From Mushin:
How often do you pay attention directly to sentiency? I mean, how often are you aware that a living being, tree or animal, bird, or insect is aware. More likely I may notice my own awareness but not so much how another sentient being might be aware in themselves. But sometimes I am reminded. For example, rounding a corner this morning in the car, I saw eleven crows gathered. They tend to hang out at this same spot each morning. They were all pecking at the pavement; something’s good to eat there, I assume. A wee small squirrel suddenly darted out to the very place in the road I was rolling toward. Even before I went to brake, one of the crows dove at the squirrel and I could swear it was scooting it away from my car. Getting it’s attention and warning it to safety. Noticing how the creatures around us are clearly conducting themselves in relation to conditions, to each other and to us, is a delightful practice available to us anytime. When you notice the breeze carrying a bird that is not even flapping it’s outspread wings, aloft, you can enjoy the living company you keep with all sentient beings. Bird aloft in the insentient breeze. Is that so?