The other night, I stepped out onto the back patio, drawn by a sweet smell and cool breeze. I found myself rocking slightly back and forth with the wind in the trees, when I heard a Great Horned Owl. I became still, my senses alert, and filled with awe.
Coincidentally, my friend Tim had forwarded me an article on listening to birds that ended with this: Birds live in the moment, and when I’m listening to them, so do I. A Great Horned Owl’s call brought the writer to a heightened state of aliveness. Clearly, we both felt pierced with presence.
Here are several striking owls calls in a two minute clip. You may want to close your eyes and imagine your own after-dark experience:
Would you like the science on the benefits here? Mo, another reader, shared a scientific study on the effects of listening to sounds of nature vs urban sounds. This article speaks to nature’s impact on body and mood, including lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation, and increasing positivity.
What busyness keeps us from stepping outside and going silent inside? Is it so hard? Sometimes I find myself so churned up with daily stuff that taking a moment to step beyond the sliding glass door into my backyard seems daunting.
Yet, it’s exactly what I need. The night I heard that owl, I slept better than I had in days. I remembered that humans aren’t the only species on the planet. As I took deeper breaths (just naturally, not yoga-forcing), I rediscovered a rhythm that’s calm, connected to all life, and far more enjoyable.
So, here’s permission to be as wise as an owl. Let’s step out beyond that inertia when the pressure of our next to-do item or our binge-watching wants to take charge. Let’s listen to the birds, and remember.
That is living as music.
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Comments:
Wonderful Emma, so uplifting to read this and listen to the owl calls. It brought to mind my own experiences, since early childhood, of lying in bed at night and listening to the call of a 'Mowpoke' owl. Throughout my life its call has always given me a sense of peace, that all is well. Terry has described it perfectly, "They are truly music to our inner being." Thank you so much for sharing. Perfect timing, as always.
I just looked up the sound of the Mowpoke owl, Beth. Very cool. How lovely to have a sound from early childhood that gives a sense of peace. 🦉 Thank you for chiming in!🎶
This is amazing! I had not realized there were so many different owl calls. For decades I've heard the Great Horned Owl call and thought most owl calls were the same. They are truly music to our inner being. I love the peace and gentleness these owls exude. It's a sense of balance and integration with all life - a calm centeredness. No wonder they are termed "wise". Their calls are indeed healing to the physical body and to Soul. Thanks so much for sharing these, Emma!
I was surprised, too, Terry! Who knew so many different owls had unique calls? I have a connection to them that probably spans lifetimes. I love how you said “they are music to our inner being.” Thanks so much for your comment!