The Illusion of Separation

Our new puppy, Buster.

We have a new 3-month-old puppy!  He is a wonderful addition to our family and becoming a fun companion for our 5-year-old Sheltie, Macey. We named him Buster Brown. (Yes, some of us are old enough to remember a children’s shoe store by that name). For those of you who have never raised a puppy before, it is just like a baby, requiring 24/7 observation and guidance or redirection.  Redirection from undesirable behavior to behavior that will keep him safe and happy.  Actually, keep us all happy. :)

To help him adjust to his new home, we try to stay in visual range so he can see us and feel safe.  If I leave the room to say, oh take a shower, he panics.  Even though he is in his safe house (a crate that my husband has lovingly trained him to sleep and rest in) he will howl if he can’t see me.  This is separation anxiety.  However, it is an illusion since I am in the next room and still talking to him.  

This reminded me of how often we as humans can feel separate from others, from our family or from our connection to Source Energy. How often do we get anxiety when we haven’t heard from a loved one? Is it because we fear for their safety? Or is the anxiety because we feel out of control? With an elderly parent, (My dad, for instance) I know my anxiety lowers once I visit him and see him for myself.  

Here I am with my dad at my son’s wedding in October 2022.

However, the anxiety is the appearance of separation. I have found it is a good indicator that I am not focused on my connection to the Source of my being, the Infinite life sustaining energy that surrounds us all.  When I feel connected to this Power, I feel in balanced, harmonized and energized.  

You might ask, “Ok Susan but how do I get me some of that anxiety reducing harmony?”  Well, I will tell you… MEDITATION. 

Meditation has been proven in numerous studies to reduce stress, bring inner calmness and harmony.  I meditate daily. When I don’t, boy does my anxiety level rise. 

Daily, I play some soothing music, light a good smelling candle and drop into my heart where the wisdom of the One, the All resides. Sometimes my mind runs rampant just like my dogs when they are playing, but I simply breathe and return to inner listening. When I start my day this way, my inner balance and harmony leads me through any illusion of separation and anxiety.  Meditation reminds me that I am never alone or separate. 

Also, the observation, guidance and redirection you must maintain while training a puppy is the same thing that happens when we meditate.  During meditation, we observe our breath, our emotions and our thoughts.  We redirect our story or our false beliefs and open to guidance from the wisdom of our Higher Self.  

So yeah, separation is an illusion and the anxiety it produces within us is manageable.  With meditation, we remember that Source Energy is within and always available and we are all connected to It and to each other. 

Hmmmm…perhaps my puppy Buster is training me.  Cool.