Practical Wisdom: Anima Mundi and the Green Dragon

I was sitting in meditation today when I saw a dragon. Not a small, fleeting image in my mind’s eye, but a full-sized, living presence, bigger than me, majestic and powerful. It shimmered green in the leaves, an embodiment of something ancient and wise. A slight shift of my eyes and it was gone. Another shift and it was back again.

Was it real? Well, it spoke to me, and its message answered a question I’ve been holding close to my heart. So yes, for me, it was real.

I’ve been asking: What is the most important awareness for me to keep in mind when I arrive back in the U.S. in a couple of weeks? The dragon’s presence, its energy, and its words were the response. It reminded me that perception is everything, that what I see, how I interpret, and where I focus my attention will shape my experience. 

It told me to stay present, to trust the flow, and to remember that wisdom isn’t just something we seek, it’s something that seeks us.

I’ve seen beings like this my whole life. They come in moments of stillness, appearing at the edge of perception, just beyond the veil of ordinary reality. I understand them to be archetypes, expressions of Universal Consciousness made visible to me. These guides don’t simply offer vague inspiration; their wisdom is practical, precise, and deeply aligned with my life’s journey. I listen because their messages arrive exactly when I need them most.

This is the essence of Anima Mundi, the World Soul. 

I’ve worked with this understanding for more than 35 years, experiencing again and again how deeply everything is interconnected. The ancient mystics knew this truth: the universe is alive, breathing, conscious, and engaged. Every tree, every river, every living thing is part of this great, intelligent web. It speaks through symbols, elements, and energies. It moves in the rhythm of the ocean, the flicker of candlelight, the whisper of the wind.

Anima Mundi isn’t separate from us, we are it. We’re woven into the same breath of existence. And when we tap into this universal flow, we awaken to the deep knowing that wisdom, guidance, and connection are always present.

So how do we learn to perceive what’s already here?

How do we train ourselves to receive these messages?

Here are some practices that help:

1. Stillness and Presence – Pause. Breathe. Notice. The more we quiet the chatter of our minds, the more we become aware of the subtle movements of the Universe. Stillness isn’t empty, it’s full of whispers waiting to be heard. In the space between thoughts, clarity arrives.
   
   
2. Symbolic Awareness – Pay attention to recurring symbols, animals, and experiences. What’s life showing you again and again? These messages aren’t coincidences; they’re patterns, guiding us toward deeper understanding. Keep a journal of the symbols you encounter. Over time, you’ll begin to see their meaning unfold.
   
   
3. Nature as a Mirror – Walk outside with the intent to listen. What do the trees, the clouds, or the river have to say today? The natural world is a living expression of wisdom. A falling leaf reminds us to surrender. A river teaches us to flow. A storm signals transformation. Nature’s always offering guidance if we take the time to observe.
   
   
4. Dreamwork and Imagination – The unconscious speaks in images and stories. Journal your dreams. Let your imagination play. It’s one of the most powerful ways the Universe speaks. When we engage with our dreams, not just as random events but as messages, we unlock doorways into our own inner knowing.
   
   
5. Trust and Engagement – When a message comes, whether from a dragon in the leaves, a bird at your window, or a phrase that keeps repeating itself, acknowledge it. Reflect on it. Engage with it. The more you listen, the more the Universe speaks. And the more you respond, the more attuned you become to the great conversation happening all around you.

As I prepare to return to the U.S., I’m deeply aware of the energy that awaits me there. The world feels heavy with division, uncertainty, and transformation. It’s easy to be swept into the noise, the distractions, the narratives that keep us separate from our deepest knowing.

But now, more than ever, we must watch for the wisdom that’s seeking us. 

It arrives in moments of stillness, in unexpected encounters, in the language of the world around us.

Anima Mundi is alive and speaking. The question is, will we listen?