During my recent meditation retreat I received darshan* from the animals three times.

The first was a hummingbird that roused me from my meditation with its flutter buzz of wings I could feel on my face. I opened my eyes and it was so close I couldn’t focus on it. (I think it was attracted by my rose quartz earrings). I felt kissed and blessed by the merging of our auras.

The second was again when I was meditating by a fountain pool area. I heard a distinct rhythmic lapping sound and I opened my eyes to see a beautiful fox getting a drink just 4 feet from me. I was hidden in the shadows so I was able to enjoy its beauty for a few moments. I felt blessed by that beauty.

The third time I was out on a walk and sat down on a log to meditate. I looked up and in the clear desert sky I saw a hawk soaring, circling and circling. It came closer until it was right over me. I felt blessed by the grace and freedom of its movement.

I received many other blessings as well on this retreat, but these visitations from the natural world remind me of the blessings of beauty, connection, freedom, and grace.

When I recounted this experience on Facebook, I got a comment that perhaps I was exuding some special energy. Perhaps, but mostly I was simply quiet and listening. These beings are always there, it is simply a matter of sitting quietly, allowing them to come closer, and receiving their presence.

This is a lot of what meditation is: just getting quiet and being present for what shows up. “Listening” with our awareness, our senses turned in to receive the blessings of our innermost Self, the heart in the core of our being. Many things will appear, sometimes challenging, sometimes sweet, sometimes informative. All are blessings in their own way.

To receive these blessings, we must take the time to sit and be quiet, listening, then “look” at what is offered to us from the depths of our being. Life in its many forms is precious. May we slow down enough to receive its many blessings.

*darshan: the beholding of a deity (especially in image form), revered person, or sacred object. The experience is considered to be reciprocal and results in the human viewer’s receiving a blessing. (Britanica.com)