I am floating into the scene of two poachers who have taken down a matriarch in the savanna. I'm behind the back of one, feeling his callous brutality as he hacks into her face for his trophy. She is not dead just yet, only unconscious, and I feel her horror and powerlessness over leaving this world and her family. The men are not from Africa; they just work here. Both are small and wiry, working efficiently without emotion other than a slight fear that makes them hurry. They wrap her tusks in heavy cloth and leave under cover of darkness.
Her spirit has left her body. I touch what is left of her face. There is blood everywhere. I am mourning with such a deep grief that the flood of unstoppable tears wakes me up.
Even now, I weep from the memory. The dream was so real, so graphic. Although I have a keen interest in elephant conservation, I have not felt deeply into the heart of ivory poaching before. This feeling fuels my desire to take action, and to inspire you to take action.
The morning after my dream (and the day before my birthday) I went for a hike to sort it out for myself. I prayed on what would be the best way for me to help, beyond the small monetary contributions I do now. My inner-guidance revealed that I should write and share my passion with you. I don't consider myself a political activist. I'm not a scientist or researcher. I'm a mystic that has been called as a guardian for the elephants--the Sacred Elephants. We must stop the sickening ivory trade. Please do not buy antique ivory or even the pseudo-ivory so prevelant in Asian gift shops. Let your love and reverence for elephants show in your support of living elephants, or all we'll have left are the ones in our dreams.
This is the first posting here. It feels slightly vain to be writing to *you* when at this moment, it's just me. But all the same, I know you're out there and that we will meet someday. I welcome that. Please comment on my posts so that I'll know when you've arrived.
Namaste, Jaya.
I have had an affinity to elephants my whole life. I love them. I have an elephant tattoo on my arm. I would do anything I could to help them in their plight. My heart bleeds as I feel the horror that befalls the poached, my heart goes out to each and every elephant alive.
Namaste,
Lois
http://nina-lois.dubtribe.com
Posted by: Lois | May 01, 2006 at 10:52 PM
I'm so interested by your love of elephants and your need to support them and protect them. How anyone could not be in love with large, beautiful, prehistoric-looking animals I do not understand. I promise I won't buy any ivory or pseudo-ivory and I will pass on the word (hopefully reminder) to friends and co-workers.
Thank you, Jaya
Posted by: Jeanette | May 05, 2006 at 06:45 PM
Welcome my ellie-sisters!
I'm so glad you're here. And Jeanette, thanks for making that promise, and yes...teaching the world, one friend at a time.
In spirit,
Jaya
Posted by: Jaya Savannah | May 05, 2006 at 10:40 PM
Hi Jaya,
when I read about your dream I started sobbing. I love elephants, but really I love all animals. I pray all the time that our animal allies can be save from suffering at our hands in any way shape or form.
I commend you for putting up this site and hope that it will inspire more people to take action. Thank you, Corinna.
Posted by: Corinna | May 08, 2006 at 02:52 AM
another manifestation of the suffering inflicted by sleep. i know it intimately well from observing the process of my own eyes open and close. now i am aware of the price the elephant pays. i don't believe that i have ever purchased ivory and now i know that i never will.
Posted by: todd | May 09, 2006 at 10:24 PM
i was actually just searching elephant tattoos and came upon your website. i started crying with joy and happiness, as i read your profile and the passages you wrote. i am in love with elephants at a deep soul level. they touch my heart and light my soul up whenever i see them. my dream is to save the elephants and to love them unconditionally. i am hoping to plan a trip to thailand or africa within the next few years.
you have inspired me in every way with everything that you do. if there is anything i can do please contact me.
Thank you for being Kind, compassionate, inspiring,and loving to all.. especially elephants.
Posted by: katelynne Wolf | March 28, 2008 at 03:22 AM
Dear Katelynne the elephant lover,
Soul sister! Welcome!
Please forgive my delay in responding to your comment. I took a little hiatus from blogging. But I'm grinning from ear to ear at your delightful hello.
Yes, yes, yes. Please do go visit the elephants. I loved my trip to Kenya. Thailand is on my list too, though I'm deeply concerned about how depressing that will be for me. The cruelty of elephants there is astonishing. Don't misunderstand, I do want to go. But I know I will need emotional support while there and probably some time off afterwards in order to process it. The videos and news articles of elephant abuse in Thailand are heartbreaking. That is a REASON to go though. Yes, yes of course it is.
Do stay in touch. I'll get back to blogging soon. Love to hear more from you.
Jaya
Posted by: Jaya Savannah | May 01, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Hello Jaya.
I too came across your blog serendipitously while doing research for a screenplay that features a beautiful Asian elephant I've named Moon.
A heart full of love to you and the elephants.
Ana Maria
Posted by: Ana Maria | June 09, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Hi Ana Maria,
I'd LOVE to hear about your screenplay when you're ready to announce it. Please stay in touch.
Posted by: Jaya Savannah | October 02, 2009 at 02:47 PM
Hi Jaya - i have been to thailand and have seen the good and the bad of the way the elephants are treated. I went to Anantara at the golden triangle and trained as a mahoot. The camp set up there takes the mahoots and their elephants off the streets and provides them with a home for life for them, their families and more importantly the elephants. My elephant is Bo, my mahoot and I linked even tho we didn't speak each others language. Bo could pick me out of a large group of people and leaving her behind broke my heart. I was there for my 50th and spent the day in the mekong river with my elephant playing in the water. She knew instinctively that I have problems with my joints and she would kneel down for me each time so I could ride bare back - no tourist rubbish here - i think of her everyday.
namaste
Trish
Posted by: Patricia Bennett | June 09, 2012 at 09:37 AM