May 2004

Question: Non-attachment and surrender seem to be what are on my mind and heart at the moment...along with the nature of creation and walking the rainbow path of the jaguar. I would appreciate any words of wisdom that you may have to offer. Thank you! Munay, Stevi

Inka: Thank you for contacting me, Stevi. It is interesting how many people have surrender on their minds. And surrender is a funny thing: You can't think about surrender and make it happen. You can't do surrender. You can't cause a state of surrender. When you are thinking about surrender you are not surrendered. Do you understand that? Surrender is a state of being, not a state of thinking or doing. Very often when one quits thinking about surrender, one just falls right into it.

It is the same with non-attachment. You are either attached to something or you are not, but you can't actually think yourself into either state. The human mind is a true miracle. It can work out all sorts of logical things and it also tries to make logic of things that are not at all logical and states of being that cannot be explained. Let nature and the jaguar take you into a state of being that I would call presence. That is where you can fall into surrender with all of your heart.

Question: I have been feeding a young Chow dog that is living in the woods near my house. She is very afraid of people but after months will now get arms length from me but I have not been able to rescue her. She is in terrible shape and has lost 95% of her hair with sores all over her body from scratching. I am distressed because I don't know if I will be able to ever rescue her and rehabilitate her. I can't stand the thought of her getting pregnant and having wild puppies in the woods who will surely starve to death or get hit by cars. Am I really doing her a favor by feeding her or am I interfering with her karma? Do animals create karma and if they are neglected and suffering, are they just reaping what they have sown? Should I keep trying with her? I am not able to leave her to starve without feeling terrible. Rosemary

Inka: You have a very tender heart, Rosemary. I do not think that the human view of karma is a correct one. This dog is not suffering because she did something awful in a former life and it is her karma. So, first of all, get that notion out of your mind. The first thing to do is to ask this dog if she actually wants help. Humans often project their own feelings onto others, especially children and animals, and assume they are suffering. Perhaps she is not suffering at all. Perhaps this dog wishes to be wild and free and has no desire to be rescued and rehabilitated. The very word "rehabilitated" suggests that you know best how she should live her life and that the life she now has is not worth as much as your idea of what she should be. How do you know she is suffering? Many wild animals have wounds on their bodies or problems with their skin. Wild animals break legs, lose fur, get ill, get pregnant or hit by cars. It is part of the life of an animal that wishes to be free. We do not all come into a body to live a life of being clean and fed and loved by humans. See if you can connect with the spirit of this dog and ask her what she wants. Be open to receiving her true wishes, not what you want to hear. Then respect what she says. This is the greatest gift you could give to any animal.

Question: Lovely Inka, I have thought a great deal about your suggestion that if we speak directly from the heart there is no need to rehash the conversation in the mind. You are right, there is no need to. However, no need isn't quite the same thing as no urge. And it is the urge that is so exasperating! Even when I speak simply from my heart, many, many times I find my mind immediately searching for faults with my conversation. I learned as a child, (and perhaps it was this way in past lives too--I don't know) that in order to feel safe I had to please my parents and siblings, or there would be severe emotional consequences. It is a very deeply ingrained habit, and sometimes gets in the way of deep peace and centeredness. So right now I state my intent to be free of this habit, and hope you will send a prayer my way for this. Any further thoughts on the topic? Love, Sylvia

Inka: My dear Sylvia, it is quite true that need is not the same as urge, but you are a soul with choice. You have free will, so it is up to you whether you indulge an urge or you don't indulge it. And if you do indulge your urge, so be it. Don't chase it with feelings of doubt. Don't kick yourself for choosing one thing over another. It is all okay. We live on a planet of choices and we are asked to make them in each moment. If you make a choice that is not pleasing to you, make a different choice the next time. Please do not waste your time beating yourself up for what you feel you should do.

I do not care much for habits or breaking habits. If you want to change something in your life, go for it. Be committed to your choice to change and willing to let go of something that has served you in some way or it would not have become a habit. Don't hate the habit. Thank it for being your teacher. Let it go with love and then move on. I will not pray for you to break a habit; that is up to you to do. But I will pray that you find peace and a deep well of love for your own special self.

November 30, 2003

Syl writes: Sweet Inka, Thank you for your recent responses to my questions. It was especially helpful when you explained that judgment or non-acceptance of one's own species is self-judgment. It made me reexamine myself more deeply and I discovered that I rehashed conversations in my mind because I needed to feel safe, and I could only feel safe if the conversation showed me to be acceptable. Whew! Now whenever I catch myself measuring myself, I stop and say, "I release all self-judgment, and embrace every aspect of myself." It has been a tremendous help to me.

Inka: What an interesting thing the human mind is. Can you imagine any of your animal friends rehashing anything they do to see if it is acceptable or not? It is a funny picture, isn't it? You are wise to pay attention to what you are saying to yourself and it is wonderful to use your mind in a positive way to help you stop your judgment. Let's also look at another approach. If all of your interactions come through your heart instead of your mind, there will be no need for catching yourself and redirecting yourself. Your heart is in the moment, interacting in an open and true way. There is no judgment in the heart. Your mind is great blessing. Look at all the wonderful things the human mind has dreamed up-computers, for one thing. So, I do not mean to suggest that you disrespect your mind at all, just to use it when it is appropriate and to let your heart take the lead at other times.

D writes: Dear Inka, Will justice ever be done IN FULL, and by that I mean soon in my lifetime? So far it has been denied me. I prayed and asked for justice and claimed my right to have it immediately. After all, no one told the criminals that they had to "wait" for some mystical, far off time before they could do what they wanted. They did their heinous acts at will and smashed and destroyed everything including my property, my job, my possessions, etc.

Inka: It is very difficult and painful to witness personal destruction in your life and I can feel your anger around this. Anger is an important emotion and you certainly have every right to yours. I am going to give you a very unpopular answer, but I am not here to win any popularity contests, I am here to give you the truth from my perspective. The only true justice is forgiveness. Your concern in your life should always be your own heart and what will give it ease. Visiting on another the pain you feel in your own life will not relieve your suffering. It may seem to you that the "criminals" as you called them, have not paid. But you can't know the toll that has been exacted in them. Remember that this physical world is a small portion of all that exists for each soul, so the way it appears "here" is not the whole truth. You are giving your precious energy to the ones you are angry with. Why not focus your attention on your own healing and use that powerful energy to create a beautiful life for yourself. Have you heard the story of the phoenix? Great things have risen from what is seemingly completely destroyed. You deserve to have the life you desire, I encourage you to go for it.

Fuzzymoon writes: Hello Inka, I found your page by accident and something you wrote struck me. You said you did not know why humans cannot love themselves. Well, I wish I did not know the answer either, but it is simply that some have not had love themselves as children and so it is impossible not only to love oneself, but to receive or give love and that is unwavering.

Inka: You have a very funny name; I like it. Yes, I said that I find it difficult to understand why humans have such a difficult time loving themselves. It is very sad when children do not receive the love and nurturing they need and I would never want to minimize how painful that is. But, you are assuming that love comes only from an outside source and I would have to disagree with that. Love is a primary force in this universe and is freely available to all who live on this planet. Love is everywhere when you have the eyes to see it, the heart to embrace it. There are examples in every species of individuals who had very difficult beginnings, who were seemingly alone in this world, but who opened themselves to the love and support of the universe and transformed their lives and the lives of all they touched. Perhaps you are one of these very special beings and the love you have desired is knocking at the doors of your heart this very minute. But, you must open those doors in order to let that love in. Don't leave love waiting outside you, reach out and bring it to yourself and let it fill you with all you ever desired.

Syl writes: I have had some very powerful and helpful communications from plants, and I was wondering if you often speak with plants, too. I am just curious, because I don't know too many people who talk about communicating with plants. Perhaps it is just that, being human animals, we tend to relate more to animals than plants. What do you think?

Inka: Yes, Syl, I talk to plants all the time. They are wonderful friends and guardians of this earth. The plants are very spiritual in nature. It may be that humans feel that since they are more like animals they can better communicate with them. In reality, communication with the plant world is continually occurring. When you eat a plant, it is giving its life force to you-that is deep communication. When you walk on the grass, or sit by a tree, or smell a flower, it is giving itself to you. Plants are selfless beings that give fully and completely to all species. What a great gift. You (and all humans) can consciously communicate with plants just as easily as you do with any other being. Begin by increasing your awareness of how much the plants give to you and make a conscious effort to let them know how grateful you are. A simple thank you can go far to opening a line of communication between you and any species on this planet. Try it.

September 7, 2002

Fran asks: I would like to know why you chose Rainbow to go with you to Tera's farm and are your other siblings okay? Why is there such horrible animal abuse in this world and how can a compassionate human face this horror every day of their lives?

Inka: Your first question is very simple to answer--Rainbow was very timid when he was young and he depended on me so there was no question that he would be the one to come with me. Yes, all the other llamas at the farm where I was born are fine. They have a very good life too, though it is quite different from my life.

Your second question is much more complicated and I am glad that you asked it. There is horrible abuse of humans in this world, too. Let's not forget all our relations. In my opinion, the humans on this planet need much more compassion and guidance than any species of animal. Abuse always comes from ignorance and an inability to feel connected to others. Animals rarely feel this disconnection--though it is true that some domestic animals learn it from humans. Treating others of any species unkindly is really the problem we must address.

So, how to remedy this problem? With your own compassion. Instead of hating an "abuser" and sending them your anger, try to see the wounded part of this person's heart and send it love and healing. There are many humans who have turned their lives around in an instant because of the compassion and unconditional love they have been given by animals. Why not be more like an animal and send your love instead of your judgment. I do not in any way mean to minimize your horror of the situation, and I am speaking to all humans. You must remember that we are all one, ALL. That does not mean that we are one only with those we approve of, we are one with ALL. Embrace all the parts, no matter how good or how evil they may appear. Embrace the horror and watch it transform. This does not mean that you must inundate yourself with photos of cruelty or violence or pain. But you must accept that it is part of the whole and that the darkness needs to have the light too. All of us must embrace the whole and shine our light and offer our love to everyone.

Yes, speak out against cruelty and injustice. Do it with love and compassion. If you are forgetting the love, you are adding your hatred, your anger, and your judgment to the situation you want to transform, then you are contributing fuel to continue the circle of abuse. Love is the answer to every question. Let love embrace you when you are feeling despair about the state of the world, let love heal your own wounds, and let love spill out of you to heal others. Let your own life be an example, a role model, for a compassionate way to live. All the animals will support you in this and assist you when you need guidance or an extra dose of love.

October 1, 2002

Fran asks: Thank you for your answer to my previous question. I agree and understand a lot of what you said, but when you say to send love not judgment, are you saying that when a stray cat is tortured it is "the way it must be" because like humans, the animals are also working on karmic debt?

Inka: No, Fran, I am not saying that when an animal is abused it is because of bad karma. I do not feel that an animal or human in a situation of abuse is paying a debt for being "bad" in a previous lifetime. That is a very simplistic view of karma and a misconception of karma that many humans believe to be true.

Also, it would be incorrect to assume that any being consciously wants to, or agrees to be abused. I will say that animals, like humans, have their own soul path of learning and always one must accept the path that was chosen at a soul level. But, to stand back and watch horrible abuse and say, "It is just the soul's path and I will let it go," is missing the point. You must feel the pain of abuse when you see it. Allow it to rip your heart open, as it will if you truly feel it. Then you must do what you can to raise the consciousness of those involved and to bring them into a vibration of love and harmony. And then, having shared your love and your light on the situation, you let it go.

Always the first order of business is your own house. Are you living your life in a vibration of love and harmony? If you are allowing fear, hatred, anger, or mistrust to rule your life and you lash out at others through these vibrations, then you are contributing to the very problems that you are wanting to heal. You must first bring your own vibration into balance and then you can act with conscious intent and truly be a force for change. Never doubt the power of love. It is a force far stronger than you can currently imagine and there is far too little of it on this planet. So, step up and be among those to bring this force back into the conscious awareness of the human population and watch your world change.

Christine asks: I am of Peruvian descent and have a special place in my heart for llamas. You mentioned that llamas bring the wisdom from the stars and I was wondering about the special areas of wisdom of other species, such as elephants, cats, dogs, giraffes, zebras, etc. Also I would like to ask about reincarnation. Do species always or usually come back as the same species? If not, why do they change?

Inka: Hello, Christine. You have a special place in your heart for llamas and I have a special place in my heart for those of Peruvian descent. So we are brother and sister of the Andes.

All species have their own special task, their unique vibrational ray that they bring to the earth. I could comment on these and give you my perspective, but I feel you would be better served to ask each individual species and let them tell you about themselves.

In my experience, there is no hierarchy in reincarnation and a soul may chose any species they feel would serve their purpose. In other words, you do not come back as a dog if you were a "bad" human in a previous life. That would imply that the dog is of less value, of lower vibration, than the human species. It is true that each species vibrates differently, but none are of more or less value than another. All species are valuable and wonderful and each has its own unique experience to offer.

Adventurous souls often go from species to species. This gives one a vast amount of experience, and that is the point of incarnation--

experience. Other souls find that one particular species suits them and feels comfortable and they will incarnate again and again as that species. It is really up to the individual. It is such a blessing to have a physical body, such an opportunity for growth and experience, and every physical incarnation into any species offers this.

Linda asks: I would like to know what you think is the reason so many beings are leaving earth this year. My brother and six of my animal companions have gone home this year. I am very happy for them and know they are well. I feel there is going to be a major event soon and this will be the beginning of the cosmic party. What are you thoughts on this subject?

Inka: I am glad to hear you say "gone home" rather than "died" as it is the truth of what happens when we leave our physical bodies. There is no death as most humans have conceived it and, from my point of view, leaving a physical body is not a negative occurrence. But that is not your question-your question is why now?

"Why" is a human question. Did you ever think of this? You will not see the other animals asking: Why did we have this terrible earthquake? Why is there famine and many of us are dying? Why did my mate have to get sick and die? Why am I not successful? It is quite funny to picture, is it not? So, I would say, let the "whys" go. The answer is because.

And, yes, we are having a cosmic party. It has already begun. Dress in your party clothes, bring your festive spirit, your joy, your love, your exuberance. Dance and make merry. Magic is afoot and miracles abound. So be open to the miraculous and welcome what you don't know into your life.

Peggy asks: Since humans have the ability to make changes in the physical world in ways that no other species can, could you talk about how balance in the world is maintained? It almost seems to me that part of the role of the animals is to be the caretaker and healer of the earth to attempt to mitigate the impact of this physical power.

Inka: What an interesting concept. Who says that humans have the ability to make changes in the world that no other species can? I must say that I disagree with that viewpoint. It may be true that in recent history (the last few thousand years) humans have made some very interesting choices that have affected the balance of the whole. But, any species is capable of making incorrect choices. We ask you to understand that we truly are all one. No species is grander, higher, lower, less than another. We are each valuable and important, and every species has the ability to impact the whole.

That said, let us address the maintaining balance part of your question. Keep the balance in your own life, in what appears to be your own small portion of the world. If you live your life consciously, focus on adding to the whole in a positive manner, and imbue all you do with love, you will change the world. Humans have a way of feeling that they need to do it all, change everything, right all the wrongs, heal the world. Often this is attempted at the expense of the balance in one's own life. But it is your own life and your own energy that is important. You are part of the whole, so every little thing you do affects the whole. Let your life add to the beauty and don't let what appears to be negative influence the love in your heart. It is really the same answer that I gave to Fran--love is the answer to all the questions.

And, yes, animals are the caretakers and healers of the earth. Remember that humans are animals too. We all share this responsibility.

October 6, 2002

Laurie asks: I agree with you that the only way to heal this [abuse] is love. But it can be difficult to put this into practice, especially to send love to those who hurt some wonderful beings.

Inka: When love is mentioned, most humans think that this means you have to like the person, approve of the person, or draw their name in a heart. Love is a tremendous force, not a valentine. Can you agree that all people at their core are spiritual beings? That every person on this planet is attempting to realize their connection to spirit, whether it is a conscious attempt or not? We are truly all connected and every person is an aspect of All That Is, meaning they are also an aspect of you. Also meaning that We Are One includes every one, not only the ones that you like. If you can simply honor the god within each person, regardless of their actions, you will be using the force of love. You do not have to approve of the actions of a person, or make friends with that person, but find your compassion for the pain or sorrow or feelings of disconnection within that person's heart. It is not wrong to feel anger, but it is important to remember that there are consequences for acting out of anger. So, allow any anger that you feel to move through your body without any action on your part. Put your focus on your heart, breathe through any blocks you may feel to find your compassion. Your own compassion will send love. Abuse is something that needs to be healed, not scorned. It takes a little conscious effort to do this, a reining in of any desire to strike out, but with practice it will become easy. You can do this.

Cindy asks: I've been drawn to llamas for some time, much more so after having been to Peru a few years ago. Your homeland is indeed beautiful and incredible and so filled with love. I've considered bringing a llama or two to my home in Wisconsin but get cold feet when I think of having any animal in captivity and not knowing what they really need or want in their living conditions. Everything you have said about yourself corresponds to things that I have felt about llamas, yet different from what many people say. So could you please tell me what to anticipate or how best to prepare or what to consider prior to adding a llama to the family so that I might make a more enlightened choice, not to mention a happier home.

Inka: Thank you for your question. It is very good for a person to really think about what an animal needs before bringing them into your home. First I would say llamas (plural) and not a single llama. A llama alone is a llama with a broken heart. We are very social and herd oriented and we do not do well by ourselves so you need to think about bringing in two llamas (or more). Our physical needs are simple--we are not complicated in that way. We are called browsers rather than grazers because we love to eat a wide variety of green stuff--leaves, small plants, acorns or apples that fall from the trees, grasses. We also eat hay, and grain is the best thing ever devised by humans that I can think of.

We require calm and patience from the people we live with. You can ask Tera about this. She thought she had learned patience until we came to live with her and we nearly drove her crazy before she learned that she could not control us. We do things in our own way and in our own time. Now, it is easy for Tera to put a halter on us and take us for a walk with her, we put our noses right in the halter for her. But she had to learn to ask us first and to allow us the time to feel comfortable and to figure things out for ourselves. We love humans and share with them in many ways--even when they do not understand us in a deep way. But, when a human takes the time to form a deep relationship with us, it is very full and rich for us and for the human who opened their heart to us. The majority of us do not mind being in captivity. Actually, that is a terrible way to put it, "being in captivity", as we live with humans by our own choice. It is our desire to be close to humans and to work with them, and living with humans is a way for us to accomplish this.

It is a bonus for us to live with a human that is interested in our spiritual life, and I think you will be one of those people. We have much to offer in the way of spiritual teachings. But, this is not a requirement. Many of us are with humans who think we are just nice animals to have around and this is not a bad thing. Our teachings get through to people in subtle ways, very often on a deep unconscious level, and it is our desire to work with every human that is open to having us in their life. We would be happy to send some llamas your way, Cindy. Just let the universe know when you are ready and we will come running.

Carol asks: As a human sometimes it seems like the days just melt away, particularly when my job is very busy or I'm working on an unpleasant task. I've had messages from friends lately telling me to be happy in the moment, and while I understand that concept, I still have problems remembering to follow through on it. Do you have any insight for me about how to be truly happy and how I can make a difference in this lifetime?

Inka: Many humans have the idea that they came into this lifetime to be "truly happy." I would say that this is an unreachable goal--that life on this planet is about many things, some blissful, some painful, and if your goal is happiness then you are missing a great percentage of your life. A more realistic goal would be to be present in your life, regardless of whether you are happy with what is occurring or not. Your presence is your gift to this planet, and it is also the greatest gift you can receive. Humans love to be in their heads, thinking all the time. And thinking usually requires you to be in the past or in the future. If you can simply bring your attention into the moment, without trying to make that moment anything other than it is, you will find that your life has more ease. Because you are most likely unused to being fully present, you will need to make some conscious effort to get there. When you find yourself feeling unhappy about what you are doing, take a moment to actually feel your body. Feel your feet on the ground, feel your heart pumping the blood through your veins, feel your lungs taking in oxygen and feeding your body, feel your fingers and toes move. Take a couple of deep breaths and become aware of the miracle of you, present in this body, and feel your connection to everything. This experience will take only a few moments, and it may last only a few moments at first. Do it often until it becomes natural for you to be truly present. If you never did another thing in your lifetime other than offering your full presence, you would make a huge contribution.

Linda asks: There is a web site www.wingmakers.com and they say they are from our future and are here to help us with the awakening which I believe is true. There is a painting on this site that has blue and white tiles. A friend gave me a short answer about the tiles and I was wondering if you could explain in more detail.

He said the tiles are in the form of 4--the "4" directions/cardinal points represent the manifestations of the highest order of primal energy. "4" is kan, the same word for "serpent" Twice "4" (blue & white together) is "8", the Mayan symbol of the "universal" "Blue" is the color of the higher vibrational dimensional worlds. Blue representing the Pleiadians and white the Solar Brotherhood. I know I am supposed to figure this out myself but could use a little help.

Inka: There are many beings here from the future to assist. There are aspects of your own self from the future that are assisting. These are things that must be felt rather than figured out, they can only be concepts to your mind as they are far bigger than the mind can make sense of. I have not seen the website you speak of nor seen the picture. I do not have a computer in my barn. (Just a little joke for you.) But, I will tell you that the explanation you give above is completely mental. I don't see how anyone could grasp meaning of any depth with a complicated mind interpretation such as this. If this painting draws you, get out of your head and let yourself feel what it imparts to you. Humans have taken the mind about as far as it should go. When you are in your head, you are disconnected from spirit. If we are going to move into another dimension it is time to get out of the mental arena. Your minds are truly wonderful tools, but they are not the only tools you have. It is like pulling out a hammer to do a job that requires a screwdriver. It is absurd.

So, I would say, Linda, to open your heart and allow yourself to feel these things that you question. When you are constantly in the figure-it-out mode, you lose the deepest meaning, and you keep yourself separate from All That Is. Feel your way through these questions and finally you will reach a place where they are no longer questions, where you can just accept that there are wondrous and miraculous things everywhere and that you are a part of it all.

January 27, 2003

Kris writes: You said you enjoy philosophy so here goes: are the Native Americans correct in the belief of spirit animals, totem animals. Are we connected to some animals, some species more than others? Or is it more along the lines that, if we are indeed all one, that we seek different animals to represent different traits and seek kinship for those reasons?

Inka: Indeed I do like philosophy, Kris. I would say that all of your speculations are correct. The Native Americans have been animal communicators for eons and working with totem animals is one of the ways that nature speaks to humans. And, yes, at some points in your life you may be more connected to a particular species than another. It may be that you have one powerful totem animal for your whole life, or you may have an animal guide during a particular period of your life and another guide will take over when your circumstances change. It is also possible to have more than one totem animal or guide at a time. Some people have many totem animals. It is equally true that different animals represent different traits and humans seek kinship for those reasons. This is no different from what I mentioned above. If you are drawn to a particular animal, explore the energy of that animal and see how it can work with you.

Jill writes: First I would like to tell you what a beautiful animal you are! I would like to know if all animals know God, The Creator and if so in what way is it similar to the way some humans know him. Or any other input you could give me from your prospective.

Inka: Yes, all animals know of a higher power or Creator. I will speak for llamas as that is my species and say that I feel my experience is very similar to most other animals with the exception of human animals. We do not view the Creator as a human of specific gender. Nor do we see the Creator as the Great Llama in the sky. To us, the Creator is in everything and everything is in the Creator all at the same time. Everything on this Earth is holy and a part of God. We do not judge some things as holy (or good) and others as unholy (or bad). All is God to us. Because we know everything as God we have never lost our spiritual connection and our lives are much less complicated than human lives. There is nothing to struggle with.

June 8, 2003

Gina: Can you please tell us if you see a better world in our near future? Are we getting better at treating animals and people better than we have in the recent past? Can you see better hearts out there?

Inka: I definitely can see a better world but it is not in the future, it is now. You must trust in your own heart and bring into the world the love that you see for the earth and the animals and your fellow humans. That is how the "better world" lives right here and now. This is not some new age mumbo jumbo or hocus-pocus or whatever those words are you say. It is the truth of reality. You are creating the world in every moment so create the world you want to live in. Then believe in that world. I can feel how deeply you care about this, know that there is power in your caring and your love. Trust your own heart, Gina, and let it be your guide.

Peggy and Beverly: Is it possible to learn a different way of resolving differences besides war or are humans violent by nature?

Inka: I do not believe that humans are violent by nature, but societies can be violent. And, yes, I do believe it is possible to learn a different way of resolving differences. This is a part of the process of evolution that many humans are currently undergoing and there are high hopes for the success of this new way. Stay focused on peace and you will have it.

Syl: Thank you for the wonderful gift of this sharing-space. I am becoming more and more enamored of my connection with All-That-Is, and have begun to feel deeply loved and supported. My difficulty is in deepening my connection with people. I still hide quite a bit emotionally, and often feel like I don't "fit in". I am trying to learn that I simply have my own place, and I don't have to be like everybody else (which seems impossible, anyway. Do you have any words of wisdom on this? Sometimes I am in a lonely place, and being "different" I sometimes feel "less than" or not good enough.

Inka: You bring up one of the greatest dilemmas for humans. It is very hard for me to understand how humans can compare themselves all the time or why they don't love themselves. I think all (or at least most) animals love themselves. It is such a great gift to have a physical incarnation, how can one not embrace their own physical being? When you are not accepting your own species, you are in self-judgment. It is funny to me that humans think loving themselves is egotistical. It is egotistical to not love yourself or your species. Why? Because comparing yourself and finding yourself lacking means that you are constantly self-focused. See if you can embrace your uniqueness and allow yourself to just be. Focus on the "godself" of each individual you meet and of yourself. Do you know the saying Namaste? It means that you are honoring the spiritual being that lives within the physical being. If you are focused on this you cannot help but connect with others. We are all connected in this way-it is how we are one. So, everyone you meet, whether you like them or not, is a part of you, or an aspect of you. Embrace it all and be prepared for a great deal more love in your life. You will never feel lonely or less than if you do this. Namaste to you.

Syl: I have come to understand that both dark and light are good and have their value. I have begun to embrace and love whatever fear or shadow side I see in myself, and this seems to integrate and dissipate it. So it seems to me that then I have that little bit less of shadow side, and a bit more integrated energy. I know that this is probably mental, linear thinking, and perhaps this can't be explained in that way. My question is, it seems that integrating shadow side is a part of growing, yet shadow and light have equal value. It seems a paradox to me, but perhaps I don't understand it well, or perhaps it simply is a paradox. What are your thoughts on this?

Inka: You are a thinker, Syl. It does appear that when you embrace the darkness it becomes light. Of course this is true, when you shine light into a dark place it is no longer dark. But remember, you cannot have shadows without light. Do not worry that the shadows disappear, there will be more shadows. The goal is not to have equal parts of light and dark, it is to embrace the dance between them. It is a constant, moving thing.

Syl: Hello, beautiful Inka! I have had some difficulty in the past because I have two little dwarf hamsters. I have always tried to love them equally, yet have felt closer to one than to the other. They are mirrors for me--Missy of my light and sunny side, Sparkle of my dark side. Today I had an insight and I would like your opinion on it. It is this: love is an energy and thus is unlimited.

Inka: I like your "hello, beautiful Inka". I will say hello back to beautiful you. We are all beautiful. And, yes, you have got it. Love is an energy, or as I like to say, love is a force. It is the most potent force in the universe. When humans realize this perhaps they will no longer hoard their love or feel that there is a limited supply of it. Call on this force, use it in every part of your life. Make a goal to try to use up all the love available on this planet. You will, of course, never reach this goal but you will have a very full life.