It often seems easier to be gentle and loving to others than to ourselves. In the book "Eat, Pray, Love", the author, Elizabeth Gilbert, is in Bali meeting with a medicine man. He gives her a lesson in Balinese meditation,  which is:

Odie is a mini-donkey, about 2 years old. Odie is my little wise man. I saw his picture when he was a baby and then he came to me in a dream. I knew we were supposed to be together.

 

I have had some worries lately about my mother's health. On one of our warmer days I decided to just sit on a pile of hay by the donkeys and watch them. Little Odie came right over and stood by me, gently leaning his body next to mine. I felt a warmth inside my body and a sense of release. It was as if my worries were just melting away into the earth.

 

I laid down and asked Odie to be gentle, and not step on me. I felt very safe and protected. Odie stood  very still next to me for about 10 minutes and then walked away to eat. It was so peaceful, looking up at the blue sky and listening to the donkeys munching their hay. I began to receive a message from Odie.

 

 

It was an experience that touched my heart. The depth of our animals' ability to love, support and teach us is truly amazing.

 

If you would like to see more pictures of the mini-donkeys, click on the link to my website. There is also information on animal communication services.