Take another deep breath. For a moment think about the animal world. Do you live with an animal in your household? Or do you like a particular species of animal? Try to think about it right this moment. (pause 3 sec) Now try to remember the last time you had an actual real-life encounter with any animal. Recall this as clearly as you can. (pause 4 sec) First try to think about this animal’s behaviour. What have you noticed about it? If you have been in its presence, or if you have seen others with it, how did the animal respond to humans? Did it interact with or ignore humans? (pause 3 sec) If there was an interaction, what did the animal do? Recollect that in your mind. (pause 3 sec) Try to remember the face and especially the eyes. Did the eyes have depth? Was there a feeling someone was looking out through the eyes at you? (pause 3 sec) Did you have a feeling there was almost a person or an intelligent being in there? Did it feel intelligent in any way? (pause 3 sec) Did you feel any emotions while interacting with the animal? Did the animal express some emotion in its own way? What emotion? (pause 3 sec) Was the feeling good, lovely and warm? Try to remember any connection you might have felt at that time. (pause 4 sec) Gently focus on your feet again. Remember you are sitting on the log. In your mind stand up and walk back to the forest. Focus on your bare feet on the forest floor, feel the cool bed of leaves touching your toes and your heels. (pause 3 sec) Now slowly bring your awareness to this room. Feel your feet on the ground. Feel your roots deep in the ground. As you keep focus on your feet, bring your awareness to this room now fully. Become aware of the chair under your body. Listen for the sounds around you. Bring your mind back to your feet. Where are they? Can you feel them? Gently wiggle your toes. Feel the full sensation of the floor beneath your feet. Slightly press them on the floor. Wiggle your fingers and rub your palms. Move your shoulders. Take a deep breath. When you are ready slowly open your eyes, first looking down then up and up until you are looking straight ahead. Do this in your own time. When your eyes are open give yourself a good stretch if at all possible in silence to give others space to do the same in their own time.
