I’ve been noticing lately that our dog, Lucky, craves being in the same room as us. It’s not that he needs to be in physical contact with us – He just needs to be around us. It’s as if there is some field of energy he desires to be near. I then began noticing how he acts differently around different people – many of whom he has never met. To some he acts guarded. To others familiar. To others energetic and hyper. It seems that there is an invisible energy that he reacts to.

Do animals may have a sense that humans do not? Or is there some sense that humans and animals share but animals are more adept at using? One major difference between humans and animals is the mind. Humans spend a lot of their energy on the mind. Could it be that the energy we spend on our minds dilutes this other sense – a sense that animals seem to so readily access.

The practice of meditation seems to suggest that it may. As many who regularly meditate would attest, by shutting down the mind they are often able to access another sense or their spiritual side. It’s as if the mind and the spirit are inversely correlated.

I’ve noticed that inverse correlation in my life. When I spend too much time thinking I find I easily get frustrated, anxious, competitive, attached and envious. At times, I try to counter this by shutting of my mind. What works best for me is to simply observe – without judgment. Observing is easy. Observing without judgment is not. I almost always find myself putting labels on what I’m observing. So I try to keep it simple. I start by observing nature – I notice the wind. I feel the snow. I see that each tree is unique. I then move on to the birds and animals. I listen to them “talk” and float effortlessly through the air. I notice how they seem to exist in a completely “different” world. I then move on to humans – watching them interact with life. I see them walk, limp, and run. I hear them yell, whisper and lisp. I see some sit and relax. I see others in a state of hurry. I just observe. And, at times, I will notice myself noticing – as if I’m detached.

Often I will notice feelings associated with my observations. With nature the feelings are usually peaceful. With humans, however, the feelings vary depending on the situation – ranging from connection to fear, peace to anxiety, and routine to wonder.

Could it be that these feelings are similar to the invisible energy that Lucky appears to sense? Could it be that by shutting down our minds, we are able to access our sixth sense – A sense that seems second nature to animals?

Try shutting down your mind and just observing life. Observe without judgment. Observing without thinking.

You just may be able to tap into your so-called sixth, animal sense. And if not, well . . . at least you’ll be giving your mind a little rest.

Timothy Velner is a husband, father, attorney and author living in Minneapolis. You can follow his daily blog – a series of discussions between the worry-self and the present-self at – thespiritualgym.me