The Eagle represents vision, clarity, and foresight, helping us rise above everyday struggles to see the bigger picture. Most of all, it’s a perception we can adopt in life to marry the big picture with the minute details. Use her to help with mindset shifts, grow, transform, and bring in new energy.

Introduction to Laika Shamanic Perceptual Levels

In the rich spiritual traditions of the Laika shamans – the energy medicine I’ve been trained in – humans are engaged with the world through four distinct perceptual levels or states. Each is linked to an archetype animal, a chakra, a compass point, and one of the four energetic bodies that make up the human energy field: the physical world (the body), the realm of thoughts and ideas (mind), the realm of myth (our soul – In my work I include emotions here as well), and the world of spirit (energy). These levels form a structure like nesting dolls, starting from the physical body and expanding outward to encompass the spiritual body. By shifting our perception to higher levels, we transform challenges into opportunities and gain insights and wisdom that can profoundly impact our lives. Each of the animal archetypes represent consciousness-expanding techniques and mindfulness practices you can use every day.

South – Serpent: Physical Healing Journey

The physical world, associated with the South direction, is represented by Serpent. She is the life-force of Mother Earth and our own bodies. The particles of dirt on the ground and the working cells in all living beings. She is our senses, and Kundalini energy. You can find her on the medical Caduceus symbol, and of course she is the great one in the Garden of Eden, seducing us to the Tree of Knowledge and offering fruit that will ignite our passions and creativity. She asks us to gently and instinctively shed our skin, all of our old baggage, the way she does – in one piece. This exposes your vulnerable new skin and will bring invaluable experiences, even though they’re scary in this state. Serpent is sensual in all ways. Let her uncoil so you can experience her full and powerful energy.

West – Jaguar: Mental Healing Journey

The West direction is symbolized by Jaguar, the topmost rung of the food chain and the ultimate protector of life. She brings courage and certainty with every footstep in the darkness of jungle night because she is never prey. She is only seen or heard when she wants to be, and is graceful, easeful, and the ultimate master of shadows. She dances with and blends into both light and dark, using both to her advantage. Jaguar represents the realm of thoughts and ideas. She calls you to explore what confines you, then jump fearlessly where you haven’t been before, riling up your daily routine, pushing through your current limits, and expanding your boundaries. She wants you to look into your shadows and investigate your darkness with courage and curiosity. Call to her when you need protections.

North – Hummingbird: Emotional Healing Journey

Hummingbird, linked to the North, connects us to the divine within and our eternal essence. She is fierce and extremely territorial, yet such a tender little thing. She reminds us to hold ourselves with gentleness, yet protect our boundaries, personal needs, and space. Hummingbirds can migrate up to 3,000 miles between their breeding and wintering grounds, so she reminds us we can accomplish impossible, epic quests with a simple yearning to do so. She points you in the right direction and will appear when you’re taking the first steps. Trust your inner knowing and begin your epic journey.

Today, we will explore the fourth and highest level of perception, that of the Eagle.

East – Eagle: Spiritual Journey

Eagle is associated with the East, where the sun rises and births a new day and all new beginnings. She represents the world of Spirit, where we transcend the physical, mental, and emotional realms to connect with the divine. It is here that we experience vision, clarity, and foresight.

The Eagle allows us to rise above the mundane, to see the big picture, and to understand the interconnectedness of all things. There are no obstacles, only opportunities when Eagle takes to flight.

Vision and Clarity from Above

Imagine, if you would, being an Eagle. You are soaring high above the valleys, seeing a panoramic view of the world below. You can see the vast curvature of the Earth right on down to dinner – the smallest mouse on the ground. The ability to see minute details without losing track of the entire landscape symbolizes the spiritual perception that allows us to transcend the mundane, seeing it through a divine set of eyes.

The Gift of Eagle: Spiritual Visualization

The Eagle’s gift is the ability to see the entire landscape from above, understanding the interconnectedness of all things. This vision allows us to address problems at their source or even beforehand, seeing the root causes rather than just the symptoms. In this state, we can envision and manifest a harmonious, abundant, and sustainable reality.

The Eagle teaches us to look beyond our immediate challenges and irritants to the opportunities available to us for growth and transformation. She encourages us to rise above the chaos and confusion of everyday life and to connect with the higher wisdom and guidance of Spirit. By doing so, we can gain a deeper understanding of our purpose and mission in life and can align our actions and decisions with our highest potential.

Courage and Originality

Operating from Eagle consciousness requires immense courage and originality. It involves trusting in the unknown and being open to possibilities beyond our current understanding. This level of creativity is what some call “being in the zone,” or being “in flow,” where we co-create with the divine, allowing effortless inspiration.

Eagle invites us to embrace our uniqueness and to express our authentic selves without fear or hesitation. It encourages us to break free from the limitations and constraints of societal expectations and to follow our own path. In this state, we can tap into a wellspring of creativity and innovation, bringing forth new ideas, solutions, and possibilities, transforming our lives and the world around us.

Manifestation from the Eagle’s Perspective

By living from the Eagle’s perspective, we can navigate life with greater ease and grace, and we can manifest our highest potential. We can see beyond the immediate challenges and recognize the opportunities for growth and transformation that lie within them. We can connect with the higher wisdom and guidance of Spirit, allowing us to make decisions from a place of clarity and insight. Plus, we can create a more harmonious and fulfilling existence for ourselves and the world around us.

Eagle’s perception offers us a profound way to navigate life, seeing beyond the immediate challenges to the underlying opportunities and connections. By incorporating the Eagle’s vision into our modern lives through mindfulness, nature, creativity, higher learning, compassion, and intention-setting, we can transform our reality and co-create a harmonious and fulfilling existence.

Embrace the Eagle’s gift, rise above the mundane, and soar into the high peaks of spiritual perception. In this elevated state, you will find clarity, vision, and the courage to manifest your highest potential, contributing to a world where we live in harmony with ourselves, each other, and the Earth.

Incorporating Eagle Perception into Modern Life

1. Practicing Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness and meditation help us quiet the mind and connect with our higher self. By regularly setting aside time to meditate your way, you can elevate your perception, gaining clarity and insight. Focus on visualizing the Eagle, soaring above, and imagine viewing your life and current obstacles from this higher perspective.

Once you are in the air and you see your challenges, notice what else is going on around them. Notice what’s “upstream,” creating your problem. What opportunities lie there? What obstacles can you remove, or what can you construct to help you downstream? What do you need to put eyes on, think through, or physically change around you so the flow changes and allows positive opportunity rather than obstacles and frustrations?

2. Engaging in Creative Practices

Creative activities or work we enjoy can help us tap into Eagle consciousness (or rather, help us “tap out” of our consciousness.) When we lose ourselves in a creative process, we enter a state of flow, where inspiration and originality flourish. Allow yourself to experiment and explore without judgment. Notice when you’re in flow you’re not considering flow, and when you’re considering flow, you’re not in flow. When you are out of flow, just relax and sink back into your activity with ease and love for yourself and your creation.

Creativity is a powerful tool for accessing the higher levels of perception and for expressing our unique gifts and talents. By engaging in creative practices, we become fully immersed in the present moment, allowing inspiration and intuition to guide us.

3. Seek Higher Learning

Engage in practices and studies that expand your understanding of the world and the universe. This could involve studying quantum physics, spiritual or ancient wisdom teachings, cultural anthropology, or philosophy. Higher learning within these realms opens our minds to new possibilities and enhances our perceptual abilities. Learning helps us to see beyond the limitations of our current beliefs and perceptions, opening us up to new possibilities and insights. By expanding our knowledge and understanding, we can align our perception with the level of Eagle, gaining a broader perspective on life and the universe, and seeing ourselves as an important, yet tiny, piece of the landscape. We can also begin seeing the multitudes of opportunities available to us at any given second.

4. Practicing Compassion and Empathy

Compassion and empathy dissolve boundaries and foster a sense of oneness with others and everything around us. By practicing these qualities in our daily interactions, we align with the Eagle’s perception, recognizing our interconnectedness and nurturing a more harmonious world.

5. Setting Intentions and Visualizing

Regularly set intentions for what you want to manifest in your life and visualize these intentions from the Eagle’s perspective. Imagine soaring above your life and seeing your dreams already realized. This practice aligns your energy with your goals, helping to bring them into reality.

6. Seeing Each Day as a New Beginning

Eagle represents the rising sun. So many times we wake and attempt to control our day. Of course, we let our calendars dictate what we will attempt, however we can’t actually control what happens. We may get a flat tire going to work. We may have an uncomfortable conversation. We may forget it’s our turn to pick the kids up from practice. Eagle offers us mindset shifts in reminding us that in all situations we’re finding ourselves in, there is bright new light and opportunity for new decisions – how we react, our expectations from dire to excited, and the opportunities that spring forth from each minute we spend on earth. Invite Eagle to bring light to your experience, and have the faith and courage to open your wings to the impossible and all new beginnings.

Conclusion

The Eagle offers us perceptual shifts and a profound way to navigate life, leaving behind the rational mind and irrational emotions to see beyond life’s immediate challenges to the underlying root causes, multitudes of opportunities, and connections of everything on earth. By incorporating the Eagle’s vision into our modern lives, we can transform our reality and co-create a harmonious and fulfilling existence with Great Spirit and our Guides.