Geese and ducks

Geese and ducks

While Mohanji was still with us visiting us, he advised that we bring geese or ducks onto the land. He explained that they represent the water element, helping to cleanse and balance it — not only for the land itself, but also for the people who feed them and interact with them.

One day, while we were in the programs room with Mohanji and a few visitors, Raja was inside the house with us, curious and slightly nervous because of all the new people. In the middle of this, Paula arrived — unexpectedly — with two geese and two ducks.

At that time, we only had a small fenced area by the back door, which served as a little backyard for Raja. It was pouring rain, but we placed the birds there and immediately began creating a simple shelter for them. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind knocked the cover down, and rain poured over the ducks. They were so small, fragile, and exposed.

Without hesitation, we brought them straight into the house — wrapped in blankets, placed near the fire, and surrounded by warmth and care. We did Mai-Tri for them, holding them gently in love and protection.

Mohanji advised us to keep them indoors for a while, until they recovered, the weather improved, and their proper house was ready. And so, for a time, we found ourselves sharing our home with ducks and geese, alongside deer, a dog, and a cat — cleaning all day long. Mohanji smiled and joked that soon enough, the house would return to normal.

In the beginning, they were very afraid. Trust came slowly. Watching them during those early days was deeply moving — sometimes they sounded as if they were having long, animated conversations, full of chatter and laughter; other times they would sit in complete silence, quietly observing everything around them.

Soon, their outdoor home was ready, and they moved into the open, finally able to feel the ground beneath their feet and the sky above them. From there, a new chapter began.

At first, the geese clearly took charge — confident and bossy, pushing the ducks aside during feeding time. Then, almost overnight, the dynamic shifted. The ducks began chasing the geese away. Only later did we understand why — one of the ducks had laid eggs. With that came a sudden rise in courage. She became fearless and fiercely protective, guarding her eggs with unwavering determination.

In the early days, the geese could be aggressive, and many volunteers felt hesitant feeding them. Mohanji explained that this behavior came from fear and past trauma, and that healing would take time. Slowly — gently — things began to change.

We also noticed something profound: they respond directly to energy. When approached with kindness, softness, and respect, they remain calm and open. But when someone arrives with tension, authority, or a dominating presence, they immediately become nervous and defensive.

Today, their transformation is visible. They are joyful, expressive, and full of life. They adore green salad and cucumbers, and the moment they see us, they come running — sometimes even flying — toward us, happily munching on everything we bring. Feeding time has become a moment of shared joy, and connection.

The geese and ducks are not only guardians of the water element on our land — they are teachers. Through them, we are reminded daily that safety creates trust, gentleness invites healing, and love restores balance — in nature, and within ourselves.