We are not our bodies; we are spiritual beings having a physical experience. Envision our bodies as a frame, supporting and housing a priceless work of art. The frame is beautiful, but once it’s empty, it is still just the frame. It is not the perfect work of art that it once housed. So if we are not our bodies, then where do we go in order to find ourselves? We go inside; we consciously connect with our minds. Not all the sundry thoughts that are swirling around, but the centered thought that, when allowed, can block out all that noise in our heads. This mind, this centered thought, we come to realize is the priceless work of art. Although it is currently housed in a beautiful frame, it is not limited by it.

Our bodies were created for communication. We use our voices, hands, faces, legs and whole bodies to communicate what is needed. Although our minds can use our bodies for their own purpose, it does not have to be limited by the level of communication our bodies provide. Our minds are meant for expansion. Communicating this way brings things together; it joins rather than separates. We can connect to others this way. It’s actually how we communicate and put meaning behind the words. This is how telepathy works. We are sending and receiving information from each other and our animals all the time. Our animals are so adept at it that they display their telepathic abilities on an ongoing basis. They are not limited by our patterns of thought and definitions. The information is being sent out and is there for us to receive. Once we are willing to accept the concept of telepathic communication, then understanding how we may receive information from our animals is the next step.

What are the Clair Senses?

We receive telepathic information through our “clair senses”. This is a collective phrase that refers to all types of psychic sensitivity corresponding to our physical senses: seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, tasting and touching. We have access to all of these types of communication, but often we tend to gravitate toward our most natural means of communication.

Clairvoyance (clear seeing) means we receive the information in pictures or visual mental images in our minds’ “eye”. These pictures can be a quick single snapshot or a little scene as if it is a small movie. Sometimes the image that comes to mind can be symbolic—such as a red light—and sometimes we can see an actual image of what the animal is seeing, or wants us to see. Often we intuitively understand what the images mean, but if that is not the case, ask for clarification. Clairvoyants receive extrasensory impressions and symbols in the form of “inner sight”, without the aid of physical eyes. Although long visual impressions are often easier to receive when we are meditating, quick snapshots can be obtained at any time, even if we are presently thinking about something else. This is actually a good way to know that the image we just saw in our minds didn’t come from our own, because we simply weren’t thinking about it.

Clairaudience, (clear hearing) is the perception of sounds or words that are broadcast without audible sound. In the case of animal communication, it is understanding what an animal’s vocalizations mean. The voice that we hear may sound like our own inner voice, or it may sound like something different. It may come from within our minds, or within our bodies, or it may sound like it comes from outside our bodies all together. If it sounds like a faint voice, feel free to ask them to speak up. Or it may be clear as a bell. We have most likely been taught that “hearing voices” is a sign of insanity. But that is just another distraction of our “ego” voice, telling us that we can’t actually be doing this. That what we know in our hearts to be true is somehow wrong or false. Remember, the act of communicating joins us with another being, and to the ego this is its demise.

Clarsentience is to perceive information by a “feeling” within the whole body without outer stimuli related to the feeling. It includes several other clair senses within its scope. Sometimes called clairempathy, or clear emotion, an empath can feel the emotional experience of a being. It is a type of telepathy where we feel or sense within ourselves the attitude, emotion or ailment of another being. Empaths are very sensitive to each being’s personal vibration. Clairsentients get guidance through bodily sensations, such as pain in a certain joint, or stomach pain that can be as specific as before or after a meal. It can be a tightening of the jaw and spine that senses an awareness of danger. Because each of our five senses has a corresponding spiritual sense, clairsentients receive information through a sense of smell (clairscent), taste (clairgustance) and touch (clairtangency). They receive many gut feelings and hunches. Much of our intuition comes from the stomach region, and the stomach clenches, relaxes or flutters according to the information we receive.

Claircognizance, or clear knowing, is the fourth means of telepathic communication. As Doreen Virtue defines it, “Claircognizants know without knowing how they know. As a result you may question the validity of your knowing. This is a mistake.” Information enters the mind in a big block of knowing. Our job is to then sort through the block and put it into human language. It is frequently detailed and accurate information. And often in the process of sorting it all out, we miss bits and pieces. Ask for the information again. As we sort, put into language and review, we take the whole block and make sense and meaning of it. This is not uncommon in animal communication; since animals perceive things differently than we do, we often get blocks of information.

Just as with the physical senses, each of us has access to these clair senses. With practice and a willingness to learn, we can become adept at receiving information with our clair senses and deepen our connection and understanding of the beings around us.

Gwen Gangi, an animal communicator all her life, began studying animal communication in 1993. Living in Monroe, Gangi also owns a local pet sitting business. Connect at FurToFeathers.com, [email protected] or 203-610-2444. See ad, page 47.

Gangi is offering two animal communication classes this fall through Trumbull Continuing Education, including Introduction to Animal Communication on September 28 (7-9pm). The Animal Communication Intensive Workshop on November 7-9 (7-9:30pm) is limited to 16 participants. For more information, contact Gangi or visit TrumbullContEd.org.