I'm not really a religious person, given past experiences I won't get into, and I've generally lived my whole life not believing in a higher power. Last night I was doing some thinking and I realized to a certain degree I do believe in something.

I'm not sure if it falls into a "set" religion, but I realized I do have a certain belief in spirits, but not human spirits: animal spirits. Like, I believe that in certain times in my life I draw strength from different animals spirits, and I identify with certain animals. For example, when I want strength, I'd draw upon an inner animal spirit (if that makes any sense). I also believe when an animal dies its spirit goes on, but I don't believe in an afterlife for humans, nor do I practice/worship on a basis. I also believe that if one respects animals their spirits will help you, but I still eat meat and hunt (although when I hunt I eat what I hunt, I don't want to waste). There's no God I worship, only spirits.

Does this sound like a particular religion to anyone, or anyone with similar beliefs? Thank you.

[PasDeDeux]

Hi I am NOT sure but I think it may be close to some American Indian beliefs. I have been to a number of states and in New Mexico and also in NC I went to American Indian places that told of belief in animal spirits.

[26west]

I do the same- I call upon certain animal spirits (totems) to help with issues such as strenghth of a tiger , wisdom of an owl etcc.
I have my own religion- i beleive all creatures and elements are connected- u cnnot have one without the other and they all coorilate together.. I fully believe in the animal spirits and others- I consider myself wiccan(though i know others don't particularly like that term it is the only religion i connect with)

[nowheretorun]

i just want to say this is a great topic.... i agree... animals can really get my nature spirit alive : )

[Perna]

My animal spirit is the bear. I had a significant life-changing dream where I actually turned into a bear in the end. The dream part beforehand shifted things inside me too.

[KathyM]

Hi Ledgewood

I'm curious. Why do you think only animal spirits move on and possibly help us in the afterlife? Why do you believe it's not possible for humans to move on and provide assistance in the afterlife? What is the difference between an animal spirit and a human spirit?

I partly believe in reincarnation, where if a human is truly good they will come back as an animal they identified with, but I don't believe in a heaven or hell. For example, a very powerful but wise person would maybe come back as a wise and powerful animal, like a bear.

[KathyM]

Okay, thanks.

Hmmm. If that's true, maybe I'll qualify to come back. Considering my health status though, I'll probably come back a a sloth.

I talked with a friend last night who said it sounded a little like Native American beliefs, or shamanistic. I'm not really familiar with the latter term.

TY for replies everyone.

[Perna]

Here's a good explanation of shamanism I like, Ledgewood:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/sev...shamanism.html

[(JD)]

My belief (as well as many Christians) is that God created all living creatures. He cared enough about them that he had Adam give each one a name, and Noah took two of each to replenish the earth after the flood. They are here for us, and to give us nurturing and provide for us what we need from them.

[KathyM]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
_Sky said:
They are here for us, and to give us nurturing and provide for us what we need from them.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
I'm not so sure about that Sky. I suspect the mice behind my walls have themselves a little book that says the same thing about people....and they probably think my cat is the devil. But if it IS true about animals, please have a talk with my cat because she's under the impression I work for her.

[nowheretorun]

i like the spirit of birds.... free to go about... and watch out for cats!

TY for the link, haven't had much time lately but I'll make sure I read it tonight

<font color="purple"> I actualy have similiar beliefs to an extent, and that everything has a spirit (shinto/animism basicly) however, I also believe in reincarnation rather then just paradise or lack of an afterlife.

...that is...
if my mind lets me actualy believe in religion
I have a very bad habbit of doubting spiritual beliefs, it causes alot of death anxiety and stress.</font>

If i had to say anything was my spirit animal, I would choose Dragonfly, as i have dreamed about them and found them to be attracted to me for some reason. Especially green.

[SeptemberMorn]

"I partly believe in reincarnation, where if a human is truly good they will come back as an animal they identified with,"

If humans are the highest of "evolved" life forms, why would we come back as an animal that has no reasoning power and lower in the food chain??

[nowheretorun]

maybe at times reason is our worst enemy?

[Pita]

Ah SeptemberMorn - sometimes I think my animals have more reasoning power than I do - I just do not always understand it!

[SeptemberMorn]

They are still lower on the food chain that humans are, though!

Truly, they may act wizer than humans at times, but they don't reason things through.

Sorry, can't wrap my brain around that one.

[(JD)]

I do not believe that animals "reason" but act through instinct that God gave them.

I think animals can reason, and I don't think a God gave them any instinct.

I think animals are smarter then we think they are, they are the first ones who lived on this earth and we can learn much wisdom from them. We just think they are primitive and savage, but they're not. Acting on instinct is sometimes better then reasoning anyways.

My dog knows when I am ill , before I do
Animals have predicted natural disasters link below
http://english.pravda.ru/science/19/...3_tsunami.html

Dogs smell cancer on breath of humans link below
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n...og_cancer.html

My grandfathers spirit was a hawk......

[nowheretorun]

wolves can 'scent out' physical diseases

[BalishBun]

Im not sure which I beleive