"In the beginning there was oneness amongst all creation. This gave way to manyness. But now manyness has almost reached its zenith, and it is time to return now to oneness, but a oneness with consciousness, whereas before there was no consciousness or awareness." *
As I sat on the concrete step, within arm’s reach of the toad, its only movement was the noticeable pulsing of its vocal sac, located under its lower jaw. (Later research indicated that this sac identifies a male.) I waited for something to happen. The toad appeared supremely confident and composed, showing no intent to move farther away from my foot. Was it a king, I had wondered—or at least, a toad of equal importance?
Showing its toes
My first word (spoken aloud) had been “Hello,” followed by “Why have you come?” By inner communication, the toad explained that frogs, which are of the classification Amphibia, to which toads also belong,* had wanted to show their appreciation for my earlier writing about them.* But the land where I lived was not currently right for a frog's visit since it was wintertime—dry and colder at night. Instead, this quite old toad, with its ability to talk by vibrations and across different species of creatures, had offered to come.
When I realized that I would need photos as proof of its visit and having correctly intuited that the toad would like its photo taken, especially for my blog, I went back inside and returned with my iPhone. The first shots were dim and blurry. So gradually, I had stepped out the door until I was under the security light, towering over my visitor. Apparently, an authorization by the toad had turned on my flash, as its light suddenly lit the scene. Of the eight photos taken, one of which was its profile, as it had told me it wanted me to see that view, too, I was to delete them one at a time. When only the one you see here remained, the toad explained to me that it was to be that one because its toes showed.
Saying goodnight, I returned to the kitchen. By now, my amazement had turned into gratitude. After a while I checked the step. The toad was still there, in the same place—but by the next look, there were only a few leaves.
My realization is, "Openness to creatures (we too are these) can teach us, face-to-face, what would have been unthinkable until personal experience."
* Meher Baba, April 20, 1933, Kashmir. trustmeher.org/meher-baba-messages/creation and in Ivy O. Duce, How a Master Works, 1st ed. (San Francisco, CA: Sufism Reoriented, Inc., 1975), 451-454.
* Amphibia is a scientific classification that includes both frogs and toads. Within that classification, frogs and toads are the order of Anura. Amphibia are cold-blooded and vertebrates. Frogs live near water, have smooth skin, a narrow body with round eyes that bulge, and long hind legs that help them make long jumps. They have many predators. Toads don't need to live near water, have dry, bumpy skin, have a wide body with oval eyes that don't bulge, and short legs that take small hops. Toads have few predators.
* See Purely Prema, "Oneness: Frogs Part 1," April 1, 2020 and "Oneness: Toad Part 2," April 8, 2020.