Unconditional love really exists in each of us. It is part of our deep inner being. It is not so much an active emotion as a state of being. It's not 'I love you' for this or that reason, not 'I love you if you love me.' It's love for no reason, love without an object. -Ram Dass

Your world is always giving you a reflection of your spiritual Fullness. The invitation is there, always, to seek out the sources of this reflective mirror in your life, be it in a loved one, nature, a pastime or a moment of silence. These powerful reflections show us our truth, that we are loved unconditionally. The animal world, especially our beloved pets, is another mirroring reflection of soulfulness for us. They remind us that we are loved. They speak to our hearts.

Connecting with a pet helps to lower blood pressure. It also boosts our output of oxytocin, a happiness hormone that promotes feelings of trust and relaxation. Contact with a pet reduces risk for heart disease and greater longevity. Pet owners have decreased levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure—all of which may minimize risk of a heart attack in the future.

 This summer take 1-minute to connect intentionally with a beloved pet or another animal that brings you joy, even sitting outside and listening to the birds will create heart-felt connection. 

1. Sit next to an animal or place on your lap. Take a few deep breaths and let go of any distractions or circumstances that pull at your focus. 
2. Take one hand and place it over your heart and breath inward. 
3. Take your other hand and place it over your navel and breath downward through your inner channel.
4. Then, with eyes open or closed, expand your awareness around you (which just means pay attention to the landscape that surrounds your body). 
5. Touch your pet or focus on how your heart is connecting with an animal. Focus on your bodily sensations and your awareness of your heart. 
6.  Notice using your 2nd senses of seeing beyond what your eyes see, feeling beyond what your body feels, hearing beyond what your ears hear, and knowing beyond what your mind knows what you are aware of in that moment.
7. What emerges around you? What emerges within you? What sensations do you experience as you connect with your pet or animal?

Allow your connection with your pet to go with you as you go. Notice how this heart-felt connection settles in your body, mind and spirit. Allow yourself to be loved unconditionally and for your Fullness to be reflected to you. What is it like for you to be loved?

May the knowledge that you are loved, unconditionally loved, fill you with the knowledge that you are complete, whole and well, just as you are. 

With love,

Annie