5 Steps to Honor our Oneness with the Animal Kingdom
BY TIM BOTTA
Many New Thought adherents believe that animals are a part of the “everyone” in “a world that works for everyone,” but what are some practical steps we can take to make those beliefs real? Here are five steps we can take to honor our Oneness with the animal kingdom.
- Educate Yourself
We help animals by expanding our consciousness of their Oneness with all creation and our awareness of how they are treated in the real world. The first article in this two-part series concentrated on awareness of the Oneness of animals with humanity and the universe. Awareness can also extend to knowing about the practices and living conditions on farms that raise animals, as well as being aware of the suffering of animals who are abused in various forms of “entertainment,” or of species who face endangerment or extinction. But dwelling on the suffering of animals without taking action can be depressing and demoralizing, and may lead to apathy and cynicism, two states of mind that do not help at all. Awareness and education must be combined with action.
- Educating Others
Once we are aware, we are in a position to bring awareness to others. We act in support of animals by educating the public about the treatment of animals. We can support school programs that educate young people about animal welfare. We can write essays and letters to the editor. In our daily lives, we can educate the people we come into contact with, not by pushing our views on others, but by giving them accurate answers to questions they may have about the treatment of animals.
- Making Conscious Consumer Choices
One form of action is to make conscious choices that benefit animals. Thanks to today’s internet-driven transparency, savvy consumers can research the treatment of animals by corporations and “vote with their wallets” to support or not support these companies. People can make the choice to not support any form of “entertainment” that harms animals, such as some circuses. Many choose to become vegetarian or vegan; those who choose to eat meat can research the conditions and practices on farms and make conscious choices that will “do the least harm.”
- Rescuing and Adopting
Phrases like “Adopt Don’t Shop” and “Who Rescued Whom?” are more than just slogans or hashtags. Adopting a rescued domestic animal, such as a cat or dog, instead of purchasing an animal that came from an abusive puppy mill not only gives that animal an awesome life, but greatly enriches yours as well. Knowing the contrast between the former life your rescued animal companion was living and the happy life they are leading now is highly rewarding and nothing short of amazing. By adopting, we also free up the space and resources for another rescued animal to be adopted. We can support rescue organizations by volunteering, helping out at adoption events or giving other forms of assistance. We can donate our talents to support auctions and other fundraisers for rescue organizations.
- Praying
From prayers for the health of our animal companions, to praying for the rescue of animals from miserable conditions, or for the preservation of species facing extinction due to human intervention, our prayers can make a difference in the lives of animals. We may pray by affirming the Oneness of animals with the universe. We may direct intercessory prayers to figures like Saint Francis or Saints Cosmas and Damian, all known for their care for animals, or perform other kinds of intercessory prayer.
These are just a few suggestions for steps that we can all take to help animals. As with anything else, consciousness and awareness are the first steps in improving the lives of animals and including them in our vision of “a world that works for everyone.” The development of our consciousness to include animals will naturally lead to action — the moment we become aware of the Oneness of animals with humanity and all else, we are inspired to act to improve the lives of animals.I know of a man, the owner of a little shop in the mountains, who fervently prayed for help in rescuing three kittens he found. He was unable to adopt them himself and was considering surrendering them to a shelter. But he continued to pray even more fervently one morning, and that afternoon two cat-lovers who were connected to an animal-rescue organization wandered into his shop, learned about the three kittens, and facilitated the rescue and adoption of all three of them. My friend and I were the two people who wandered by chance into his little shop in the mountains.
Tim Botta is a North Carolina artist, writer and educator with a passion for New Thought. To see his New Thought inspired artwork visit his Behance art site. Says New Thought historian and frequent HarvBishop.com contributor Mitch Horowitz: “Tim Botta’s artwork brings vivid life to some of the most important figures of mystic history – and reveals the mysticism hiding in our ‘everyday’ surroundings. I am proud to display Tim’s prints of spiritual visionaries. His portraits are more than objects of beauty: They show the world what you stand for.”
—Mitch Horowitz, PEN Award-winning author of Occult America and One Simple Idea.
