Surely there is a continuum of "energies" from mineral to plants, and from animal to man. (If you want to call it that, or think of it that way). As humans at the "top" of these energies, we have great responsibility - so few realize it; although some (those of fine perception) do.
RE: Ear
"Ears" to Van Gogh hey? (By the way, he was also a stonkingly good painter)...