People who have been diagnosed with mental illness are some of the most sensitive and beautiful people. I know because I have a brother who is schizophrenic. When he is stable on his medication, his true presence comes forward. He is very sensitive in his care of and connection with animals; he has a natural way with them. But unfortunately, the intensity of his medical history prevents him from learning animal communication.
I, myself, struggled with mild depression in my late 20’s and was on anti-depressant medication for a short period of time. The stress of my Masters Program took a toll on me, and I needed help. Being on anti-depressants for 6 months got me through this phase, and I am grateful this medicine was available to me.
All this said, learning animal communication while taking consciousness-altering medication is generally not advisable.
To learn feeling-based communication with animals, there is a reconnection to, and opening of, the parts of us that feel deeply. In this way, when we communicate with animals through images, feelings, knowings, etc, we feel with them and then translate that for their people. To do this you have to be deeply present with your own feelings so that you can feel with another being. It makes sense; a friend who is grieving is not going to share the depths of her pain with you if she senses you are not willing to relate to her sadness, if you are not able to go there with her. The same is true with animals.
This movement into the depth of feeling can destabilize people who are healing from a mental illness. People who have had mild conditions, without ever having had a psychotic break, can sometimes work with practitioners to reduce their medication, or go off of it entirely. In this way, they can perhaps be in a position to learn feeling-based communication with animals. I have several students who have done this and have been very successful in learning to communicate with animals through feeling.
If you are on medication for a mild condition and would like to work toward learning animal communication, email me at info@sharonloy.com. We can discuss your unique situation, and in addition to working with your existing medical professionals, I can connect you with supportive therapeutic practitioners who may be able to help.
