Praying Mantis: The Prophet of Peace

The one who teaches the power of silence and the sacred timing of action

The first time I ever encountered a Praying Mantis, as far as I can remember, was during a rather unusual moment — in a ceremony with the forest medicine Ayahuasca.It was a Sun ritual, celebrated in daylight, when it came and landed on me — I can’t recall whether on my legs or my abdomen — and there it remained, staring at me for a long time.

At first, I must confess I felt some discomfort, afraid that it might suddenly jump on me or attack. In a ceremony, perception expands, and sometimes it feels as though everything around is watching you. I had the impression that the entire moment was being witnessed by all, and a wave of unease came over me — as if I were face to face with a deep truth, being invited to remain serene before it.

It felt like a test: to stay calm, unafraid of the unknown. How could such a small being awaken such a profound sense of awe? Only now, seven years later, do I understand the real meaning of that encounter. The Praying Mantis was showing me a hidden side of myself — a mask I had not yet recognized. Its gaze pierced through every filter and defense I had built. It was both compassionate and penetrating. It did not see form, but essence.

That silent and serene presence observed me with the stillness of one who already understands life. It was as if it looked at me from a state of grace and lightness, inviting me to remember something I had forgotten — trust in life, surrender to the natural flow of things, the peace of simply being.

Little by little, I was comforted by that gentle presence, which told me without words: “Just contemplate.” Soon I realized it was not there by chance. Its gaze carried a message: trust, remain in peace, surrender to the moment.

Years later, the encounter happened again here at the farm, in equally rare and special moments. Its presence radiated deep serenity, a soft strength that emanated courage and loving-kindness. When our eyes met once more, it led me into a profound state of inner stillness — as if, in that instant, I could touch the silence between the notes of the universe. It was a peace so pure it reminded me of Samadhi — the state of divine union.

The Praying Mantis taught me without words. It inspired me to simply be, to trust, and to surrender. To perceive that there is sacred music in silence, and that the truest prayer is the state of loving presence — what I call “a state of grace with all that exists.” The Praying Mantis carries in its form and gestures an ancient wisdom. Its posture, resembling a prayer, expresses communion between the physical and the spiritual worlds — a state of full attention and silent devotion. It is the guardian of stillness and the master of right timing — the one who teaches us to act only when action is born from consciousness, not impulse. As an archetype and power animal, the Praying Mantis represents deep listening, keen vision, and the balance between movement and stillness. It wastes no energy: it observes patiently until the moment becomes ripe. It is the symbol of living meditation — the being who inhabits the present moment in total surrender and divine presence.

Its medicine is that of patience and inner clarity. It invites us to silence the mental noise so we can hear the whisper of the soul. Just as it remains motionless for long periods before striking with precision, it teaches that wisdom is not in haste, but in attunement with the natural flow of existence.

In shamanic tradition, the Praying Mantis is known as the Prophet of Peace — messenger of harmony and balance between worlds. It reveals the power of silence and introspection as tools of healing and transformation. When we connect with its energy, we access a serene lucidity where every action becomes a prayer and every movement is born from inner stillness.

Its presence also reminds us that true power is not brute force but self-mastery. The Praying Mantis acts without aggression yet with firmness; it moves with lightness yet with purpose. It embodies the union of strength and grace, masculine and feminine, action and contemplation.

Encountering a Praying Mantis, especially in moments of introspection or ceremony, is a sign of spiritual alignment. It appears to remind us that the universe speaks through silence, and that the soul blossoms in stillness. Its steady gaze pierces us like a mirror, inviting us to dive into the inner temple — where presence and truth reside.

In its serene dance and attentive gaze, the Praying Mantis reveals the mystery of conscious action — the divine timing to move and the sacred moment to remain still. It is the living prayer manifested in form, the bridge between Heaven and Earth, between sound and silence.

Its medicine leads us toward inner peace and reconnection with essence. It teaches us that serenity is strength, surrender is power, and silence is the dwelling place of divine wisdom.The Praying Mantis is, indeed, the Prophet of Peace — the one who guides us back to the center of the heart, where the creative silence dwells.

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