This webpage concerns Wolf spirituality and the belief that one may seek enlightenment though Wolves and find one's inner Wolf through enlightenment.
First a couple things to consider in the way of a disclaimer. Note that this philosophy is my own, based on my research, my personal insight into things, and a healthy dash of intuition. My reason for writing this essay is merely to explain my views and ideas to those who might be inclined to share them. We live, we learn, we grow, and we teach what we perceive as the truth. I shall speak as if these things are true, for I believe them, but I advise readers to seek within for their own path. Also, I would like to warn the reader that I may delve into the topic of sexuality - for this is a powerful aspect of what we are. If such topics make you uncomfortable, or if you're under 18 years of age, then you may want to continue your browsing elsewhere.
I've created this webpage to explain my philosophy regarding the metempsychosis of the soul; or to put it another way, the mannor by which the soul transcends the boundaries of the material body in it's pursuit of perfection. In the soul's long journey it's essence has, and will, occupy many material vessels called bodies. In the realm of the soul, the only difference between anima beings lies in the qualities of their vibration: We have been many things, in many places, at many times; some human and some not human.
There are people who retain certain qualities of vibration from past lives into their present life. These flavors of the past can have beneficial and detrimental effects depending upon the nature and strength of their influence upon a person's life. This webpage, therefore, concern itself with those who feel a strong animal consciousness within themselves. For one person this animal spirit, or totem animal, as it's been called, might be a bear, or an eagle, or a horse - each of these totems are interesting in their own way and some people may even identify with multiple spirits - but this webpage shall focus on Wolf spirit, how to accept it, how to live with it, and how to trust and love the lupine within.
A few words about anthropomorphism are in order at this point, if only to insure that the reader realize my understanding of the concept. People can differ greatly in their opinions regarding, even simple, terminology, so I figure it's best to be as concise as possible. Not that the way I define things is right - only that it's the way I define things.
Also, please note that I will use the word "humanimal" occasionally. I don't think you'll find this word in a dictionary, but I'll use it here to mean human beings. Generally woofing (I like to woof too), I've grown fatigued with humanimals thinking themselves superior to all other forms of life on earth. We are a part of the whole, no better nor worse than the rest. Until humanimals realize this fact, and act accordingly, this world shall continue to suffer for our collective ignorance and arrogance. I use this word, then, to remind us of what we truly are: human animals.
Now then, technically defined, anthropomorphism is the attribution of humanimal form or personality to non-humanimal beings. In certain instances some traits do indeed equate; humanimals are not isolated from other animals in biology. In fact, all animal beings bleed in one way or another, are born, live, breathe, mate, raise offspring, and eventually die. However, where attitude, ambitions, and dreams are concerned, there are definite distinctions between humanimals and other animal beings. By way of example, I've prepared the following table which shows some of the differences between Wolves and humanimals.
On the flip side of the anthropomorphic coin we have those attributes which do equate. Even though a lot of people don't like to admit these things. Why? Because they damage the illusion of separation between humanimals and non-humanimals which thousands of years of religious dogma and aggrandizement have bestowed to make the hairless monkey feel superior to all other beings in creation. The only thing that makes a humanimal superior is technology; without which the humanimal is virtually helpless and pathetic. Although, even with technology the humanimal lacks the collective wisdom of self control and, is again, rendered helpless and pathetic... and even worse, pulls the rest of the earth into the shitter too. Anyway, I've put together a list of characteristics I consider Wolves and humanimals to have in common.
There was a time not too long ago, as the earth counts time, when Wolves and humanimals were bound in close union - a union of respect and love. For it was through observing Wolves that humanimals learned much of their social organization and predator skills. So close was this union that humanimals fed on the kills of Wolves and visa versa.
So intimately was the bond between humanimal and Wolf that not only did we bring them into our homes, but into our hearts as well. Without Wolves, humanimals may have never come to realize their potential as a predator species or gain the mental capacity to create tools - develop technology. Canis lupus familiaris, the domestic dog, is a Wolf. We made the Wolf our friend and servant - incorporating them so firmly into our lives that even their physical characteristics conformed to suit us.
Then something happened. The domestication of other animals and agriculture. Our bond with the Wolf weakened. Having exploited Wolves to the fullest, humanimals moved on and betrayed a friend. With agriculture came domestic animals living on the land, and being a part of the land these animals belonged to Wolves too, for Wolves are creatures of the land. But humanimals couldn't accept this. Rather than see the loss of a sheep as a sacrifice to the greater good of natural balance, humanimals saw this loss as competition. In this way, through greed and envy, our friend and loyal brother became a hated, feared, and misunderstood enemy - a rival. And as such things typically go, an enemy made by one's own hand must surely be considered a most despised thing. Who says anything nice about one wished despised? Our emotional separation must be complete, so that we may justify every wrong we do against them to others and to our own conscience.
Metempsychosis is the transmigration of the soul at death into another body of the same or different species. In this essay I shall use metempsychosis to mean that one's soul carries within it the essence of Wolf; meaning that in another existence one has been, or shall become a Wolf. My intent is to think in terms of longing for this - wanting it - looking forward to being a Wolf once more, and seeking ways that might, indeed, lead one's soul to this beautiful goal.
In order to achieve this purpose, I'll have to explain my beliefs and understanding regarding this process. If you find my explanation difficult to grasp, then maybe this isn't for you. Everyone must seek their own path - one's understanding of the natural process - first of this world and then of others. I'm not going to try and convince anyone of anything. Truth can be a deeply personal thing. Finding truth can take moments or a lifetime: but I know two ways to fail the quest immediately: By Closing your mind or believing what someone else tells you to believe without question. I've found that truth often lies at the stillpoint between extremes.
It's my belief that the soul transmigrates from one physical body to the next. And that in some instances the essence of one's past life can influence what one is - or - that the objectives and practices of one's present life can influence one's future life. What follows are some of my thoughts on this, along with some references to possibilities and methods written elsewhere.
First, let's consider the following excerpt regarding metempsychosis (reincarnation) as written about in The Oxford Companions to Philosophy. In this snippet the question is posed: If a person remembers nothing of a past life, then what basis is there for concerning oneself with reincarnation? After all, from one's objective point of view one is a totally unique being, regardless.
Reincarnation: A distinct new bodily life, generally with a new identity and usually as a rebirth, of someone who has died. Beliefs in reincarnation can be found both in ancient Greece and in ancient India, and the Greek idea that the soul about to be reincarnated drinks from the river Lethe (forgetfulness) is typical of the assumption that those who are reincarnated remember little or nothing. The interesting philosophical question is: In what sense does the reincarnation count as the same person as the deceased? The Buddhist critique of Hindu metaphysics centred on this, and The Questions of King Milinda argues that any determination of sameness is essentially arbitrary. Even if psychic drives of the deceased in some way led to the new life, the relation between the two lives could be compared to that of a new flame to the pre-existing flame from which it is lit. ‘Are these two different flames or the same flame?’ the Buddhist philosopher asks; and the implication is that there is no basis for an answer. J.J.K.
Wendy O’Flaherty (ed.), Karma and Rebirth in Classical Indian Traditions (Berkeley, Calif, 1980).
My thoughts are that if one can build upon one's future life while still living in the present, then one's future life will be better for it. We may not objectively know we are better for what we did in a past life, but objectively we reap the benefit in the improved life, regardless. Also, I have had dreams of my Wolf spirit - I feel him within my being - when I'm happy I feel his contentment and when I'm angry I feel him growling.
I believe in God. I don't believe that God is a deranged, jealous, zealot who seeks revenge upon those he claims to unconditionally love. I think this is probably the most commonly mistaken anthropomorphic view in the world; God acting like a selfish humanimal. The idea that an omniscient, omnipotent, all loving being, can be jealous and vindictive of his own creation... is... well... unbelievable to me.
My opinion at this point? This 'god' is a fantasy derived by control freaks wanting an authority figure to wave over the heads of the mindless multitudes. To imagine a perfect being who has nothing better to do than create thinking creatures in his own image, and then torture them for an eternity because he doesn't like the way he made them... It's just too much. Let's go fly a airplane into a tall building so we can screw 72 virgins for eternity, shall we? Well, maybe if they're lupine virgins... Ahem... as I was woofing... This perverted image of this so called 'god' makes no sense... unless... we've looked at God all wrong.
What if God is limited by the same laws of time and space as any other phenomenon in the universe? What if rather than a old bearded maniac sitting on a throne in some ethereal castle, pointing his finger at sinners, and casting lightning bolts of hate and discontent, he's a sprit force? What if good and evil are merely a cause and effect relationship and goodness has proven more successful than evil in perpetuating the growth of this spirit force? What if this spirit called God, and many other names throughout the vast expanse of time, seeks self improvement; seeks self perfection? What if we aren't so much his children, but his eyes and ears, his touch, his taste, his sense of smell, and his emotion? What if we're the body he works to improve - the skill he seeks to master? What if all the animals everywhere, all their fears, their aspirations, their loves, and hates are all God's spirit force manifesting itself as life? A being that, as we perceive life, struggles through generations of birth, facing hardship, making mistakes, learning new methods, adapting to environment, all for the purpose of making oneself stronger, better, and more efficient...
Okay, maybe I'm insane, but this is how I think of God: Genetics are the pulse of her body. The collective intelligence of all animals who ever lived and will live keep God's thoughts. The instinct to live and grow is the force of his will. And our souls, that of each and every living being, a spark of light making up the sheen of God's aura. Yes - God is powerful - for God is the force of life itself, but God is limited in the material realm by cause, effect, time, energy, and matter; just as each of us are limited by our bodies.
Note that symbolic systems tend to agree that God is the father, or male image. This may be due to the consideration that he is a ruler, or king. But God is not wholly masculine, neither is God wholly female or neuter; God is all three at the same time. In fact, God embodies many three-fold aspects; past, present, future; width, height, and length; the three veils; the three gunas; the three qualities; energy, matter, and space; love, indifference, and hate; mineral, vegetable, and animal; and even the father, the son, and the holy ghost.
God is what God seeks to be - and this potential lies within each of us as well, for we are each a fraction of God. A basic mathematic principle states that any fraction of infinity is itself infinite. As the expanse of Gods influence is beyond any being to define, then God is infinite. Being part of the sheen of God's aura makes every living creature infinite as well. Having potential within an infinite construct makes that potential infinite also. Thus it is said that god is in us, for we are in God; we are infinite beings; we are immortal; and there is no borderline between one and all.
I like to think of the God in heaven as masculine, the father image, and I feel that it's warmer when I call him Jove. I've always liked this name, it's another name for Jupiter, which symbolically represents this aspect of God. I like to think of the God of earth as feminine; Goddess; the mother image. I like to call her Gaia, or the Great Mother. Gaia is the Greek goddess of the earth, and she both bears and nurtures all life. The Neuter form of God I simply call God. Maybe there's a better name. But please remember that the word is not the thing. The thing is itself, regardless of what label we wish to place upon it.
I'm not going to get too deep regarding the architecture of the soul for it's a rather intensive study in and of itself. I recommend that anyone seriously interested in learning more about the metaphysics of the soul seek out a copy of The Kabbalah Unveiled as translated by S.L. MacGregor Mathers in 1926 (ISBN 0-14-019310-3) and related literature. Please see the bibliography for a listing of other references I've used in preparing this essay.
There are three attributes, called viels that comprise the soul. The first viel is the pure soul, some call this the overself. In the Kabala it's called Neschamah. Hinduism refers to it as the guna Rajas. In astrology it's represented as the Cardinal quality. The second viel is the soul itself, also called the spirit of intellect. In the Kabala it's called Ruach. Hinduism refers to it as the guna Sattwa. In astrology it's represented as the Mutable quality. The final viel of the soul is called the plastic mediator, and represents the spirit of the body. In the Kabala it's called Nephesch. Hinduism refers to it as the guna Tamas. In astrology it's represented as the Fixed quality.
The soul is part of a continuous whole that extends throughout life in all of it's various forms. The characteristics of one's soul is at once distinct and inseparable from this whole. The whole itself is often called God.
Why do we suffer? Why is there evil? Why hate and greed? These are difficult questions and the answer may be too simple to fully grasp. As Lao Tsu said, "the truth is often paradoxical." What he meant is that often, what we consider a contradiction, or paradox, is merely two sides of the same coin - viewing it from two opposing angles. This perception does not divide the coin and make it two different coins; it's still one coin with two different sides.
Lao Tsu also said, "From above it is not bright; from below it is not dark: an unbroken thread without description ... Stand before it and there is no beginning. Follow it and there is no end." Are these contradictions? Or merely different ways of looking at the same things? Try and think about this - it's important - for it's a great source of confusion, misunderstanding, and folly.
Our soul can see the big picture. Our minds can see it too, but only within limited parameters. When we look at a painting from a few feet away, we can appreciate the entire image, and through our mental faculties, usually understand what we are looking at. This is where the soul stands in relation to the cosmic painting. Now, step closer to the painting. Put your eye a couple inches from it's surface. Most of the image is now blurry or out of the range of sight; we can only see a few of the brushstrokes, and from all we now see, it's impossible to understand the entirety of what we're looking at. This is how our mind stands in relation to the cosmic picture.
And our mind has limitations because of the nature of our bodies. We are not designed to be more than a simple algorithm designed for a specific function; we experience a specific number of things in a given life and that's all we can hope to do. We have limited resources - only so much RAM - to process and store the data of this life experience. We have the ability to "upload" what we learn to our overself; our pure soul, however, and in this way we help God to find completion.
We don't suffer because God wants us to suffer. On the contrary, the very nature of God seeks to subvert suffering; to grow beyond the need to suffer. Suffering is, unfortunately, part of the natural process. It's the sensation we feel as entropy tears the physical construct of our bodies apart. Like the greatest machine ever created we too shall wear out and break down. Pain is an aspect of this process. But try to bear in mind that without ugliness there could be no beauty. What could pleasure serve if we never knew discomfort? And why discomfort? Maybe so we know what is harmful to our bodies; without discomfort we could easily destroy ourselves and not even be aware that it was happening. Pleasure is where we want to be; it's a kind of reward for succeeding in self-preservation. Discomfort is a defense system that guards us and protects us. It is a price we must pay for having a physical body. Maybe, at some stage of our soul's evolution we'll grow beyond the need to suffer. Who knows? All things are possible in an infinite reality.
And what of mental torment, sadness, and the feeling of loss? This serves a similar purpose as our physical pain. But in addition it unifies us as a species. Which is important, for as a species we collectively grow, improve, and flourish. If we don't our purpose is wasted; we're a failed experiment. The loss of a loved one hurts us and it's something we therefore seek to avoid. We are stronger together than alone. So we protect those who are important to us, who in turn do likewise for us. This is why goodness is a virtue and it helps us to grow, and why evil pulls us apart and subverts our growth. This is why the nature of God is goodness and not evil; and why love is so important to our soul.
When a loved one passes away it hurts us because a part of our soul that we gave to this being is removed from our sight for a while. Again, pain is the price we must pay for having a body. If we would not have loved, this pain would have never existed, but, when we give of ourselves through love we are not diminished but made greater; and this greatness has a permanent effect on the soul. The pain we feel at loss is temporary grief and it's an aspect of the material of this realm. Our soul is beyond this physical realm, and those we love are always with us. Pack-mates are always embraced in the realm of the soul. Our over-selves remember this; it's the limitations of our bodies that cause us to forget it. And sometimes forgetfulness hurts.
Intus sulum victus creatura illic est mortuus creatura questio subterfugio.Tr., Within every living creature is a dead creature trying to get out.
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