1. Regarding Mindfulness
In following up on Charles Eisenstein’s comments presented in the prior essay, mindfulness is a corollary to paying attention. I will argue that mindfulness makes life much richer and enjoyable, and it promotes ethical choices that are liberating for humans, nonhumans, and ourselves. It is tempting to close one’s eyes and cover one’s ears, because there is pain, suffering, and death in the world, including our own. Socrates said the unexamined life is not worth living, and I would say that an unexamined life is profoundly unsatisfying and, at the end of the day, more frightening.
I will touch on several components of mindfulness. The first, which is perhaps the most mundane, relates to knowledge about the world. Humanity’s understanding about the universe is remarkable, in large part because the written word has allowed humanity to build on past insights and discoveries. The vast number of amazing discoveries include the periodic table (and its relevance to chemistry), moving continental plates (and its relevance to geology), the genetic code, the structure and function of neurons, the prevention and treatment of a wide range of diseases, and the force that powers our sun and other stars.
Paying close attention to a small patch of grass, to the sounds in the woods, or to the celestial bodies invites us to regard the world around us with awe and wonder. This naturally leads to a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to have such experience and, for many of us, a desire for future generations to have similar experiences. Preserving nature and humanity’s distinctive contributions to our understanding of nature is a sacred task. I will elaborate on this sentiment in the next essay.
Stephen R. Kaufman, MD
2. From All-Creatures.Org Ministry
All-Creatures.org Newsletter,
November 1, 2023:
Dear Friends,
Happy World Vegan Day! Happy All Saints Day! We hope you enjoy this week’s
newsletter. There is always so very much to share including …
What does World Vegan Day mean? — Tools: guard dogs, pack animals, service
animals, military dogs, police dogs, labor animals — Denmark: governmental
roadmap or plant-based policies — another tiny heart model to replace
animals’ hearts in research — rescue is only the beginning of life-time care
— why animal activists should not talk to the police — neck snares are
simply designed to cause suffering — and more…
All-Creatures.org Newsletter, November 8, 2023:
Dear Friends,
We are so sad to learn of Karen Davis’s passing. Please join us in
lifting her amazing sanctuary and life’s work at UPC up in your prayers. Be
sure read the wonderful words coming in about her in this week’s feature
article in the newsletter. There is always so very much to share including …
Honoring Karen Davis, Animal Rights Activist Extraordinaire! — more Bats
infected with coronavirus — activist jailed for rescuing animals:
#prosecutethis campaign — Bear Na freed from bile horrors — gratitude to
Julia Barnes — Mattie the Rat: is NOT a Doormat [book] — more wild Horses
rounded up, some die — cattle on public land, bad for people, cows, wildlife
— 21 more species declared extinct — and more….
Do you have things that you would like to see included in future newsletters? Then send it to us at veda@all-creatures.org.
In the Love of the Lord,
Frank L Hoffman
All-Creatures.org
and
Kindness,
Tams Nicholson
Executive Directress
All-Creatures.org