you grounded and present. As you continue to breathe from your heart center, located in the center of your chest, gently notice all the plants and wildlife around you. Share a sense of gratitude for the birds, bees, and trees as you allow this loving energy to radiate and shine outward from your heart center. 

Another way to do a standing meditation is to stand quietly next to a field of horses or cows where you softly observe them from a safe distance. Just simply be one with the herd in the present moment and remain open to receive their healing love and light. 

Sometimes I like to stand in Nature with my arms spread wide like an eagle soaring. I set my intention to be open and receptive to whatever I need in the present moment. As I breathe, I radiate my love and appreciation for Mother Nature and her sentient beings outward from my heart center like the sun. Then I quietly wait to see what surprise awaits. I simply listen with an open heart feeling my oneness with all of life. And like magic, encountering a butterfly or a bunny hopping nearby takes on a deeper meaning. 

Walking Meditation

My favorite way to meditate is walking with my dog, Yogi Bear. As we walk connected by our leash, we stay quietly present in the moment, embracing our heart connection and observing what's around us. In these moments, we feel a strong sense of interconnectedness and oneness with Nature. 

During our walking meditation, we stay open to seeing different wildlife and hearing their wisdom. For example, we saw a pair of bald eagles and chicks soaring above us during a morning walking meditation. We also spied an osprey nest, which we hadn't noticed a couple of days before. 

The more you meditate with animals and Nature, the more you develop your own empathy and compassion. In other words, Meditation with animals helps us to be better human beings.

Want to learn more about and experience the power of meditating with animals? 

My upcoming class, The Art of Meditating with Animals, teaches you about the joy, healing, and transformation that comes when you meditate with animals. 

Harnessing the Heart Power of Intuition to Find My New Keeshond Puppy

Yogi Bear and me

One thing I learned in 2020 is to be patient, flexible, and above all, trust my intuition.

Of the many challenges I faced last year, the worst one was suddenly losing my dog, Bodhi Bear, to stomach cancer in early December 2020. Saying goodbye to my best friend and constant companion's physical presence shattered my heart into a million pieces. 

Being a great friend and dog, Bodhi Bear made sure I got through my move from California to Connecticut before showing signs of his grave illness. For so many reasons, I'll forever be grateful to Bodhi for all that he gave me in his short seven and a half years with me. 

Bodhi Bear and me

I decided years ago that I never wanted to walk alone and needed a Keeshond by my side to feel whole. So when I let Bodhi go because he was too ill to eat, I knew in my heart that I would have to find another dog. 

Right after Bodhi transitioned, I immediately began searching for my Keeshond puppy and quickly located one. However, in hindsight, I realized that I was not emotionally ready to raise a puppy. 

At the same time, I asked my two twenty-year-old cats, Mona and Elvis, how they felt about a puppy. Elvis said he was on board with raising a puppy as long as the puppy didn't chase him. Elvis has always liked dogs and was good friends with Kobe Bear and Bodhi Bear. 

On the other hand, Mona has never been a fan of dogs. Mona tolerated Bodhi, but he would literally piss her off at times as he made Mona feel unsafe. Finally, Mona made it clear that she's perfectly content living without a dog, especially a puppy.

After Bodhi passed, I noticed a considerable change in my cats. Mona, who is deaf, was consistently using her cat box and confidently galloping around the house in a way I hadn't seen in years. Elvis was also feeling more at ease. Both cats were more playful and relaxed. Plus, the three of us had plenty of bonding time without Bodhi.

As we waited for the puppy to arrive, my fuzzy nephew, Fozzie Bear, came for a visit. Fozzie's presence stressed and upset Mona more than I realized. She communicated physically in her body language and telepathically that she was not happy with Fozzie's presence. After Fozzie chased Elvis, Mona reiterated her intense dislike by peeing in my bed.

Mona's peeing was a wake-up call. I realized I needed to listen to her with an open heart and let go of my desire to get a puppy for the time being. When I truly heard and understood my cats' concerns, I realized it was not the right time to bring a puppy into our family.

While it was hard letting the puppy go, I was okay with waiting for Mona and Elvis's sake. It's the least I can do since she and Elvis have been my loyal family members and cherished companions for 20 years. And the last thing I want to do is piss Mona off again! 

My fuzzy nephew, Fozzie Bear

During the cold, blustery, snowy months of my first New England winter in 30 years, I was grateful I didn't have to housebreak a puppy. Instead, I'm glad I listened to Mona and Elvis, who were right to make me wait.

Around March 1st, I intuitively got the message that it was time to start looking for my puppy again. Synchronistically, I also felt Mona and Elvis were in a good place to receive a dog into our family. 

At about the same time, I told my sister that I felt my puppy had been born, and I would start looking for him. I did find a boy Keeshond, but I didn't feel a heart connection with him.

As I continued to look, I kept reminding myself that I needed to trust my intuition to find my perfect bundle of puff.

As I searched, I reached out to my dear friend, Donna, a Keeshonden breeder. She introduced me to the Keeshond breed almost thirty years ago. I rescued my first two, Keeshonden, KC, and Kobe Bear, from Donna. It's because of Donna, that I fell in love with this special dog breed.

So naturally, I reached out to Donna when I received the inner "call" to start looking for my new fuzzy friend. 

Shortly after I contacted Donna, she sent me an email saying that a 3-year-old male Keeshond show dog, Corey, was looking for a home. She urged me to reach out to his breeder to find out more. I had to sit with the idea of bringing an unsocialized, unneutered, untrained show dog into my family for a while before I called the breeder. 

I decided to take the same advice I give my clients, which is, "you never know." Sometimes you have to go left to get it right. So I called the breeder, even though I knew in my heart that the dog wouldn't be a good fit for my family.

About 20 minutes into the conversation, the breeder let me know that she recently had a litter of puppies.

I immediately said, "What I really want is a boy puppy. I have many plans for my new friend as he has big paws to fill."

The breeder listened but didn't discuss the puppies any further since the call was about Corey.  After our conversation, I knew Corey was not my dog.

Afterward, I couldn't help but wonder about the litter of puppies.

So I reached out to Donna and asked her if she knew about the litter of puppies. Donna said yes. Unbeknownst to me, Donna proceeded to tell the breeder, whom she knew well, that I would make a wonderful Keesie mom and she would be lucky to give me a puppy.

Yogi Bear at 3 weeks

Later that day, I received a message from Donna saying, "Well, what did you decide?"

I responded, "Decide what?"

Donna replied, "Check your email."

In my inbox was an email from the breeder offering me a boy puppy from the litter! I couldn't have asked for more! Serendipitously, the breeder has three cats who helped raise the puppies.

At the time, the puppies were only 3 weeks old. When the breeder sent me pictures of the three boys, I took one look at the puppy wearing the yellow collar, and I knew he was the puppy I had been searching for.

Over the next few weeks, I watched "Yellow" grow up virtually through Facebook posts, photos, videos, and even a few Zoom sessions. The more time I spent with him, the more I knew he's my puppy. "Yellow" is good-natured, sweet, and very smart. 

Mona preparing for the puppy's arrival

Knowing the puppy was coming, I worked hard to prepare Mona and Elvis for the impending arrival of our new family member.  First, I communicated to them that we were getting a puppy and asked them what they needed and wanted to help them feel safe. As I prepare for the upcoming changes in our lives, my next challenge is making sure Mona and Elvis feel safe and secure around him. One way I'm doing this is by creating an "elevated highway" around the living room, so they don't have to be on the floor with the puppy. Another way I'm helping them feel secure is by restricting the puppy's movements and teaching him not to chase the cats.

I flew to Detroit to pick up Yogi Bear on May 4th. Yogi Bear was a rock star on the flight home.

So far, the cats are peacefully co-existing with Yogi Bear. Yogi is everything I could ever want in a puppy and more. 

My heart is full of joy having Yogi Bear in my life. And so far, Mona and Elvis are peacefully co-existing with Yogi Bear. In time, I know they will embrace him.

Support Horses and Farm Animals with Meditation Fundraisers

A hundred years from now, it will not matter the sort of house I lived in, what my bank account was or the car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the lives of the animals & the creatures on this earth.  ---Unknown

One of my life's purposes is to help animals in whatever way I can, whether it's empowering them using animal communication, sharing Reiki, or meditating with them. I also gain tremendous joy raising money for different animal rescue and welfare organizations since they usually run entirely on donations. These life-saving organizations need ongoing financial support to feed, house, rehabilitate, give medical care and re-home animals in need.

Service work is an integral part of who I am, and that's why I'm offering a couple of different fundraisers this month to help animals that I hope you will support. 

On April 19th, I'm offering Meditating with Horses Fundraiser. This webinar will benefit Rising Starr Horse Rescue in Wilton, Connecticut, which saves, rehabilitates, retrains, and re-homes abandoned, neglected, or abused horses.

On April, 30. I'm excited to team up with the Shelter Animal Reiki Association's Director, Kelly McDermott-Burns, for Meditating with Farm Animals. This webinar will benefit the animals at The Little Red Barn Farm Sanctuary in Turnbridge, Vermont. 

We will create a powerful meditation circle during each fundraiser to offer peace and compassion to horses and farm animals. You experience a heart-opening meditation using the Reiki-based Let Animals Lead® Method that you can share with the animals in your life.

During each webinar, you will learn how meditating with horses and farm animals can

• Calm your mind and body
• Enhance your heart connection with animals
• Strengthen your relationship with animals 
• Create a peaceful and compassionate space
• Heal and transform the lives of animals and you!

I believe it's essential to give our loving and positive energy to the circle of life. I feel honored to share the potent tool of meditating with different types of animals with you. And I'm excited for the animals to receive the healing benefits of having you meditate with them.

You don't need to own a horse or farm animals to enjoy meditating with them during these special fundraisers. Just bring your desire to have an open-hearted connection and willingness to connect with these amazing animals for healing and transformation.

I hope you will join us and invite your friends to support horses and farm animals. When we meditate collectively with animals, it can shift humans' hearts and minds compassionately.

How to Nourish Your Animal's Spirit

Meditation with Animals, Animal Communication, and Animal Reiki Feed Animals' Souls

Animals are multi-dimensional spiritual beings. When we consciously nourish their souls with meditation, animals benefit in all aspects of their lives. 

Meditation is a simple yet potent way to feed your animal's spirit. When we meditate with them, it brings peace, balance, and healing. It also deepens our awareness of their spiritual wisdom as our teachers, healers, and guides. This awareness builds a spiritual bridge of connection, compassion, healing, mutual understanding, and love. 

Animal Communication and Animal Reiki also nurture animals' souls. When we learn to quiet our minds and open our hearts with meditation, it develops our intuitive and telepathic communication with animals and strengthens our heart-connection. 

In fact, meditating with animals is the foundation to growing your telepathic Animal Communication skills and sharing Reiki using the Let Animals Lead® method. Both modalities create a compassionate healing space where all healing is possible.

Mona loves Dawn Allen's book,
The Art of Meditating with Cats.

Here are some of the many benefits of meditating with animals:

• Provides relief from physical symptoms, like chronic pain and illness;
• It relieves anxiety, worry, anger, stress while promoting deep relaxation;
• Brings about balance and harmony for you and your animal;
• Keeps you in the present moment and grounded;
• Trains your mind to be quiet so you can feel in deep communion with animals;
• Develops your intuitive and telepathic communication with animals.
• Teaches you to live a heart-centered life. 
• Strengthens your relationship with animals and Nature;
• Makes animals happy and nourishes their soul and yours!!!

Meditating is especially powerful when you invite animals and Nature into your sacred space. When we meditate with animals, they experience joy, peace, harmony, balance, and healing. When practiced regularly with animals, meditation strengthens our spiritual connection with ourselves, our community, all sentient beings, and Mother Nature.

You're invited to nourish your animal family's soul during my monthly Animal Communication Practice Group, Animal Reiki Share, and Sunday Meditations with Animals.