https://www.glz.org/en/spiritual-world-online/issues/spiritual-world-2021/spiritual-world-2-2021 https://www.glz.org/en/spiritual-world-online/issues/spiritual-world-2021/spiritual-world-2-2021#glz-modal Lene, 22 September 1968 (excerpt) Spiritual Animals as Guardians of Human Beings In the meditation week of 1968, Lene gave further insight into the bond between humans and animals as well as the tasks that animals can fulfill alongside their former masters. These animals may well be deceased pets, but they can also be heavenly animals that have never lived on earth and whose connection with a human being goes far back, to the time before the fall of the spirits. Lene: […] You will be astonished when I tell you that animals can also be guardians against lower, evil spirits. They include animals that once had an earthly body as well as those that have never had to incarnate. They can be animals that have a master or those that seek a master among human beings. The spiritual gate can be opened for them in order that they fulfill their tasks alongside human beings and cultivate relationships with them. Here is an example: someone once had a loyal dog. If this person treated it well, then after its earthly death this animal feels bound to its former master in its spiritual body. The animal is then drawn back to its master. It is the odic tie that bound the dog during its earthly life to the master whom it obeyed. For as long as the master lives, the dog can now be a loyal companion and guardian to them. And woe, woe when lower beings approach its master with evil intentions. This dog then does what a dog does. This is perhaps also new to you, but that is how it is. These tempters who find their way to human beings are not always badly dressed – they are masters in the art of disguising themselves and are able to stand before a human being as an elegant figure. But they do not succeed in changing their murky od. And the dog still has exactly this instinct and senses it. It does not know this lower being who approaches its master, but the repulsiveness of their smell prevents the dog from letting such a being approach its master, and it goes for them. The temptation is then over. There are loyal animals that are so attached to their master. Well, this was about an animal that was once incarnated. There are also animals that have not yet been incarnated or that never have to take on an earthly body. They also select human beings, because they see the higher beings and how they care for human beings. They see everything spiritually; after all, the animal is also spiritual, it has a spiritual body. Because of this, it is able to perceive that which is spiritual. Thus, these animals also believe they have the right to live alongside human beings, and they are permitted this right. Many a spiritual animal has been able to rescue a human being. In the spiritual world, noble and magnificent horses live together in great community. Among their own kind, they have a happy and beautiful existence in vast spiritual fields. But it is precisely these horses that leave their ranks when it pleases them. They are also able to seek out a human being and be their loyal companion. They try to protect them and would dearly like to carry them. If this person is now able to move themselves into that which is spiritual, it is possible that a wonderful experience can take place with such an animal. The horse is able to carry them for a while before bringing the human spirit back, because the human being is bound to their body. But such an animal will come time and again to its master. In this respect, it may well be that a connection exists. It can therefore, as I emphasized, be horses that are allowed to live in the spirit world for the glory and beautification of heaven and that are collected now and then for high festivals and also have their tasks to fulfill. But it can also be the case that such an animal has a bond with a human being on earth that goes far, far back. It might have been that a human being was once master of such an animal, and when they had to separate from the glories [during the fall], these animals were without a master and were led into those vast fields. There they can live, and it is from there that they seek the path, because the trail has not been eradicated. The animal finds the trail, but it does not know what kind of bond it has with this human being, what the relationship with them once was. It simply feels comfortable with this human being and is attached to them. The animal expresses its affection for the human being with its love, its submission to them. So, the horse also has its task, and in this way animals can live close to human beings, protecting and guarding them. However, there are also spiritual animals that stride across this earthly world as if in a wilderness and do not feel attached to any human being. They can be animals that possess a wondrous healing power. Simply in passing by they can leave behind a healing current that is of benefit to human beings. The healing current that this animal leaves behind, this odic power, is healing for human beings. Just as every living being in this world is enveloped by an odic power, the same is true in the spiritual realm. Every being is enveloped by their own odic power, permeated by it. So many things happen in this world of which humans have no idea. In general, animals are able to stand up against lower beings. By this is meant those animals that have their existence in the spiritual world but that are allowed to roam the earthly world. They also sense that which is repulsive and take action against it. Human beings are thereby protected when these spiritual animals attack and repel those lower beings. It happens because these spiritual animals are led by angels of God against those lower powers, and they fear this. It is not always necessary for an angel of God to come in order to admonish those who do evil – they are also able to send out these spiritual animals. There are so many spirits living on earth, and you have already been told that there are guardians everywhere. It is not only spirit beings who fight against evil – spiritual animals are also there if necessary. […] Questions and Explanations Dear Joseph, there are so many people who disapprove of keeping pets and even detest them. I am of the opinion that all animals are creatures of God and that we also do pets a service when we care for them with love and kindness. Am I on the wrong track? Joseph: No, you are on the right track. You should love animals. This is also desired. Christ, too, once picked up a small cat that was wandering around somewhere, very hungry and wild. He took it to his chest and later gave it to one of his followers for her to look after. You do well – and all people do well – when you love animals. It is right to do as you do. Love these animals, because a divine kernel is in them too. (1950) Dear friend Joseph, is there any merit in prolonging the life of an animal that would otherwise be killed? And is this also of benefit for the animal itself, that is, for its development? Joseph: My dear friends, everything that human beings do for the sake of another is of merit. There are people who fulfill a labor of love from within. They have an urge to give particular love to this or that. And this also includes animals. When human beings contribute to prolonging the life of especially these pets that are cared for by human beings, they have spiritual merit insofar as they – how shall I explain this to you – strengthen this kernel. I would almost like to say that this fruit is better able to mature, so that this animal can be spared one or two incarnations. So it is of merit when something is cared for in such a way that it becomes more precious and, correspondent to its preciousness, is set in a particular place. After all, all life ascends, and everything should serve upward spiritual development. So, also in this case, human beings help upward spiritual development by prolonging the life of such an animal. (1950) When a person meditates and deepens themselves inwardly, do they then transmit their spiritual well-being or their elevated joy to animals in their proximity? Joseph: Certainly, because they then have a special emanation. Indeed, they are strengthened, and their light shines through. The casing is broken, everything is open – everything streams out. And everything that comes to them may receive from this light. That is why it is so important for my friends to go into this quiet hour, because they are then so strengthened, and it benefits them and their entire household. A human being thereby emanates a loveliness, a beauty, and unfolds a power that those nearby may absorb. This is therefore beneficial for their pet as well. (1950) Is it not thoughtless of us to support circuses by visiting them, where animals accustomed to freedom are kept cooped up in very small cages? Joseph: Yes, perhaps, dear friends. But bear in mind that all these animals in your zoos and circuses receive their daily food; they never have to go hungry. In contrast, they have a much more austere life in the wild. They have to take care of their own food and often have no food for a long, long time – days and weeks – and in this way they often perish as well, because they starve to death. So, in this respect, these animals in zoos and circuses have a better life. Their food is taken care of. I would also like to add that human beings should never be fanatical in any way. Yes, of course, animals love nature, freedom – they would like to go out, but, on the other hand they are given other possibilities to love and be loved, with the result that they are content. (1952) Dear Joseph, what is the attitude of the spiritual world toward vivisection [operation on a living organism for research purposes]? Joseph: Dear friends, whatever causes an animal pain is not supported. Human beings have other possibilities to conduct research. The good spirit world of God only supports that which serves the other. But what you are referring to is a violation of spiritual laws, even if your doctors claim that they are able to learn from it. As I have already said, there are enough forces available that one can use. The doctors should work with these forces, which would not require any more time than the other thing they do. For the spiritual world, everything that hurts and distresses a human being in the slightest is reprehensible – and also that which harms an animal. From the spiritual world’s point of view, all of this is reprehensible. (1950 and 1952) As is generally known, the technical sciences have invented things only to discover afterward that they already existed in nature. It is now believed that migratory birds must have some kind of “radar organ”. Is it not rather the case that a guiding spirit ensures the safe direction of migratory birds? Joseph: I would first of all like to say that these animals also have certain leading animals that guide the whole flock. They are the strongest animals, whose odic sense of smell is best developed, and they are therefore the most reliable at finding the once-traveled route again. Not every animal would be suitable as a leader. But if an animal of a particular species has once completed this flight, it leaves behind an odic trail, and a healthy animal of the same species will find the route again by means of this trail. A healthy animal is also able to find this odic route again on its own, but it must be healthy. That is why migratory birds congregate and fly as a group. This gives them the feeling of security, because there are animals among them that have lost this sense because they have become older or are no longer entirely healthy. They no longer find the way on their own. That is why they join together. But a healthy animal would also find the way completely on its own. It follows the existing route, which countless birds of its own species have already flown before it. Those that stay behind and do not join the migration are the weak ones: those that no longer have the connection and odic sense of smell. Are migratory birds not also accompanied by a spirit being who leads them on their journey? And if so, to what extent do they intervene in these bird migrations? Joseph: It is the case that in nature too there are spirits of God everywhere who fulfill the role of guardian, who interest themselves in development. Animals are also subject to spiritual supervision, but you must not think that every bird migration has to be led by a spirit of God. That is not what is meant. (5.6.1963) ------------- er 1965 (excerpt) Comfort for Animal Lovers – What Happens to a Cherished Pet after Its Death? The death of a pet often causes great sorrow for the whole family. After all, the animal was like a family member – it was given love, and it gave love and affection in turn. Spirit-teacher Lene gives animal lovers the comforting assurance that life goes on for animals, and that their connection with human beings endures beyond death. Lene: […] Dear brothers and sisters, many of you have asked yourselves, “What actually happens to the many animal souls? After all, so many animals are killed …” Some of you have also thought that it cannot be right to simply kill an insect so rashly. Truly it is good for human beings to be taught about these things as well. I will do my best to give you explanations in this regard. When it comes to pets, one would dearly like to know, “What happens to them? Where do they go? Where do they live? Are they immediately transformed? Do they continue to live with the human beings whom they loved?” You are always directed to the fact that there is a level of development in the spirit world that runs parallel to that of human beings. You are also taught that there is a spiritual animal kingdom. I will now try to share with you more details about the integration of these soul-bodies, these [spiritual] animal bodies. If, for example, you have lost an animal that you particularly loved, then at first you will certainly be very sad about it. The animal lover is sad when they have to let go of one of their pets – they have a special relationship with the animal. That is why it hurts them as much as losing a beloved human being, because the animal meant a great deal to them. It had perhaps received much love and had loved its master in turn – and now this animal must also leave this world. Indeed, an animal can produce certain sounds, and with these sounds it can express pain and discomfort. This is a sign that an animal feels pain. But it can also feel the love and attention it is given. When the spiritual animal body has detached itself from the material body, this spiritual animal body is then led into animal paradise by spirits of God. Spirits are also there for human beings, ready to accompany you over the threshold; they do not leave you to your fate, regardless of whether you take up a high or low spiritual position. Spirits are there, ready to guide the homecomer – they do not remain unnoticed. Indeed, they are recorded or inscribed in a book in the plan of salvation and order; no one can be forgotten. Now, you should not think that it is only human beings who are given this attention, that only human beings are personalities and creatures of God – animals are also creatures of God. They also stand on the ladder of ascent, and animals will later enter a higher life. Thus, animals are also given attention. I would, however, like to be understood correctly: I only mean those animals that are on a higher spiritual level – I do not want to speak of insects here. When these animals have laid aside their body, they are also somewhat dazed in the beginning [like deceased human beings]. These animals are led into animal paradise by spirits of God who are chosen for this purpose. All of them will find a loving reception among their own kind, among their own species. You know that there is always a leader in a herd; it desires to be the strongest and leading animal – the others have to obey it. There is a wonderful order in the spiritual world: there, animals are precisely classified into races, species, and subspecies. A spirit of God now leads the animal to its place, and this animal is greeted by a leading animal of its own species. I am speaking here – and I would like to emphasize this especially – about animals who are on a higher level of development. The animal will be led by a spirit of God, but the proper reception takes place from animal to animal. The spiritual animal certainly recognizes the guidance of this spirit being; they are a master for it, similar to a human. But in the animal world it will be greeted by a leader of its own species, and, indeed, this takes place in the same way that animals greet each other when they still have their earthly body: they smell each other, lick each other, and the friendship is sealed. In the spiritual animal kingdom there is no snarling, no denying; rather, this member of the same species is accepted. This animal kingdom is very, very large, and many species find themselves together there. So there is joy when another returns. According to their species, according to their race, the various animals then take care of the new arrival, and they try to mother it in its early stages. With you human beings it is like this: when a mother gives birth to a child, she rejoices when everything is in order. She will love her little child, she will hug and kiss it – through this little child, a greater love will awaken in her. And the love for this little child will become even greater when the child’s father is also loved – in this way, love increases. This is not always the case among human beings; this is not always a matter of course. Many a little child is born and considered a burden; the father of this little child might never have been loved. There is no opportunity for love to unfold – it might even be diminished. That is the human way. Human beings can be loveless. In their world, so much – or everything – is imperfect, and so they behave imperfectly. The spirit realm, however, is different, even when it comes to animals. The spiritual animal no longer carries the wildness that it had in an earthly body – this animal is now released from all wildness. Fear and distress no longer await the animal. It senses this, as I have already told you and as you also know. The new atmosphere, the spiritual world that it enters, has an uplifting effect on the animal – if only because the return signifies ascent for the animal, a piece of liberation, even if its confinement to this animal body will still last a long time. It should therefore be pleasing, and not only interesting, for human beings to know that animals in the spiritual animal kingdom mostly have a better existence than they do among human beings. This may also comfort those friends who have already had to separate from a cherished pet. You have already been given messages about situations in which animals have played a role. I would also like to explain that spirits of God – or, let us say, deceased relatives or friends – have the possibility to collect an animal that meant something to you in life and to enter your home with it. They would dearly like you to sense that this spiritual animal is with you again. Unfortunately, this is only possible in rare cases: only with those human beings who have spiritual insight, who possess sensitivity and are able to perceive that they have been brought something that was very precious to them in life. The animal also rejoices, because it smells the familiar scent of its master. The odic tie that connected the animal with its master is not dissolved so quickly. After a certain time into its spiritual stay, this odic force will indeed transform, and the animal’s interest or longing to return to its master diminishes or dissolves entirely. After all, an animal can also have the longing to return to the home where it was allowed to live together with human beings. This longing, however, is only present in those animals that received love and attention from human beings; animals otherwise have no desire to return, because they have truly entered a better, more beautiful world. With such a message, a human being can sometimes be given joy, and they are given proof that it is possible to guide this spiritual animal to humans. This does not happen without meaning – a task is to be connected with this joy. After all, we always emphasize that the divine world is only oriented toward that which is meaningful. On the one hand a guardian spirit – or a friend or relative who has returned to the spirit world – gives a human being joy by bringing such an animal into their home or into their vicinity, in order that this joy can come to expression. On the other hand a task can be connected to an animal that a person especially loved: the animal body is to have a positive influence on the health of the human being. As far as odic currents are concerned, animals can generally fulfill a task with human beings because their influence on the health and recovery of a human being is significant. That is not to say, however, that every animal can contribute something to the recovery of a human being. The animal body has its own very special odic force, its magnetic vibration; and human beings are receptive to magnetic vibrations, odic forces. Just as the furs of dead animals can have a beneficial influence on human beings, the spiritual animal can also have a beneficial influence on a human being. Now, I am explaining this for your instruction, but these happenings are not something commonplace. After all, such an animal friendship is also not commonplace. This strong connection with specific animals is to be found particularly among animal lovers. If an improvement in the physical well-being of an animal lover can be achieved by guiding a spiritual animal to them, then the spirit of God responsible for this human being is willing to render this service. It is not commonplace, but it does happen. But back to the spiritual animal kingdom. Animals live there together according to their species, their races, and they live peacefully with each other. I would like to point out that these animals remain on their level until the time comes for them to be able to enter a higher level. Animals also progress through various levels of ascent according to their race. Every race has lower and higher levels. If an animal has reached the highest level, there will be a transformation into a higher life form. This as additional information for you. […] fra https://www.glz.org/en/spiritual-world-online/issues/spiritual-world-2021/spiritual-world-2-2021#glz-modal