We often forget that we are animals, too. Our modern society tends to think of our collective self as separate from the rest of the animal kingdom and even superior, but the truth is that we are just a part of the evolution of life on Earth. And we are not separate, for we are as much a part of it as is any other life form.

Many people in recent times are rediscovering that dolphins and whales are at least on a similar level to that of humans. I say "rediscovering" because the people of ancient Greece and Rome, and many indigeneous tribes, looked upon the cetaceans as being equals or even higher. Modern research definitely is opening us to this obvious possibility.

But beyond all classifications, life on Earth is rapidly evolving into something that is greater than the individual parts. And if man is to continue to grow and evolve, perhaps now is the best time to begin to communicate with our animal friends, to learn the wisdom that we so sadly seem to lack.

It is clear that we humans are not fully able to understand how to create sustainable forms of living in balance with nature. But our animal friends have been doing this for millions of years. Could we not learn from them if we could only talk to them?

Long ago, according to the Christian Bible, there was One Language on Earth that everyone knew, and through this language we were able to talk not only to each other but also to the animals. Then Babel, a tower to reach the heavens, was constructed, and God divided the people, giving us all different languages. But remember: Before this there was One Language.

Where did this One Language go? There has never been a trace of it in the archeological records. How could the Bible be so wrong unless the One Language was not words or hieroglyphs that could be chiseled on walls or inscribed in clay tablets. Perhaps the One Language did not even use vocal chords — or anything else related to what we think of as communication.

The indigenous peoples of the world, many of them, speak about a "One Language" that comes from a secret place in the heart. It's a place that creates images in the other person but does not necessarily use sound. The aboriginals in Australia speak about this place and refer to it as the Dream Time: a place wherein all life forms, not only humans, are intimately connected.

People all over the world are searching for this "secret," realizing how important it is at this moment of evolutionary chaos. They are searching for ways to communicate with the animals and find the secret knowledge that could save humanity and all of nature. So this issue of the Spirit of Ma'at offers a glimpse into the world of animal communication through some of the people who have ventured down this long-unexplored river of possibilities.

If you get excited by these possibilities, you are not alone. Push your boat into this river, and you may be surprised at how many people are devoting their entire lives to such a seemingly simple endeavor.

And if you need help in putting your boat into the waters, we hope this issue will offer that help.

In love and service,

Drunvalo