Spiritual
This week: Lions and Tigers and Bears – Yippee! Edited by: SophyBells More Newsletters By This Editor
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Hi, I'm SophyBells ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter.
The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred. |
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Lions and Tigers and Bears – Yippee!
Think of the animal closest to your heart.
Think of the most beautiful animal you’ve ever seen.
Think of the smallest animal you can imagine.
Think of the largest animal you know of.
Think of the strangest-looking animal.
Each of these, in its own way, contributes to that strange mystery of what we call life on planet earth. We are – in some way – attached to all of these animals with whom we share our planet. With some we even share our lives and our homes. Animals teach us to care. They are our companions. They teach us responsibility. Through the care and kindness we show to animals –through every way we are gentle and good to animals— all animals – indeed all sentient beings, we affirm our respect for the interdependent web of all existence. (Maria Kempner)
Gandhi - "I want to realize brotherhood or identity not merely with the beings called human, but I want to realize identity with all life, even with such things as crawl upon earth."
Henry Beston, The Outermost House – "For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complex than ours, they move finished and complete, gifted with the extension of senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth."
We often forget that we too are part of the animal kingdom, as listed in the hierarchy of biological classification’s eight major taxonomic ranks. Humans tend to consider ourselves different, as “human” while we think of them as “animals,” though in truth we are all animals and have much more in common than not, none the least of which is the inherent value of their lives, which are as sacred as ours. Historically for a number of reasons, humans have believed, and thus behaved, as if we are unique among creation and in fact superior to the rest of it, due to our so-called “intellect” and opposable thumbs, I suppose.
This way of thinking is what some ethicists have come to call species-ism, the “ism” label reminding us of racism, sexism and other discriminating “isms.” Species-ism emphasizes difference and separation, as do all “isms,” and involves the assignment of different values, rights, or special consideration to individuals solely on the basis of their species membership. This serves to distance us from the natural world and its many sentient beings, and risks making the world and its creature’s mere objects to be manipulated for our own ends. Species-ism is why some people experiment on rabbits to find the right chemical combination for eye make-up, or fight dogs to the death for their entertainment and financial gain, or chase and murder whales in the southern Arctic ocean or dolphins in Japan – because some think of animals as different, and as less than us.
But this way of thinking couldn’t be further from the truth, which science continues to prove. Jane Goodall writes of her life’s work studying chimpanzees: “It has taught us that the similarities in biology and behavior between chimpanzees and humans are far greater than anyone had supposed. We are not, after all, the only beings with personalities, rational thought, and emotions. There is no sharp line dividing us from the chimpanzees and other apes, and the differences that obviously exist are of degree, not of kind. This understanding gives us a new respect, not only of chimpanzees, but also for all the amazing animals with whom we share this planet. For we humans are part of, and not separate from, the animal kingdom.” (From the Introduction of Hope for Animals and Their World, Jane Goodall)
So as much as some would like to ignore and separate us from this fact, we are very much connected to all of life that is found on this planet we call home, and as a result, in some ways we humans have become like an invasive species that uproots and squeezes out the native species that lived in a specific region. “We are like kudzu that has intertwined itself around and in between the natural landscape of trees and shrubs [in the south], or the rabbit in Australia, with no known natural predator, reproducing at uncontrolled rates and destroying the resources for the native species of that sub-continent,” writes Fred Hammond. Western Christianity’s traditional interpretation of “having dominion over the earth” probably has a lot to do with this. But it hasn’t always been this way. Native peoples and pagans have always recognized and honored our connection to animals and the rest of creation, as have some from the Christian tradition. St. Francis of Assisi is the most famous of these, known as the Patron Saint of animals and the environment, and his feast day is the setting for a “Blessing of the Animals” in many congregations around the world.
During this holy season of the light coming into the darkness, I invite us to wake up, recognize, and embrace our experience with the rest of the world’s creatures and vegetation, instead of seeing ourselves as something “other than,” for we are not separate from nature; we are one and the same with nature. And when we harm our kin – whether through neglect, abuse, or misuse of our resources, we ultimately harm ourselves – our souls as well as our physical well being.
“Our very being on this planet is supported by the myriad of species that live on this planet. From the smallest microscopic virus and amoeba to the largest animal, the Blue Whale in the ocean, all creatures are linked together. And the myriad of species of plants also supports life, not only for other plants but also for other creatures. The Rain Forests of the Amazon have developed a complex interweaving of support for life there. There are plants, insects, animals we have not even yet discovered because their homes are located in the high canopy of these trees. And like the tapestry woven by the sea otter, kelp, and sea urchin, if we pull to remove one these threads, the whole of the tapestry will come undone. And not only the tapestry but everything that uses the tapestry for its own support and survival will vanish. So it becomes an important act for us to acknowledge the animals in our lives. To honor the gifts they offer us. From the songbirds that sing outside our windows regardless of the weather to the comfort we receive from our dogs and cats.” (Fred Hammond)
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Below you'll find some spiritual offerings from other WDC members. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review.
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Now for some comments about my last newsletter {nl:} about Facing our Fears
From katesthename
"Fear not" is a command of Jesus which I quite often break. But if I come to the realization that God Knows every circumstance and situation that I come across, then, instead of focusing on my fear, I focus on His Heart, fear vanishes and Peace consumes me. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing as well!
From THANKFUL SONALI RIP BIKERIDER
Thank you for these insights on fear. I can relate to it and appreciate the comfort your words bring! - Sonali
So glad they were helpful.
Please keep your comments and suggestions coming - and Happy Holidays! SophyBells |
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