One of the interesting things I’ve discovered in working with animals is that sometimes the animals pick me to work with them, instead of me choosing them to work with me.
Recently, I was chosen by Elephant to be one of her students. Now, it’s not like a real elephant came trumpeting up my driveway and knocked on my door; no, nothing so simple and obvious. Instead, Elephant has been leading me on by appearing to me everywhere via pictures, readings, videos, and most insistently in a deep need within myself to learn more about these majestic creatures. The result of Elephant’s call is that I’ve been spending some time reading up on elephants, exploring YouTube and visiting different sites to see what I can learn.
Humankind has maligned elephants in the past. We have hunted them and enslaved them, used them cruelly and as targets of ridicule. Perhaps it is their size that intimidates us and it is fear that has caused us to act so inhumanely. Perhaps we haven’t taken the time to learn about them. Perhaps we have divided the world into them and us. When we divide creatures into groups of them and us, it can without difficulty turn into them vs. us, where it becomes easy for us to abuse them. Our conscious is salved, because we are “only” hurting “them.” This segregation does not encourage, or even allow, a rapport with the animals and it creates a spiritual separation.
But did you know that elephants and humans have a lot in common? In his book Altruistic Armadillos, Zenlike Zebras, Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson cites many commonalities between humans and elephants:
- We have similar life spans, 60-80 years.
- Both species reach maturity in their 40s.
- Like elephants, our brains are large, convoluted and richly folded.
- Each species has complex social relations.
- Elephants often sleep on bush-pillows, snore and dream like we do.
- Elephants have a special relationship with their dead.
- We humans share with elephants the deep feelings we have for our family.
I hope that as more people become aware of the shared attributes we have with these magnificent creatures, we will be able to enter into a relationship based on respect and understanding.
Please take a moment to enjoy this beautiful video from WildEarth TV.
Finally, I will keep you posted on what Elephant teaches me!
Harmony,
Janet Roper
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Elephants really are the most fantastic of creatures.
I would love to see an Elephant dreaming. I understand that they get very little sleep as they need to eat so much because of their size. I think it is only a few hours a night.
Hi Janet – I’m right there with you. The elephant chose me years ago, I feel peaceful just watching them on the video. I remember sitting and watching them throwing dirt and grass on their backs at the San Diego Zoo about 20 years ago and I was hooked.
Looking forward to following along as you learn what the elephant has to teach…
Hi three dog blogger,
You’re correct, they do sleep very little. I think I read they sleep only 3-4 hours per night. Makes me tired just thinking of that little sleep!
Have a good New Year!
Harmony,
Janet
Greetings, Bev
Isn’t it wonderful to be chosen by an elephant? I’m hearing from more and more people that they have been chosen by Elephant. I’m also hearing from people about the joy & reverence they feel for the animal. I think that’s way cool!
Have a good New Year,
Harmony,
Janet
janet, elephants are amazing. we recently watched a dvd about an elephant family and the few times I’ve seen elephants live and up close, they seemed mystical to me. I love the idea of them dreaming!
happy new year to you and all the animals in your family!
Hey there billie,
I’m pleased as punch to hear all the wonderful comments about elephants that folks have been sharing with me. In the extremely near future I’m going to tune into Elephant and see what she has to say about that. Have a feeling it will be one powerful message!
Harmony,
Janet