Recent scientific studies indicate that many animals also have consciousness even though it’s different from humans. For instance, our little dog, Pumpkin (who, I must note, my family named without my consent), has a different awareness than me. She cannot recognize herself in a mirror, but she is conscious of herself by smelling her own feces (I’m happy that’s not a human quality).
Losing a loved one is perhaps the most painful experience we go through as humans. It’s often surreal to look at the body of a family member or friend and realize that they have passed away.
Our current state of unawareness reminds me of the story of a farmer… While walking through the forest one day, the farmer found a young eagle that had fallen out of its nest. Feeling sorry for the injured bird, he brought it home and left it in the farmyard with his chickens. It did not take long for the king of birds to regain strength and grow. But confined to the pen, it had adopted the behaviors and eating habits of the chickens.
In the evening, we go to bed, close our eyes, blanket both our bodies and minds and wait for our waking consciousness to fade. While we sleep, we are unaware of time, our bodies, and our surroundings.
When the son wandered off in rebellion, he didn’t cease being a son. He just wasn’t aware of it anymore. He falsely assumed that because of his guilt he was unworthy of a union with his father.
