I
TOLD YOU ALREADY!
The Ask Maya archives
page 10
Please
note: Maya's opinions are not always those of the management!
Ask Maya for the 2nd week of
April, 2003
Ask
Maya for the 3rd week of April, 2003
Ask Maya for the 4th week of April, 2003
More "Ask Maya" archives on pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10
Ask Maya for the 2nd week of April, 2003:
Dear Maya,
The psychic medium I chatted with gave very accurate and verifiable info to me during our session. I was on cloud 9 until I sat in on her lecture where she claimed that animals are like cherubs--that's why they give unconditional love! She reminds me of the Sylvia Brown school of thought where animal spirits are somehow inferior to humans...even though AC's seem to know differently. How can they be cherubs if spirits can choose any form...?!?! Anyway, I don't believe it. ;-) What about you?
- Keri and The Flock
Dear Keri,
How's that flock of yours? I bet they're tasty. Ha ha ha! But seriously, I give them respect. Birds spread all the news around the world, did you know that? And they're good at mental maps. They're smarter than they look. I mean... uh, not that they look dumb, or anything. You know, they're just not cats. But who is, really? Except cats. You know what I mean.
Anyway, let me try to understand this question. First thing, Momma G tried to explain to me what a cherub is, and that was ridiculous and amusing. First she said it was some human child-like thing with wings, that sent messages of love on holiday cards. Then she said that really in ancient human mythology, cherubim were way up there with your God (or one of 'em, anyhow), very powerful angels, with, like, four heads and wings and swords and things. I didn't get that, although it was certainly more impressive than babies with wings. I guess it's meant to be symbolic, although, really, how do you humans make these things up?
So, I'm trying to figure out what this person's central message is. It seems to me she's thinking that animals are these innocent beings of love that give it all to humans, and... well, that's pretty much all there is. Hah. Well, I'm not saying that animals don't have love and give it, and that we're generally more outgoing about these things than humans are, but that's a little simplistic! Don't you think? I mean, come on. That makes us look stupid. And animals are NOT stupid (well, many of us, anyhow. There's no accounting for Quan Yin). Not compared to humans, anyway.
And we're not simple, or only for one purpose. Many of us are complex and have multiple purposes. I, for one, am an advisor, teacher, comforter, friend, member of the cat council (or as Mom likes to say, the "Kitty Committee" -- sheesh), beauty, guide, example and all-around super genius. Maurice, though I hate to say it, is an all-around energy balancer and giver of Unconditional Love. So, yes, some animals do that, although I think people should earn my love and affection, quite frankly. And, at the same time, Maurice is fulfilling his purpose bringing certain things to our people but also working out things for HIMSELF and his past lives, as well as things with Quan Yin and me. I don't have so much to work out with my past lives, but... well, now and then.
And, if you've ever met a range of animals, you can tell that they're not just there to love you! They have other things to do, and some are nice and some are stupid, and some are mean and some are smart -- just like people. Each type of animal, but also each individual, has their own purpose, so it's insulting and ridiculous to say we're all like this or for one thing. But then, I know you humans can be like that. 'Oh, those African-Americans, they all sure can dance!' 'Those snakes are so evil... they just slide around and bite!' 'Babies are so cute and stupid! There's nothing in their heads but what we put in them and... and cute, baby love." Whatever. And so on. You get the picture, I'm sure.
Finally, just as you mention, spirits can change and evolve and go into different forms. I've been a bird of prey, you know. Mom G has been a cat. Maurice has been a person (a very NEUROTIC and WHINY person). Did any of us evolve higher or lower in this? I'd venture to say that I'm smarter than the average being, even a number of humans, so I take offense at the idea that, as an animal, I'm all completely different and here to serve a purpose for them. Listen, we're ALL here to serve a purpose, for ourselves and for each other. And no one 'class' or form of beings is here solely to serve another one and just make them feel better about themselves all the time. Yes, that's a part of what a lot of them do, but hey -- that's all a part of love, and that's across boundaries and species. It has nothing to do with being assigned to give unconditional love as a species, you know what I'm saying?
And, if this woman doesn't believe that, I'd be happy to come and bite her to show her my cherub-like, unconditional love! Ha ha ha ha!
Anyway, hope that helps. Very interesting question, although I'm not sure I understand it all. What IS she thinking...?
You're welcome.
- Maya The Cat
Ask Maya for the 3rd week of April, 2003:
Dear Maya,
Do you have something to say about how to deal with the homelessness problem for dogs, cats, and other "pet" animals? Why do spirits keep coming back as dogs and cats when there are sooo many that are euthanized each day? What do you think about selective breeding?
Thanks!
- J, K and the gang
Please note: Maya's comments on these matters will be split into two columns, due to the complexity of the questions. Here is part one.
Dear Gang,
I am glad you asked me this. These are interesting questions.
My first reaction when asked about reproduction is always "yuck" and "no way!" Frankly, I don't understand why anyone wants to go through it. First of all, I think I have mentioned that one of my explicit stipulations upon coming into this physical plane was to be spayed so I wouldn't be a slave to my hormones and have to be touched by just any old tomcat [shiver!] Blecccch! Also, who wants to have kittens? What a pain. It's all painful and you get hungry and eat yet starve, then you blow up, maybe die in the process, and in the end have a bunch of little leeches demanding food and attention all the time, and then not listening to you and being useless! Feh. No way, José.
[GK detects a little bitterness in Maya's tone, and wonders if she has a few past-life issues to work out, or something.]
Oh, please, let's not get into that. That's my business. Let's just say I've learned from my own experience, that I'm my own cat and I take care of ME. Most people/animals can't even learn how to do THAT properly, much less take care of young ones. Anyway, you've seen how that Quan Yin reacted to me. The nerve!
Besides, there are some kittens who are not so bad. Self-sufficient almost right from the beginning. That was me, I might add. I even made sure my brother got a home. I feel sorry for my mother, though. And I thank her for bringing me into the world. Someone had to do it. But I am sure she was as glad to be free of the responsibility of taking care of me in some ways as I was to embark on my own path!
Anyway, where were we? Oh yes, homeless animals and reincarnation and such. Okay, let me see if I can be brief. First of all, not all animals are the wisest in the world. When they incarnate into being homeless, maybe they don't know any better. But maybe they do. We all have a path, and sometimes that path involves teaching lessons to others, like the value of taking in someone vulnerable, or the value of freedom.
This is not to say that humans don't have a big part in it. Humans control the reproduction of lots of species, including themselves, because they can, and even when they don't know it. For example, cutting down a rainforest, say, to produce goods for people may kill out certain animals and affect the whole eco-system. In the end, this also kills people because they run out of resources. BUT, at the same time, sometimes those people are breeding more themselves because they are so desperate to keep their families alive. So, it's all very complicated, in that way and more.
Humans have also affected animals and how they breed by breeding them selectively on purpose, and just by being there. Because humans affect the environment so much, some animals choose to or have to adapt just to live near them. This means everything from animals that become domesticated (who obviously end up flourishing more than those who just let themselves get killed) to "wild" animals who change their diets and territories according to what's up with humans around them, and so on. Now, it is true that the animals have somewhat of a choice in this. But their choices are limited and directly impacted by the humans. ["Maya, please don't use impacted as a verb." - GK. "Mom, impacted, impacted, impacted! HAH!" - Love, Maya]
OK, so here's something that's very key, so listen closely. Most animals will not interfere with what humans do. It may be because they're scared, or they can't, but also this is a major tenet for most animals other than humans: WE DON'T MESS AROUND ON A MAJOR SCALE WITH THE WORLD AROUND US. We live with what's going on. Some animals may have plans or use tools here and there, but that's about it. We don't exterminate other species, in general. Does that make us stupid, because we're not building highways and cutting down trees and stuff? Well, not all of us are as bright as I am. And some of your human feats are impressive (I like indoor heating and cooling and crunchy nibbles, myself). But who's destroying the environment and choking on their own filth here? I thought so. (By the way, Mom, speaking of choking on one's own filth... the LITTERBOX?!)
So, let's review. Humans are affecting breeding. Yes, animals have compulsions to breed. But they are influenced by humans.
[And here's where we have to cut off her "brief" response for the week. Stay tuned for the rest of the answer next week! - GK]
Love,
- Maya The Cat, The Great One, Queen Maya
Ask Maya for the 4th week of April, 2003:
Dear Maya,
Do you have something to say about how to deal with the homelessness problem for dogs, cats, and other "pet" animals? Why do spirits keep coming back as dogs and cats when there are sooo many that are euthanized each day? What do you think about selective breeding?
Thanks!
- J, K and the gang
Please note: Maya's comments on these matters have been split into two columns, due to the complexity of the questions. Here is part two. Part one may be found here.
... So, let's review. Humans are affecting breeding. Yes, animals have compulsions to breed. But they are influenced by humans.
There wouldn't be so many stray cats and dogs if there weren't humans around, period. Natural selection would take 'em out, and they wouldn't find the food and shelter they're looking for. Now, it's not always fair to ignore 'em, either (even if they chose the stray path), because their natural cycle of birth and death has already been affected by humans. So, to make a long story short, in that vein, I think spaying and neutering is a fine idea. A cat or dog can't fight instinct, when it comes to mating. We became your companion species to keep you company, teach you things and give you love (in addition to, yeah, living off your scraps). So it's only fair for you to help us out on your end, too.
Oh, but I don't get the trapping-spay-and-release thing where you have to cut their ears. Some cats think it makes them look rakish, but is it really necessary? Ouch! Yuck.
Can I just mention I am SO GLAD Maurice is neutered. My All That Is, he is trouble enough as it is!
So, okay, regroup... my answers there were: to reduce the stray population, spay & neuter and live more naturally. Got it?
And may I just add that if you think THAT overpopulation is bad, have you ever thought of all the rats and mice and bugs and things around everywhere you can't even SEE? Trust me, a lot of those stray cats out there are doing you a favour!
As for coming back into the bodies of dogs and cats... uh, why not? It depends on what they have to work out in their spiritual path or "karma" or whatever you call it, and also what form they like and want to or can do that it. I love being a cat. I'm very good at it. I love being a predatory, singular animal with great eyes and beauty and speed, like I was when I was a bird of prey. Hey, spirits come back into the bodies of ants who get stepped on, or people who have disabilities or are killed in wars, so why not dogs and cats? A lot of us just like the bodies, and a lot of us feel the call to work with, love and interact with humans, while not necessarily wanting to BE one or being able to fulfill our purpose best that way. Doesn't that make sense? Now, a more interesting question is why, when and how do spirits choose to incarnate into physical form at ALL. Ah-HAH! Fascinating, eh, Grasshopper? (Heh heh heh!)
[Note: "Grasshopper" is a loose interpretation of the wordless concept Maya gave me of a mind-boggled student, but she approved of it when I explained it to her. - GK]
Now, selective breeding. (Sigh.) This is a tough one, because I don't really understand it. The truth is, I want to be who I want to be, and I don't want anyone dictating who I'm supposed to breed with or not or what I'm supposed to look like. I don't get it. If people did this to humans, there'd be an outcry, and I've seen a lot of humans who shouldn't have been bred! But, I can tell you this. Some animals, especially dogs, really do like it. They are convinced that whatever breed they are is special and can really help humans, somehow. Dogs, most of all, don't mind altering themselves and changing, as a species, to better be able to serve their companion people and make them happy. They also buy into the praise they get for looking a certain way or having certain skills, too. Race horses do that, too. I think this is less so than cats, although I have talked to some snooty purebreeds, I will tell you that. However, I will say, have you EVER met an animal more beautiful than ME in your LIFE, purebreed or not? I didn't THINK so. And you can't tell me otherwise. So, there you go, I think I'm fantastic, and I'm what some people would call "common." HAH!!!
I think I've mentioned before that it takes all kinds, even those with "flawed" bodies. I'm deaf, and who cares about that? The truth is, some people are going to like one kind of animal and some people are going to like others. Some will feel good about rescuing a stray with special needs, others find some animals "so ugly, they're cute", and others only want certified bloodlines checked for body form and health. (Actually, it's kind of funny with dogs, because they've been bred into all these different body shapes from just a couple original types, and now people are so picky about getting those breeds just the right way for health, which wasn't a problem in the first place, when they were just... dogs! Heh.) I'm not going to criticize one over the other, especially since often people like more than one type, or animals and people pick each other, and that's just how it's meant to be. I'm just going to say that if you can look into the HEART of the creature and respect them and find some love -- or at least live and let live -- then you're on the right track. After all, we've all got lessons to learn and have to choose what we're comfortable with. I think the humans have more to learn than the other animals in that respect. That said, I can't vouch for the intellect or emotional health of a lot of animals out there, either!
Well, I said it. I think that's about it. I hope that helps.
Blessings to you & yours, and don't forget to care for those you've helped make dependant on you!
Love,
- Maya The Cat, The Great One, Queen Maya
More "Ask Maya" archives on pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10
Copywright 2002-2003, Gretchen Kunz
