God Whisperer ... Not!

I watched an episode of Cesar Milan's "The Dog Whisperer" a few weeks ago and was fascinated by the dynamic between man and dog. It looked like Milan had taken on "Mission Impossible" with this particular mutt -- a wild, willful bundle of energy. The dog was acting out as his emotions ran amok: anxiety, fear, self-protection, frustration, anger, desire to dominate, urge to flee and more. He was a real handful, even for the masterful dog whisperer.

The dog lunged and snarled; the man stood his ground, asserting who was in charge. The dog menaced; the man didn't flinch, instead putting his hand on the canine. The dog went ballistic, trying to break free from the man's grasp, despite that fact that the man was superior in size, power and intelligence. The dog resisted; the man persisted. The more the dog rebelled, the more the man effectively reinforced who was calling the shots.

The tension was riveting. My stomach knotted as I watched the struggle between man and beast. Who would prevail? Had the dog whisperer finally met his match? Would this crazy canine get the best of the famous dog tamer? Or would Milan, the savior of incorrigibles, be able to work his magic on this hopeless case?

The suspense was palpable; my body tensed as I watched the drama unfold. Then, out of nowhere, as if the network had broken into the program for a special announcement, I had an epiphany. As I watched the struggle onscreen, it dawned on me: I am that dog! The struggle between the dog and his whisperer mirrored the struggle between me and my God.

As the show concluded, Milan explained how the dog will be less anxious, happier and more secure when he submits to the powerful, protective energy of the pack leader. And I realized how much happier I am when I feel the strength and security of God's power and grace. Just as dogs thrive when they know their place in the pack, I thrive when I know my place in the universe. Dogs are happiest when they experience positive discipline, structure and love; I am happiest when I experience the same.

The TV show drew to an end with the dog whisperer victorious and his former canine combatant, falling into line behind him. I chuckled -- not at the dog, but at myself.

Like many dogs, I am a slow learner, as well as a fast forgetter. On those occasions when I forget who is the alpha God in my life and become disconnected from the holy, I suffer separation anxiety. When that happens, I get caught up in anxiety, fear, self-will and defiance. Lapsing into bad behavior, I flail around, howl at the moon and make a mess of myself and my surroundings -- out of control and out of harmony with everyone and everything.

I need to be reminded frequently that I am not "The God Whisperer." I do not bend God to my will. I am not the alpha. I do not train God to follow my lead. And if I ever think I'm the alpha, I've got it backward.

Instead, I am the one in need of leadership and it is God who is "The Soul Whisperer," working with my willful, unruly and undisciplined soul, patiently, lovingly taming my restless, rebellious spirit. The moment I finally surrender to my Higher Power, the instant I quit trying to call the shots, everything falls into place. It is only then, when my will is aligned with His will, that the soul whisperer is able to work His magic with me ... and I am transformed.

BJ Gallagher's new YouTube movie is "If God is your co-pilot, switch seats."

 

Follow BJ Gallagher on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BJ_Gallagher

Comments

[Jeanne Ball]

02:58 PM on 07/15/2011

These are nice thoughts. One could also find divine support and security from connecting to the innermost Self. I find that when I meditate, I fathom the silent, eternal and divine level of my own Being which is one with God. With a regular meditation practice that connection becomes so lively, I don't have to even think about it. It is just an underlying wholeness and oneness with the universe.

[StephenJK]

07:34 AM on 07/17/2011

THIS is an awesome thought. Thanks!

[BJ Gallagher]

02:53 AM on 07/27/2011

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing that.

[Hlynn]

05:59 PM on 07/12/2011

It's interesting the many ways and methods God reminds us that He is the One we need to bend our will to, and not the other way around. He is all-knowing and all-loving, the perfect Parent none of us ever had and none of us ever will be. This article is one to keep and share with others. Thank you for writing it!

[BJ Gallagher]

02:50 AM on 07/27/2011

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[GoogleAlphaPublishing]

05:33 PM on 07/11/2011

My micro bio would state I'm not a representative.

Are you entirely certain God would never whisper the word alpha to anyone? How then was the word derived?

Determining what others can and can't do can be one of the quickest ways to limit oneself. It's the very act of attempting to whisper to God you describe.

[GoogleAlphaPublishing]

02:26 PM on 07/12/2011

B J. I don't like the way I responded to this. I want to try again.I'm assuming you don't like the fact that Alpha Publishing has the name Alpha Publishing. If I were saner maybe I would just let that be your problem.

I was fortunate to once be invited to spend a year studying with this research group. I found them to be light years ahead of me and everyone I've known in terms of all thoughts and actions. I would suggest anyone would be doing a disservice to himself or herself by not making a serious study of the information before assuming understanding.

[Yvonne Serocki]

02:40 PM on 07/11/2011

Now I know why dog is God spelled backwards!

[arkymorgan]

01:25 AM on 07/11/2011

It's one thing to be captured and sold, or to be born into slavery, but to voluntarily beg to be enslaved by superstition controlled by snake oil salesmen is mindboggling.

[french queen13]

12:10 AM on 07/11/2011

Hmm ... the thought of a deity who has to be boss - be pack leader - isn't one that appeals to me. Too much of a patriarchal construct. That's not an interpretation of the Creator I'd ever want to live with.

[Bobinrkfd]

01:34 PM on 07/14/2011

In submitting I find freedom, not restriction. How can the construct be patriarchal when he does not refer to God as being of any gender?

[french queen13]

07:09 PM on 07/14/2011

The Abrahamic God is persistently referred to as the Father, He, Him, and that concept has been used to reinforce patriarchy for millennia. It's far more pervasive than the idea of a non-human, non-male deity; language itself does that when there's no neuter personal form; in English it's "he" or "she" and how often does one see God referred to as She? "It" would be more appropriate, but I don't think any religion is likely to go that way. (Ironic that "it" is commonly used of animals, even when the individual's sex is known; nothing like a bit of extra disrespect, eh?)

I want no part of an anthropomorphic god of either sex, but particularly not the Abrahamic version.

BTW who is the "he" you refer to? The writer of this article is a woman.

[Bellanova]

10:49 PM on 07/14/2011

Amen (pun intended... I think).

[BJ Gallagher]

02:52 AM on 07/27/2011

Good pun!

[thebigbike]

02:01 PM on 07/10/2011

that's nice, dear.

[booshh]

06:26 AM on 07/10/2011

There's no real "whispering" on that show.

[Hiddenfangs]

08:51 AM on 07/10/2011

Agreed. I wish people would realize the damage that man does and that no animal's problems, including humans, are fixed in a half hour.

[booshh]

10:01 AM on 07/10/2011

I don't know about "damage." But it's certainly nothing supernatural or that which defies explanation.