The unexplained powers of animals
Over ten years ago I found a documentary at the Edmonton Public Library (in Alberta, Canada) which blew my mind. It showed different ground-breaking studies about human and non human animals relationships. Unfortunately it isn't available anymore and I haven't been able to find it on You Tube either. In any case, thanks to that documentary I found out about Rupert Sheldrake's work and since then he has become one of my heroes.
Rupert Sheldrake is an out-of-the-box rigorous scientist who is not afraid of addressing subjects that the conventional scientific academic sphere seems to consider inappropriate or controversial, to the point that his presentation The Science Delusion was banned from TED TALKS so you won't be able to watch it through TED TALKS channel but you can read Sheldrake's book The Science Delusion, or watch other videos, I am leaving some links at the end of this article. If you appreciate thought-provoking material, don’t miss this one. (1)
So what was the documentary about?
The documentary talked about the unexplained powers of animals such as dogs who know when their humans are coming home way before they arrive, even when they are coming at very unpredictable hours, not in a recognizable vehicle.
Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home, And Other Unexplained Powers of Animals is the name of one of Sheldrake's books first published in 1999 by Hutchinson in the United Kingdom.
Cover of the copy I have
The book goes in much more depth than the documentary and tells about Sheldrake's research studies on three types of perception: telepathy, the sense of direction, and premonition, and involves different species, not only dogs.
His research showed that all these supposedly paranormal experiences are actually quite normal as he received hundreds of testimonials.
In fact, as I was reading many of the different stories, I found myself saying, yes! That happened to me with Catalina! Our cat who went missing for two months and a half and showed up when my husband came back from a long trip, or Ernesto a beloved dog who escaped twice from a shelter to get back where his mother was (a 10 km distance approx) distance he had done only once by car.
If you have ever had a deep bond with a companion non-human or human-animal you might find some of your own experiences validated as well. He also explains how to keep logs for records in order to conduct your own research.
Precisely, this is one of the commonalities found in many of these psychic experiences: the depth of the human-non-human animal bond, it works also between humans.
So the point is that we humans also have these paranormal capabilities, many of us have just forgotten them, and our animal companions can be our teachers and help us to remember them. The studies also found that these capabilities are stronger in some individuals than others, just as different senses are more developed in some individuals than others.
The studies were conducted in different ways eliminating other possible explanations, such as using the sense of smell, or other possible clues. Data from different countries such as the United Kingdom, USA and Germany, was collected.
At the time that the book was written, Sheldrake concluded that these capabilities seemed to be present in mammals mainly. However, I recently found an amazing story by a Japanese diver Hiroyuki Arakawa who has been friends for over 30 years with a wild fish that he called Yoriko. Hiroyuki has spent the last forty years of his life collecting clams and crabs professionally. This very unique friendship started one day when Hiroyuki met Yoriko very exhausted, almost dying from a serious injury. The diver fed her with crabs for several days until she recovered. They have been friends since then. Hiroyuki tells that he doesn't know how, but they understand each other. He is the only human that she allows to kiss her. (2)
So seeing this, I wouldn't dare to exclude other species such as birds, fish, reptiles even insects as capable of bonding deeply with humans. It probably has to do with our own perception and willingness to bond with non-mammal individuals of other species and of course the chances in our environments for these encounters to happen.
I don’t know how but we understand each other -Hiroyuki Arakawa
Perhaps one of the most important contributions of Sheldrake's work is the concept of morphic fields. He explains how we are energetically connected, especially with beings that are important to us, and how that connection still remains unaffected by distance and time. It is truly fascinating that someone can offer a scientific explanation for something that has been in people's knowledge all along:
Love doesn't know of time and distance, or Love doesn't know boundaries
One of the most moving stories I found in the book, is one in which the family knew about the death of their son, a soldier in a war overseas, because of their dog's behavior at home. There are several cases in which animals seemed to know when someone they had a deep bond with, died, even though they are not physically around to see it.
Over the last few years, Sheldrake has conducted very interesting research about animals and death. He has found many cases in which animals show a sudden improvement and come to say goodbye before they die. Therefore, this would show that they are aware of what is happening and that it is important for them, that moment of connection before dying. Just as it has been observed in humans. This opens up the subject of Spiritual experiences in non-human animals.
The great news is that Sheldrake's work is available through his books and he also has a YouTube channel where you can find out more about his work. His website: https://www.sheldrake.org.
(1) Exposing Scientific Dogmas-Banned Ted Talk- Rupert Sheldrake by After Skool
https://youtu.be/sF03FN37i5w
(2) Aquatic Affection: How a Scuba Diver Found a Good Friend Under the Sea by Great Big Story
https://youtu.be/pfwdm5W2lWs
Telepathy in Dogs Experiments Rupert Sheldrake BBC Our of this World Segment 1996
https://youtu.be/YkamC09-cL4
This is the second article of a monthly publication in which I will talk about resources on animal-related topics. If you missed the number one
My dog is alfa...is it true?
you can find it in our blog. These resources have been precious and helpful in my personal and professional experience. Feel free to check other articles.
I hope you enjoy them!
Until the next New Moon!
Many blessings
Silvia Soto