I just spent the day with the great people at Wolf Connection- which is a wolf sanctuary and rescue in Action, CA. We all met in a huge teepee for our training, and later went on a hike with the wolves in the high desert. I will keep most of the details of the day to myself- it would be too easy for me to relay my experiences and perhaps transmit some bit of information wrongly (right to my experience, but wrongly in terms of conveying facts correctly)- but there are a couple of things I can share. At one point, after lunch, we were all instructed to go and choose a wolf and sit in front of their enclosure, so they can get used to the sight, smell, and energy of us. I chose a big ol' boy named Merlin. What I learned about myself is this- one of the staff came to me and asked me to sit further back and give the wolf space. I was definitely closer than anyone else was to their chosen wolf, and I was irked by that for a split second- but it was important as it pointed out something I needed to pay attention to. It occurred to me that I am prone to want to get close to people and things (of my choosing) quickly, that I assume just because I want to, they must, too. Truthfully, the wolf didn't mind, he came up and checked me out, wagging his tail- I was still about a foot away and behind a fence- but that wasn't the lesson. Its always better to approach with respect than with an assumed familiarity based on a natural goodwill (in this case, mine)- goodwill doesn't give anyone the right to not observe boundaries (even me!). I later learned that this wolf had had issues with his former "Dad"- he was rescued from a situation where he had had an owner who became chronically ill, and the wolf, sensing his weakness, tried to become dominant. When they told me that often people with issues with their own Dad go and choose Merlin, I realized that I chose Merlin for two reasons- one, because I felt drawn to him, (and not coincidentally I am estranged from my own father- which I hadn't thought about at all, so it wasn't an obvious motivator for choosing him), and the second being that Merlin was my daughter's favorite wolf (and she too is estranged from her father, also not coincidentally). There is an intensely energetic component to being around wolves; you have to stay so aware and so present to subtle energies, to your thoughts and feelings, and let go of those that keep you from being present- which is a very healing experience. I feel, after a day spent with them, completely recalibrated. But I would be remiss if I didn't mention the human beings who are so entirely selfless and devoted to these animals. Being around the human pack that surrounds the wolf pack is like jumping in cold water on a hot day-they are so totally refreshing in the purity of their mission and devotion. You don't often get to spend time with people like that. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to know them and to get to know them better.
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| Shake the Hive with Maya the wolf |
Two weeks ago, one of the Staff had mentioned the passing of a wolf named Lucas, and another wolf, Maya, who was far out of ear shot, began howling. She had felt the invocation of Lucas. The Staff who spoke of him had felt sad about his passing at that moment, and Maya had felt the energy of that. The mournful howl was Lucas's song. They said that she had begun to sing that particular song the day he passed away, and when she finished her song, all the others wolves joined in. They feel each other; they feel everything. Their sensitivity is profound, and it makes anyone who spends time with them much more aware of what they are carrying with them, and what they need to let go of to be present with them.
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| Hiking with wolves today in Acton- Talk about hitting the reset button! |
I got to have that experience because I decided, last year, to protest my own apathy. All of us can become a part of something that transcends our everyday experience. All of us can change the choices we make to be in alignment with a thriving planet. There are thousands of organizations that need help, that need YOU. And just so you know, I am just like you- I am busy busy busy. I raise two teenage daughters single handedly. I get no financial support, so I work my ass off to keep my family safe and provided for- AND all that goes with that, as a parent. Any excuse anyone can give about why they DON'T do more things, change their ways, get more active- I promise you, if I can do it, so can you. If your arms and legs work, that's all you need. Get informed on the issues this earth is facing, then look at your life and look at what you can do to be less of a burden. Figure out what issues concern you the most, and find people in your area who gather together to face those issues head on. Volunteer. Mentor a teenager. Feed the homeless. Grow food. What can you change, right now, today, that will put you in the realm of solution? Baby steps are good; big steps are better. No steps at all is what the masses are doing. The apathetic zombies of the world. That isn't you. You care! Go show it!
xoxo,
Ashley Dane
Shake the Hive
