Wild Wisdom: Life Lessons from the Animal Kingdom

Did you know that the average human has sex once a week while the average Bonobo Chimpanzee has been found to have 20+ sexual experiences a day.

The average human is strong, but a leafcutter ant can carry up to 50 times its body weight. That’s the equivalent of lifting a fully loaded school bus over your head!

Or that humans sleep on average for 7-9 hours per day, while a giraffe only needs about 30 minutes to 2 hours of sleep per day? Talk about productivity.

It makes you wonder which creature on Earth has it the best.

When humanity decided approximately 12,000 years ago (the agricultural revolution) that the hunter gatherer life was getting too exhausting, we decided to take fate into our own hands.

Domestication, creation of societal  structures and taming of the ‘wild’ into our dependable way of life, took us one step closer to God-like status, as we evolved past our animal brethren, whom we shared the world with so closely up until that point.

Humans love control. But the paradox of control is, the more you try to exert it, the less you are to have it.

Philosophers call this, the law of detachment, or releasing attachment to an outcome and allowing forces greater than ourselves to manifest that reality.

That is it is destined to be in our life path.

Humans have always yearned for control, but at what expense?

It seems as we steamrolled ahead to ‘civilization’, we lost sight of the ancient wisdom that allowed us to be in a position to evolve in the first place.

Part of this wisdom was the ability to talk to nature. Our ancestors had to pay attention to EVERYTHING. To not pay attention, was to die. And to die, was an evolutionary punishment to the collective biological race called Homo Sapiens.

By paying attention to seasons, we could understand where the best settlement spots were.

By observing the ways of both hunter and prey, we could embody the practices of fight and flight.

To observe nature, was to level up. The primal Steve Jobs  would be the equivalent of a chieftain who discovered a new edible fruit (maybe…dare I say it, an Apple?)

Primal Power: Knowledge and experience that resides deep inside the human genome. Ancient wisdom that was skillfully learned through innovation and applied to move the evolution of our species forward.

Where are we now?

As we have progressed, and built our literal, emotional  and metaphysical walls around Nature, we have also become dumb, deaf and blind to the wisdom we once knew.

The primal skills, energies and connections that we have once known have now been ‘innovated’ for.

But with this progress/comfort, what have been the costs?

• We are the richest we have ever been, but many in the world live in poverty
• We are connected through technology, but rates of loneliness are at their highest
• We are technologically advanced, but the planet is reaching it’s tipping point

Breaking Free

There is good news. Nature’s wisdom is everywhere, all we have to do is bring awareness. Transcend the self-imposed limitations and choose to live differently. It is possible.

The first step is to cultivate awareness.

You do this by learning, understanding and then noticing.

When you have a new car on your mind, you see it everywhere.

Similarly, information that sticks will present itself once you calibrate your sensors for them.

When seeking awareness of ourselves, we can turn to Nature as one of our best teachers.

It is a teacher to not just the other 8 billion humans, but all ~20 quintillion (billion billion) animals on Earth.

The rest of this article will explore the inner workings and wisdom behind the animal beings we share this world with.

5 Steps to Reclaiming your “Human Nature”

In every game, there are rules. When we look at the game of Life, it is no different.

Let’s look at the rules of the game (I.e the laws of the universe) in which all creatures abide by. Understand the big picture variables.

Fact #1: You are an animal.

What is an animal?

A Living organism that:

• Has the ability to move: To search for food, avoid predators, and find mates.
• Can respond to stimuli: We can adapt and navigate in our surroundings.
• Can reproduce: Sexually mate with a partner and keep the species lineage alive.
• Heterotrophic: We get our energy by consuming other organisms.
• Multicellular: We are made of cells that work together to perform different functions.

When you look at the above stats, the rules seem simple:

• Movement is Natural
• Responding to your environment, take action and seek stimuli
• Reproduce and co-create life with a partner and community to ensure our survival
• Eat healthy, nutritious meals to fuel yourself like a winner
• Keep your body (and mind) in balance

At its core, this is what it means to biologically exist, and why for the animals of this Earth, the optimization of the above = success.

But we both know this is not the reality.

Let’s take this same list and see how it relates to the ‘rules’ of our society:

Society Says:

• Movement is Natural : Stay sedentary through work and entertainment.
• Respond to your environment : Stay comfortable and don’t think.
• Reproduce and build connection : Age of hookup culture and loneliness.
• Eat nutritious whole foods : Fake food, bad nutrition and chronic disease.
• Keep your body and mind in balance : Work/life balance? Don’t be silly, $ is your life.

Looking at the above, it’s not rocket science to understand where widespread feelings of frustration and disconnect come from.

Breaking Free

1) Movement is Natural

The average human spends approximately 23 years of their life sitting.

This sedentary lifestyle has brought rise to the slew of issues we face: obesity, blood pressure, mental fog etc.

Remember, our modern society has been designed counter to what is natural.

To live naturally is often to do the reverse of what has been taught to us as ‘natural’.

Our bodies are our vehicles of which we experience our life.

As children it’s easy to forget this fact, but it is something we all become acutely aware of as we age. As such, listening to our bodies is important.

When we look at the inner workings of our body “everything is in motion”.

From our circulatory system, to the rise and fall of our lungs and our perpetually beating heart, we are always moving.

Our bodies need movement to keep us in flow with life.

To stay stagnant, is to restrict the energy or life force we can receive when we are open.

This life force energy has been described in many ancient human cultures and societies.

In Chinese culture it is referred to as Chi (qi), and in ancient Sanskrit it is referred to as Prana.

In both cultures, movement and breath are your tools to tap into this energy.

The rise of Yoga and Qi Gong are powerful practices that help unlock and move this energy within you, so you can feel energized, vibrant and abundant.

The benefits of movement are plentiful, but what can you do today to connect you to your body?

Benefits of regular exercise and movement:

• Reduces inflammation
• Activates endorphins in the brain (the feel good neurochemicals)
• Strengthens muscles resulting in aesthetic and mobility benefits
• You are statistically going to live longer

2) Respond to your environment (Stimuli)

When a baby koala (joey) is born, it is a matter of life or death when it comes to understanding its environment.

Life is the pouch and the nipple, which precious energy-giving milk stems from.

Learning quickly is biologically hard-coded to increase survival.

If the joey is unable to respond to its environment, then nature has a way of dealing a harsh lesson to the koala species by removing one participant from the game (gene pool).

Humans are no different, but instead of our mortality, we can suffer a fate worse than death:

*An unconscious life with regrets on our deathbed. *

Being an ‘animal’ means to undertake the challenges life throws our way.

By meeting these challenges head on, we declare to the world: “I AM READY”.

The universe responds by presenting both opportunities and challenges that force the person to grow.

This very act is the process of evolution.

“He who does not balk in the face of adversity is one of true strength.”

When we recount our blessings, gratitude must be expressed for the good fortune we have been given. Chances are, if you are reading this on a stable internet connection, you have:

• A roof over your head
• Food on the table
• Access to healthcare

With these blessings, comes the next step of pursuing a meaningful goal in service of the betterment of the planet.

Look at the current stimuli in your life. This can be your environment, friends, food, entertainment etc.

How are you responding?

Are there improvements you wish to make, like getting in shape, starting that podcast or moving to that new city you’ve dreamed of?

Challenge yourself to do hard things.

It’s how you live, learn and evolve.

Hard times create strong men➡️ Strong men create good times ➡️ Good times create weak men ➡️ Weak men create hard times 🔁

3) Reproduce / Attract / Co-Create

Sex. The pursuit of a partner. The co-creation of life.

Reproduction and the primal instinct to pass our genetic code is as natural as breathing, eating and sleeping.

Beyond the physical pleasure of sex, an animal’s pursuit oftentimes is the pinnacle achievement of its life.

Salmon spawn in freshwater streams to migrate to the ocean to live as sea dwelling fish. When they reach sexual maturity (between 1-5 years), they make the arduous trek back to their birth ground, where they die shortly after spawning.

Along the way, they serve as a vital food source for hundreds of species.

Humans are not immune to the desire to mate and form deep bonds with their partners. Although we are luckier than salmon in our ability to do so.

In fact, humans are one of a handful of species that engage in non-reproductive sex.

We share the list with:

• Bonobo chimpanzees
• Dolphins
• Lions

Amongst others.

Many animals engage in non-reproductive sexual behavior, for a variety of reasons, such as social bonding, establishing dominance, and as a form of communication.

Taking a step back, the pursuit of a partner in the animal kingdom means to be worthy of passing along your genetic code.

As such, sexual and evolutionary competitiveness has created the wonders we see such as:

• The stunning crown of a Stags’ Antlers
• The magnificence of a Lions’ mane
• The dazzling display of a Peacock’s plumage

For humans, the principle is the same. While physical appearances play a role in indicating reproductive viability, our ability to form complex behaviours adds more dimensions.

What are some ways humans display their sexual competitiveness?

Physical appearance

Humans may try to enhance their physical appearance in order to be perceived as more attractive to potential partners.

Ex.This may involve grooming and styling their hair, wearing certain clothing or accessories, and engaging in activities to maintain or improve physical fitness.

Material possessions

Some people may try to display their wealth or status through material possessions in order to be perceived as more attractive to potential partners.

Ex. This may involve buying expensive clothing, cars, or other luxury items.

Social status

Some people may try to enhance their social status in order to be perceived as more attractive to potential partners.

Ex. This may involve seeking out leadership roles, achieving academic or professional success, or engaging in activities that are perceived as prestigious or elite.

Note: Not all of the above are limited to sexual competitiveness, as they can also relate to the desire of social acceptance and self-esteem.

However, the primal force of reproduction guides many of our decisions, consciously and subconsciously.

Magnetizing your highest self and partner / Improving yourself in the pursuit of creation

Sex is a dance of creation.

When love is made, the union between two bodies is a work of art unfolding.

The essence of this union is to bring a new life into existence. When we reflect on this, it is the act of creation, or bringing forth a new being that will in turn live to create.

SEX = Sacred Energy Exchange

To share is to be at your most vulnerable state and allow the energy of one another to commingle.

It is no wonder that anyone who pours their souls into their craft refer to their work of art as their ‘baby’.

The pursuit of sex, may be one of the most important driving forces behind human motivation. Famed psychologist Sigmun Freud developed his entire theory of psychoanalysis on this theory.

But beyond reproduction and pleasure, it is about creation and connection.

In this pursuit, growth happens by going down the path of a creator.

When you put energy into a project or goal with the intention of watching it grow and impact the world, the universe responds.

“Every action has an equal and opposite reaction”

As you challenge yourself to do hard things, expand your body and mind through the movement of energy, you will naturally exude magnetism.

Those who resonate with you and your message, will come to you.

Here are 7 scientifically (and nature) backed ways to enhance your magnetism instantly be more attractive:

• Good hygiene
• Dress well
• Exude Confidence
• Maintain eye contact
• Exhibit Physical and Mental strength
• Kindness & Empathy
• Passion and Fun

4) Eat Natural

You are what you eat.

All animals are heterotrophs, from the Greek world hetero “other” and trophe “nutrients”.

Unlike plants (autotrophs), heterotrophs get their energy from other organisms.

In nature energy is gained through:

• Plant matter (herbivores)
• Animal matter (carnivores)
• Both plant and animal matter (omnivores)
• Decomposing matter (scavengers)
• Energy through living hosts (Parasites)

Everything begins with the Sun. That giant ball of gas and fire, 147 million km away is the generator of all life on Earth. From its radiant energy, coupled with the life-giving force of water, plants convert these elements into energy.

This energy is passed from one organism to the next. In biology these are called trophic levels.

The simple rule is this.

When you consume another organism, it’s life force is now entering you.

Beyond its energy, its entire life story now becomes yours.

In indigenous cultures, it was common to leave a portion of the kill to the land, as tribute and thanks for the abundance and blessing of a good hunt.

In Islam, the process of halal meat stems from offering a prayer to the spirit of the animal and the Divine at the time of sacrifice.

Zooming out, society has opted to productize this through the use of factory farming and other denaturing processes. “Don’t ask how the hotdog is made”.

If we are what we eat, then bring awareness to the origins of our food.

Understand the impacts GMO foods have on our health, soil and biodiversity.

Understand the toxins present in common food products and seek to switch to organic alternatives.

Understand the emotional state of the living organisms we choose to consume.

If we are blessed to invest in premium food, do so. Our health is arguably the most important asset we have.

Being mindful of where an organism came from, can lead to an understanding of yourself.

If you feel like crap all the time, take a look at what you are putting into your body.

Start there and measure how you feel. Being mindful of where an organism came from, can lead to an understanding of yourself.

I understand it is not feasible for us to buy organic, farm-raised, wholesome food all the time. But the smallest of actions can snowball into an avalanche of change. Bring awareness, start here and let nature do the rest. Your body will thank you.

Try this; the next time you visit the supermarket investigate the ingredient list. Choose an item that has ingredients you understand and/or pronounce vs. a competing product that does not.

When enjoying it, take note of how it looks, tastes, and how you feel afterwards.

Send me an email with your findings (and what you ended up eating.. I love me some good foodie recommendations 😋)

5) Keeping your body (and mind) in balance

We are multicellular.

We are a complex symphony of moving parts, from the microscopic to the subatomic level.

All of these moving parts work together with their specific function to allow us to live.

But what happens when one of these parts stops working?

It throws our entire system out of balance, and our bodies require time and energy to rest, recover and heal.

Personally, I have to check in with my energy levels every day as it’s normal to go through cycles.

Some days I feel like a bouncy kangaroo!

The sun is out, the birds are chirping and I feel energized to seize the day.

Other days I feel more like a sloth, the day may be grey and I need time to be with myself, in my space.

All are part of the natural cycles, and it’s something I have to remind myself of when I’m feeling “off”.

The ability to bring our attention and awareness to the inner workings of our mind is called mindfulness. It’s what allows us to pass a filter through our thoughts and emotions and allows us to be the observer of our thoughts and feelings.

From this calm place, we are equipped to make better decisions and judgements.

Start by  checking in with yourselves.

We’re balancing so much in our bodies and minds all the time, it’s like building a racecar as it’s moving at 100mph.

• The Physical: Have I eaten?
• The Mental: Did I send that important email last week?
• The Emotional: I need to talk to my partner about my needs.

All of these things work in the background as we go through our regular lives. Working jobs, caring for our loved ones and doing our normal human functions.

One of the biggest lessons I learned last year was the concept of: Boundaries.

I am a natural giver (as I’m sure many who are reading this are too).

I love this part of myself, but what I found is when I continuously give without recharging, it leaves me drained and out of touch with myself.

To bring into balance, I recharge by self-care and doing things I intuitively want.

You can’t pour from an empty cup.

To receive is to also ‘give’ to yourself. Give yourself permission to receive and refill your cup.

Having a clear mission and purpose can focus your efforts and give you the kick in the pants you need to keep going.

Part of being a human and an animal is to understand that there is always movement happening within us. Instead of fighting it, bringing awareness and balancing all parts of ourselves is the key to living happy, fulfilling lives.

“When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.

You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you."

Thank you for reading

Thank you for reading and being a part of the journey!

If you liked this article, please reach out, I connect with all 🙂

It’s an exciting time of movement, Spring is here and things are emerging.

My goal is to share my journey as I go through life building community, awareness and experiences of joy and love.