The mentally isolated are confined. They, by their own misperceptions and separative viewpoints, are (unfortunately) in a limited sphere that is not in touch with everything. (You can be in a large group of people and be mentally isolated, with a separative self.) Mental confinement is limitation; it occurs when the mind is not caring (about others); it occurs when the environment seems separate from what you are and when you are not very curious about it.
Today, because my wife has passed a little over a year ago, i had a pet sitter come to my house to see about possibly taking care of all of my critters (i.e., pets) should something happen to me (like needing to go to the hospital or something similar). I told my little miniature Dachshund, Lola, (in the morning) that a lady would be coming later in the day; i told her to be nice to the lady. The sitter was to arrive at 2pm. I didn’t say anything, but a little after 2pm, Lola began ceaselessly barking loudly; she never does that in such a manner. I looked outside, and there was no sitter, no car of the sitter out there. After about 5 minutes of ceaseless barking, the sitter arrived (with her two teenage daughters). She said she inadvertently passed my house but eventually circled back and found it. Apparently, Lola sensed they were near (even though they have never been here before)! Lola, and other dogs we have had in the past, seemed to have a form of perception that extends out past the “usual realms.” When my wife Marla was alive, she would tell me about how Lola, and previous dogs we’ve had, would “realize” i was coming home (in the car) 5 or 10 minutes or so before i actually arrived home.
When the sitter arrived, i briefly told her about my wife Marla’s passing… about how, for 12 years, Marla (because of medical complications) was unable to eat and was strictly on enteral feeding (i.e., tube feeding) to her stomach. I told the sitter that, before i retired, i was a teacher for the multiply handicapped and that some of my students were on tube feeding. I would be the one helping them to get their tube feeding nourishment (for years) long before Marla developed eating difficulties. The sitter remarked that our marriage was almost “meant to be”… (regarding how my unusual employment situation benefitted my wife later in our marriage). Well, it was “meant to be”; it was pre-arranged by a wholeness that extends past the “usual realms.” (It is very beautiful regarding how that pre-arrangement took place, but i am not at liberty to go into it in detail). Lots of things can happen beyond the “usual realms,” but if you merely crave for these, nothing will happen; they will come to you (perhaps) without you inviting them… come to you with your natural curiosity, especially if it extends beyond the “self.”
A Noiseless Patient Spider
BY WALT WHITMAN
A noiseless patient spider,
I mark’d where on a little promontory it stood isolated,
Mark’d how to explore the vacant vast surrounding,
It launch’d forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself,
Ever unreeling them, ever tirelessly speeding them.
And you O my soul where you stand,
Surrounded, detached, in measureless oceans of space,
Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing, seeking the spheres to connect them,
Till the bridge you will need be form’d, till the ductile anchor hold,
Till the gossamer thread you fling catch somewhere, O my soul.
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Thanks to monicat for his comments on spider webs in my previous posting, and check out this amazing article on Jumping Spider Visual Acuity (that pstachowski provided in his previous comments to my blog):
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Tom, first deep condolences on this difficult anniversary…
All animals/ birds/spiders etc have no problem understanding what we say and are always ahead of us…I am so used to this kind of communication that I expect it – for example I told both my dogs this morning that I was not feeling well and they immediately lay back down instead of asking for morning kisses. They always know when we are leaving or coming home – they know when others are coming even if they haven’t met them before. My point – animal communication is NORMAL – our plants behave in a similar manner they can become ill when we do…Lily b my 30 year old house dove routinely reads my mind….When I am confused about something he can often clarify a situation – without one word being spoken… I could go on here… Scientist Rupert Sheldrake was dismissed from the scientific community when he dared to write a book called “When Our Dogs Know We are Coming Home… it is only our closed minds that prevent us for seeing/knowing the obvious. I am always so happy when someone has the courage to write about what’s real – everything is connected as you know…. I have same problem you do… living alone is hard as we get older and having someone responsible is critical… hopefully you found that person..
Yes, she agreed to be a pet care person for my crew should something inadvertently happen. That is more than good to know, Sara! 😊
Yes, i am familiar with Rupert Sheldrake’s work. I’ve known about him for quite some time. I don’t agree with some of the things he maintains or with some of his perspectives on things, but i think that he at least is breaking the ice regarding domains that need to be looked into… but currently, for the most part, are not investigated. It is so cool that a lot of creatures are perceptive in ways that regular science cannot explain. 🐶🐵🐭🐦
Oh, so glad you have a person to care for your creatures – we love them so!
I know Rupert and his family personally – and the christianized stuff isn’t my thing but I love the fact that he is willing to stand up for what he believes – and ask TOUGH questions – he’s paid a high price – have you read his son’s book Entangled Life? I think scientists like him are way before their time…his theory on morphic resonance captured me from the beginning in the 80’s – I do agree with him that we all have “fields” and can tap into them for good or ill – western science is so far behind what for example Indigenous peoples have known for millennia…
I haven’t read Entangled Life, but it sounds intriguing. It’s so cool that you know Rupert and his family personally. As i said before, it’s so cool that a lot of creatures are perceptive in ways that regular science cannot explain. 😊🐶
“Prearrangement” is real – details not rigid but certain people come tgether as “intended” – it’s a mystery, but real.
Stirring post on several levels.
Indeed dogs somehow sense the returning human still a few blocks away – our Labrador let me know about 5 minutes before my husband pulled into the driveway at end of workday (husband now retired.)
Yes, Jazz, it is so incredible how dogs, for instance, can know when someone is about to come home minutes before they actually arrive home (and even though they are coming home out of a regular, usual routine)! 😊🐶
Tom, it’s amazing how animals can sense things we humans should naturally pick up on and don’t. 🐕🦺 I can’t imagine your emotions right now, here a year later when your world was dislocated by the absence of Marla. Stay encouraged my friend. You still have more to do! 🙏🏼🤗🥂
Thank you so much, Kym. Yes, it’s been very difficult without Marla and her immeasurable grace, but i am hanging in there and living as joyfully as possible with the pets (critters) who are under my care. Before she passed, Marla asked me to continue with writing my blog; she said that she thought i had extremely important, deep things to share, and she wished that i would continue with the sharing. 😂
Well Tom, thank you for continuing to share your thoughts and lessons with us. 🙏🏼 I believe Marla would be so proud, even if things have shifted from the way you planned. 🤗 Nevertheless, your audience of friends appreciate you, whether we have formally met in person or not. ☺ Just look at your following and see what an impact you are making. Stay encouraged my friend! 💖😍❤🥂💝
Thanks so much, Kym! You are so sweet and encouraging! Goodness radiates from you! 😊❣👍
marvelous story, Tom!
there are also those stories of dogs and cats being able to identify cancer in people before doctors do. animals are more intuitive whereas people depend too much on their intellect. the intellect, (although a good intrument to use, hehe) is good at separating, analyzing, deducing, but not so good at feeling! 🙏
Yes, good point, Radhe… the intellect is not so good at feeling. That is a very large part of it! Exactly! My two pet parrots also have such abilities, so it is not just confined to cats and dogs, fortunately! 😊
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Animals are so intelligent – you and I have discussed Corvids and your dear birds, Scarlet and Tweety. You are surrounded by your family of critters, your dog and the fish as well … it keeps you going and a reason for getting up in the morning and having someone to take care of. And, they’ve been a blessing in this year that you’ve been alone since Marla has been gone. When I still had my canary, I typed up a note that I carried with me outside the house if I was in an accident to contact my neighbor so she could get into the house to take care of Buddy. I worried about him being alone – now Buddy is gone, as is my neighbor, so I miss the joy of a little bird singing away, but can’t bear the grief of losing another pet and as I have no family, I’d need to make similar arrangements. So, squirrels are my pets now. You are smart to make provisions – you will sleep better now. The close-up of the spider … I can deal with it as it’s a jumping spider. In fact it is even cute.
Oh, my goodness, Linda, you are coming around… even thinking certain spiders are “cute.” Next you will be visiting them as much as the squirrels! 🐿
You are so right about the animals; they have been a real blessing for me since Marla passed. They are my responsibility and they are good companions. I’ve had pets all my life and they are wonderful to have around. Linda, don’t let the fear of grief stop you from getting another pet. (I’ve mentioned this kind of thing to you before.) I would suggest, for you, something like getting an 8 or 9 pound lap dog. (My Lola is 8 and 1/2 pounds.) Do what i did; make arrangements with a reliable pet sitter (nearby). If something should happen to you, little dogs go like hotcakes from shelters; everybody wants them! Don’t let the fear of grief stop you from living. Love and sharing should always overshadow grief, fear, and sorrow. A little dog would be such a treasure and such a blessing! 🐶 You are home a lot; you would be a blessing to a little dog!
You are right… i am sleeping better now! 😊